Rattling Door

[Joe Flanagan]

The passenger door on my 49 Plymouth rattles pretty badly. It looks like the piece on the jamb needs to move inward quite a bit but there doesn't seem to be any way to do that. Also, I looked in my manual at the section on making body adjustments but it doesn't have any information on adjusting how the doors close. I don't have this problem on the other three doors. Any suggestions?

[Johnny S]

Joe do you have a copy of the Service Reference Book called "Body Fitting Facts" ... Volume 3 number 1 ???     That should help ...... I can send you a copy. 

 

John

Edited May 5, 2015 by Johnny S

[Joe Flanagan]

Doesn't sound familiar, John. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

Joe, first things first...when looking at the rotor of the latch, can you easily move it a bit with your fingers with the door open?  AND will it rotate easily if you hold the door latch in open position...if rotates easily but will not lock into position..chances are you need to clean it real good and lubricate it...the inside part of the rotor is secured by a split spring..the inside portion of the rotor wear quite a bit but will continue to latch the door rotor anyway, surprisingly, they just need to be cleaned and well lubricated..

 

If you did not super clean these when you worked the car, I would suspect a good cleaning now may well fix your problem.  If not, you can still get the rotor repair kits..but again, be sure all the old dried caked up grease if removed from the assembly

[_shel_ny]

Does adjusting the "door lock striker plate" help. Captive nuts on the back of the door post. It floats.

 

If after checking as Tim suggested, and you find the problem to be with the rotor, you can replace the whole assembly with the same door position parts DPCD 49-52.

Edited May 5, 2015 by shel_ny

[Joe Flanagan]

Thanks for the responses. Shel, I did not try to adjust the striker plate because it didn't look adjustable. Plus there is no picture in my manual like the one you posted, so I assumed there was no adjustment there. But I will give that a try. If that doesn't work, I will try Tim's suggestion of cleaning the rotor assembly. Thanks again, everyone.

 

Joe

[Ulu]

While the door is open, check for loose hinge pins too. They have a tenancy to pop up a bit and then the door can rattle & close funny.

 

If you open the door & can lift the "tail" of the door up and down a bit without the car moving, you've got a loose hinge.

 

Clean the rotor and striker up well before making adjustments. Otherwise caked lube can throw the adjustment off.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Ulu

[Johnny S]

Joe ... couldn't figure out how to post a *.pdf here so sent it direct .........

[Joe Flanagan]

Thanks, John.