new LeBaron door sticks open 3/8"

[BobD]

Hi All,

This is one for the books. I replaced the Door on my GTC convert. The new one came off the same year convertible. Yet, it sticks open 3/8". (maybe only 1/4") I loosened the striker and it's already all the way in. Now I assume there's no way to adjust the latch itself? The old door was flush with the rest of the car. This is weird.
Any ideas? What am I missing?
It was bad enough that all I did to change the doors were to pull the pins. But the two doors were adjusted so differently. I had to really move the hinges a lot.

[ol"blue]

That latch should be adjustable. Check your FSM.

[BobD]

Well, I fixed it. It turns out the striker actually needed to be out further. It was only latching on the first tier of the latch mechanism. It wouldn't reach the final distination. Luckily I asked a friend that does body work on the side. I guess it felt like it was latching properly. I wouldn't have even thought it needed to go the other way. As soon as he said that, a light bulb went off in my head. (a dim one though)

[turbokid]

HAHAHAHA well atleast you fixed it.
I had my hinges bent on my red lebaron and it was a bitch to set the other door but I got it done with me, a milkcrate, and a lot of cussing =)

[BobD]

Quote:

HAHAHAHA well atleast you fixed it. I had my hinges bent on my red lebaron and it was a bitch to set the other door but I got it done with me, a milkcrate, and a lot of cussing =)

Trouble is, the latch works now, but I can't see getting the door at the right height on the hinge side. At least not without making the holes larger on the hinge. I have it up as high as it will go and I believe it should go up at least another 1/8" I didn't realize cars were that "slapped" together. The friend that does body work didn't seem surprised.
But, now back to my GLHS electrical problems.........It never ends.

[ol"blue]

What about adjusting the fender to fit the door?

[BobD]

I can do that, but the way the post above it looks, the door needs to go up a bit. ............I just ran outside to look again. Yes, the piller is up above the door. There is a good 5/16 gap. (eyeballing it) It needs at least a 1/16 less than that, to look better. I think the other side's a bit large, but not that much.