drivers door pops open when driving

blompod Commited Dubber

57 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 26 Dec 2014, 9:31 am

#1005815

its such a pain, gotta constantly keep latching it while driving. The little tongue on the latch is worn I guess but not too bad. There does seem to be very slight up and down play in the door when its open compared to the passanger side which has none. Can the hinges be tightened inside the door or are they welded?

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 26 Dec 2014, 5:13 pm

#1005830

Replace the lock and the striker,the other alternative is a slide bolt which is highly illegal.👍

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Dec 2014, 5:37 pm

#1005832

Mine use to do this but I had a split in the A pillar near the top hinge

Futue te ipsum!!!

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 27 Dec 2014, 1:13 am

#1005847

Does the plastic wedge in the striker plate move freely on it's spring loaded rod? Lube with graphite powder and not a wet lube.

Also, if the plate is too far towards the inner edge of the B-pillar then the door latch 'tongue' can't engage the inner detent of the striker plate.

Gives you a few things to try 🙂

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 27 Dec 2014, 7:01 am

#1005851

When the locks are 'stuffed' there is not much to do but replace them.

One of the doors on my '56 Cabriolet was doing the same thing [Cab. doors 'move about' a lot !]. I replaced both locks with these :-

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111837016B

No more trouble.👍

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

blompod Commited Dubber

57 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 27 Dec 2014, 10:12 am

#1005859

Thanks I'll check it out, is the striker plate position on the body adjustalbe? but if they need replacing where can I get them in Oz? as my supplier Mick Motors is closed for the next three weeks. Vintage Vdub supplies have them but they are literaly twice the price of Micks.

blompod Commited Dubber

57 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 27 Dec 2014, 4:39 pm

#1005868

The striker plate screws were not tight at all so I moved it out a quater inch and tightened them till they bled and now shes fine, no more popping door. Thanks 😀

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 27 Dec 2014, 8:27 pm

#1005882

blompod wrote:The striker plate screws were not tight at all so I moved it out a quater inch and tightened them till they bled and now shes fine, no more popping door. Thanks 😀

Yup, always worth adjusting b4 replacing. Plus if you hold the button in as you close the door and push it to latch it'll reduce wear on the tongue and striker plate detents.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍