Fix Slamming Doors - Striker Door Latch Repair

[HotRodPC]

So how many squarebody slamming doors can you repair for under $3. Anyone want to guess??? I was told about this trick long ago. Finally got frustrated enough today, and I happen to be out and about and dropped in at Lowe's for a piece of plumbing.

This is a 5 foot stick of 1/2 PEX sold in the plumbing dept pre cut. I got it for $1.98 plus tax to a total of $2.14.

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[HotRodPC]

So you cut off a small piece of this pex to make a new stricker bushing. I happen to have a Pex cutter tool, but for the purpose of everyone, I used a hacksaw to cut mine, I might also add, a junky dull ass bent blade at that.


This is likely what your striker looks like since the orignal bushing has long hardened and broken then fallen off.

Yes, A cheap junky dull hacksaw is all you need to cut the pex for length.

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[HotRodPC]

Cut a piece to size, Probably 3/4 of an inch or so. I didn't bother to measure. I eyeballed it for the sake of saving time. Then cut it long ways either with a hack saw if you are coordinated enough, or get some dikes or tin snips, whatever you happen to have and cut it open length ways.

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[89Suburban]

 

[HotRodPC]

Once you get it cut to where it can open up, simply open the piece and put it around the door stricker with the opening facing away from the latch. Very simple. Now close your door with just a little force and watch is shut nicely without slamming it. If it still does not work, then you have other problems like hinge pins or bad latch.

After you get the pex installed, your stricker will look something like this.

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[HotRodPC]

Its a very easy cheap fix. So whoever is good at math. How many squarebody slamming doors can you fix with a 5 ft stick of pex for less than $3???

What??? Did you think this was a how to fix your door thread??? It wasn't. Its a test of your mathematical skills !!!

 

[Old77]

Interesting!!! I'll have to give that a try...

 

[skysurfer]

I never knew there was supposed to be anything there. I've adjusted that striker every which way and still have to slam the doors. Is it possible to pull the strike pin all the way off so the pvc isn't cut? I don't want to loosen it too much and hear something go "clink" as it falls into the bowels of the sheetmetal.

Oh, I should mention a piece of nylon string cuts pvc pipe about as fast as a blade but leaves a nice smooth edge.

 

[89Suburban]

So the extra thickness on the door striker doesn;t affect the latch operation? Did ya have to adjust anything after doing that HR?

 

[HotRodPC]

To be on the safe side and risk losing the stricker, I wouldn move it at all if its tight already.
I don't see anyway to remove the striker to slide it over anyway. I'd imagine its posibble, but I didn't want to move striker at all. As far as adjustment, I didn't do a thing other than place the pex over the striker as pictured and its working absolutley lovely. I now even feel a nice crisp snap when I hit the door button to get in the truck. This little cheap fix will make you think you are getting in and out of a differant truck.

 

[Old77]

Do you think there'd be a way to paint it so that it doesn't stand out so much?

 

[HotRodPC]

Sure if you wanna. But its not much differant than factory. Most don't even realize there is supposed to be a bushing on it in the first place. They come from the factory that way. Really, its not even noticeable.

 

[Old77]

You don't think the white on a dark blue paint would stand out?

 

[HotRodPC]

Guess so if you painted your strickers when you painted the truck. But, really I don't think it'll bother you. Won't know until you try it.

 

[Old77]

Well, I'll try it and see how it goes. The paint would probably end up wearing off