Locking the door????

[Andy4639]

Ok so I have been rebuilding my 68 step side and yesterday I got the drivers side door back together, but I can not get the door to lock once I close it. It works fine when the door isn't shut but it's like it's hitting something when the door is closed. I worked on it for 2hrs adjusting the door stricker and latch but nothing helped.
What am I missing? The passenger side shut just fine and I can lock it with no problem.
You think it's the latch could just be worn out? I guess I should have bought them new to.

[Willys_MB]

I have a similar issue on my 68. I haven't spent the time to fix it, but if I put all my body weight on the door and get it to close the last 1/8" it locks just fine. If you've got new weather stripping on that might be an issue? Have you tried leaning on the door to get it to lock?

[maverickmk]

Loosen the catch on the door frame and move it out a little bit and see if that doesn't help some.

[Andy4639]

I did all the adjustments I could think of. I even loosened the door latch assembly screw to see if that would help. It didn't! I didn't try leaning on it though. I hope that will get it. As stated I worked 2-hrs on it yesterday and finally called it a day. It was the end of the day and I just got tired of it. I will try again another day.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

I did all the adjustments I could think of. I even loosened the door latch assembly screw to see if that would help. It didn't! I didn't try leaning on it though. I hope that will get it. As stated I worked 2-hrs on it yesterday and finally called it a day. It was the end of the day and I just got tired of it. I will try again another day.

I did all those things too!
Had the latch out of the door several times too.
Finally just bit the bullet and replaced the latch.

[Sheepdip]

The drivers door on Otis does the same thing, I just give it a nudge inward while turning the key and it locks fine, it unlocks with ease and no issues. I've adjusted, lubed and cussed.
I figure it has something to do with the little arm on the key barrel being just a little too long.....I just live with it.

[tdangle]

it has to do with the pawl and star wheel. There some posts about it, I don't remember exactly what I had to do, but I believe it was filing a bit of metal off of the pawl to get it to set in the star correctly or something like that

I think I found it: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...door+wont+lock

[Chevys4life]

I have the same problem that I just discovered when I tried to lock the driver's door on mine. I have not had the time to see what was going on too!!!

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by tdangle

it has to do with the pawl and star wheel. There some posts about it, I don't remember exactly what I had to do, but I believe it was filing a bit of metal off of the pawl to get it to set in the star correctly or something like that

I think I found it: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...door+wont+lock

Thanks I read it. If I pull it out to do this I'll buy a new one and replace it.Thanks for the post though at least I know now it's not something stupid easy I missed.

[mr.precision]

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

The drivers door on Otis does the same thing, I just give it a nudge inward while turning the key and it locks fine, it unlocks with ease and no issues. I've adjusted, lubed and cussed.
I figure it has something to do with the little arm on the key barrel being just a little too long.....I just live with it.

Same here on my '67. You won't adjust this problem away.
Wear and tear on the pawl and star wheel. Either replace or just live with it.

[special-K]

I never had this problem. I'm wondering why some material would be need to be filed off the pawl. It must be when new door seals are installed?. I mean, how does the pawl get longer? BTW, if these are dumb questions it's because I didn't read the thread in the link. Just read through this thread which left me wondering

[randy500]

Read the door locking problems explained thread that is linked in my signature line. Your latch is worn out. You cna modify it to work better or buy a repro latch they work well.

NEVER buy a used latch and expect it to work properly, they are all worn out and very difficult to bench test.

[randy500]

Sorry, didnt notice someone linked my writeup...
I ground the pawl on my 72 k10 i restored last winter, works pretty well but not quite perfect. Needs just a little more grinding i think. On that one if you push the door handle when locked it releases the latch partially and the lock pawl hangs up,slightly making the key difficult to turn.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by randy500

Read the door locking problems explained thread that is linked in my signature line. Your latch is worn out. You cna modify it to work better or buy a repro latch they work well.

NEVER buy a used latch and expect it to work properly, they are all worn out and very difficult to bench test.

Thank's Randy500,

It's a pain to take it back out also after just installing it so yes if I take it out it will be to replace it with a new one for sure!

[Andy4639]

I ordered a new latch so I will be swapping it out next week. I will install the right side also, I got all new keys and door locks for it also.

[lil hoodlum]

I replaced the door weather stripping in my truck around 9 years or so ago. I still have to "push in" the driver side door with my knee to lock the door. I also adjusted the door as much as I could to little to no avail. I also heard the pawl and star wheel were the culprits. I had bought a new latch assembly from LMC at the time and it made no difference for my driver door.

[geezer#99]

The one I had trouble with I found the star wheel centre pin worn out. Star wheel would twist out of alignment.

[Andy4639]

Well we will findout later this week what is up. I will head over to the shop in a bit to work on the passenger side and pull the drivers side back out to wait on the new one.

[Andy4639]

I installed the new right door latch and it works great. No door adjustment at all. Thank goodness. The drivers side should be here Wednesday. I'll get it swapped also. Got over to the shop and started to put the passenger side door back together and forgot the window!! I had everything else though, vent window rubbers regulator everything but the dang window! Tomorrow another day.
So I decided I would work on the wiring a bit. Got the purple wire ran over to the starter. Got the wiper switch wires ran to the other side of the cluster. Got to strip out the resistor wire for the HEI hook up.

[maverickmk]

Nice. I just ordered a new latch because the one on my left door is acting stupid and not working more than it is working.

[Andy4639]

New drivers door latch installed and it's working great. Can lock the door with the key and I didn't have to adjust it any! I'm happy and surprised.