Reproduction door latch quality? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HD2000 · 09-29-2006, 10:30 PM

Has anyone out there installed any reproduction door latch assemblies?
Any feedback (good or bad) on the quality?
I've taken mine out and cleaned and lubed it but I still can't make it work with my newly installed power door locks. It has a bit of a sticking point in the lock mechanism that can be overcome by doing a bit of a double push by hand but the power lock actuator isn't capable of the "double push" technique.
So - I am wondering if I should break down and buy a new latch or if I should be scouring the wrecking yards thios weekend.
Thanks

WTB3 · 09-29-2006, 11:02 PM

the latches I bought from The Truck Shop seem to be of pretty good quality, and they fit well, everything matches up, but they are really stiff, I also put power locks in mine and the actuator is not powerful enough to move the stiff latches, so I am still having problems with mine

I think if you found them in a junkyard though they could be warn and have a bunch of different problems

Aarons72s · 09-30-2006, 12:31 AM

You might find a good used set in the classifieds. Check it out.

HD2000 · 09-30-2006, 12:32 AM

Given that I may have issues with new ones... I figured my existing latch warranted a second look. Took it out (again) and figured out where the issue was. A little bending and tweaking and it seems to be working ok now. Too much play between the levers (the one operated by the inside handle and the one operated by the outside handle). The "inside" lever wasn't returing all the way and causing binding with the lock mechanism.

**Bob B.** · 09-30-2006, 03:45 AM

I bought a pair, primarily because my originals were rusty, and it looked just about impossible to take them apart to re-plate them. The other issue with my originals was that they were worn and wouldn't really close tight unless you adjusted the striker plate too far in, and of course then the door didn't line up.... Anyway, the reproductions are very nice and function perfectly.

junkyardjohn · 09-30-2006, 09:20 AM

ON THE TRUCK THAT I'M BUILDING (A 72 SHORT FLEET) I FOUND A NOS PASS. SIDE LATCH & BOUGHT A REPRO. DRIVERS SIDE. (I BOUGHT IT OFF OF A MEMBER HERE. CAN'T REMEMBER WHO) ANYWAY THE REPRO. HAD A MUCH BETTER FIT, FINISH & FUNCTION. I DON'T SAY THAT ABOUT MANY REPOP PARTS, BUT IT WAS TRUE ABOUT THIS PART. THEY BOTH SEEMED STIFF TO THE POINT OF LOCKING UP. AFTER A GOOD SCRUBBING IN THE PARTS WASHER & LUBING WITH SOME AEROSAL WHITE LITHIUM GREASE & PUTTING IN A VISE (BY THE MOUNTING TABS

) & DRY FIRING IT ABOUT 100 TIMES IT LOOSENED UP QUITE A BIT. I WOUND UP SELLING THE NOS LATCH ON EBAY & BUYING ANOTHER REPOP.

JOHN

Bob Moore · 09-30-2006, 11:47 AM

If you look at factory power locks in GM cars, they often times use leverage rather than direct linkage. I don't think it's bad latches - I think it may be a lack of leverage.

HD2000 · 09-30-2006, 12:03 PM

In my case the power actuators are now working perfectly after tweaking the passenger side latch (drivers side worked fine as soon as I bolted it in). I have the kit from A1-Electric (MES central locking kit if memory serves).

09-29-2006, 10:30 PM	#1
HD2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 43	Reproduction door latch quality? Has anyone out there installed any reproduction door latch assemblies? Any feedback (good or bad) on the quality? I've taken mine out and cleaned and lubed it but I still can't make it work with my newly installed power door locks. It has a bit of a sticking point in the lock mechanism that can be overcome by doing a bit of a double push by hand but the power lock actuator isn't capable of the "double push" technique. So - I am wondering if I should break down and buy a new latch or if I should be scouring the wrecking yards thios weekend. Thanks

09-29-2006, 11:02 PM	#2
WTB3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 84	Re: Reproduction door latch quality? the latches I bought from The Truck Shop seem to be of pretty good quality, and they fit well, everything matches up, but they are really stiff, I also put power locks in mine and the actuator is not powerful enough to move the stiff latches, so I am still having problems with mine I think if you found them in a junkyard though they could be warn and have a bunch of different problems __________________ '65 Chevy 1/2 ton Longbed '71 Chevy 1/2 ton Longbed

09-30-2006, 12:31 AM	#3
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,670	Re: Reproduction door latch quality? You might find a good used set in the classifieds. Check it out.

09-30-2006, 12:32 AM	#4
HD2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 43	Re: Reproduction door latch quality? Given that I may have issues with new ones... I figured my existing latch warranted a second look. Took it out (again) and figured out where the issue was. A little bending and tweaking and it seems to be working ok now. Too much play between the levers (the one operated by the inside handle and the one operated by the outside handle). The "inside" lever wasn't returing all the way and causing binding with the lock mechanism.

09-30-2006, 03:45 AM	#5
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,349	Re: Reproduction door latch quality? I bought a pair, primarily because my originals were rusty, and it looked just about impossible to take them apart to re-plate them. The other issue with my originals was that they were worn and wouldn't really close tight unless you adjusted the striker plate too far in, and of course then the door didn't line up.... Anyway, the reproductions are very nice and function perfectly. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

09-30-2006, 09:20 AM	#6
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	Re: Reproduction door latch quality? ON THE TRUCK THAT I'M BUILDING (A 72 SHORT FLEET) I FOUND A NOS PASS. SIDE LATCH & BOUGHT A REPRO. DRIVERS SIDE. (I BOUGHT IT OFF OF A MEMBER HERE. CAN'T REMEMBER WHO) ANYWAY THE REPRO. HAD A MUCH BETTER FIT, FINISH & FUNCTION. I DON'T SAY THAT ABOUT MANY REPOP PARTS, BUT IT WAS TRUE ABOUT THIS PART. THEY BOTH SEEMED STIFF TO THE POINT OF LOCKING UP. AFTER A GOOD SCRUBBING IN THE PARTS WASHER & LUBING WITH SOME AEROSAL WHITE LITHIUM GREASE & PUTTING IN A VISE (BY THE MOUNTING TABS ) & DRY FIRING IT ABOUT 100 TIMES IT LOOSENED UP QUITE A BIT. I WOUND UP SELLING THE NOS LATCH ON EBAY & BUYING ANOTHER REPOP. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

09-30-2006, 11:47 AM	#7
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: Reproduction door latch quality? If you look at factory power locks in GM cars, they often times use leverage rather than direct linkage. I don't think it's bad latches - I think it may be a lack of leverage. __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

09-30-2006, 12:03 PM	#8
HD2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 43	Re: Reproduction door latch quality? In my case the power actuators are now working perfectly after tweaking the passenger side latch (drivers side worked fine as soon as I bolted it in). I have the kit from A1-Electric (MES central locking kit if memory serves).



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