Striker plate problems, Please help!

[Lowriderlad]

Hello there, Im having some major issues with the doors on my morris saloon. One door at the rear closes but with a slight bump it flicks open about 2cm and stays there. I have tried locking it and this makes no difference. The other rear and one of the front doors close but dont catch except for on this "Second" part of the latch. Do I need new striker plates? If so I have looked on ESM morris and they sell the striker plates but they dont look the same as the ones on my car. ESM's are thin chrome bars with just the catch on mine theres far more metal and what look like guides either side of the plate itself. What do I do im completely confuzzled!

[MarkyB]

Has anything been changed like the draught strips etc?

You can put some masking tape over the hole that a pin goes into and the latch on the post to see what is happening when the door is shut.
Then it should just be a matter of adjusting the striker plate to make it all work better.

[polo2k]

try some penetrating oil on the bit thats attached to the car as there is a little piece that slips out and catches the door.

[polo2k]

yopu can see it here

[Neil MG]

Have you tried adjusting the striker? The part attached to the body that the door latches against.

I know it's stating the obvious, but it can be moved in and out so that the door closes on the second latch (first latch being when the door is slightly open) without slamming, but cannot be pushed further in when closed. Just slacken the two screws and move in or out re-tighten and check the door. Just a bit of trial and error. Same with the locating peg ring; move the ring so that the peg locates smoothly.

One thing for smooth door operation is that the door has to be adjusted on the hinges to close centrally in the aperture. As the hinges wear the door drops and is then located by the peg and ring. This leads to poor closing and wearing of the peg/ring,

Normally the drivers door suffers most as it is used more than the others.

It sounds like your strikers may have come slightly loose and been pushed back into the body, just need moving back to their original position. Either that or you have just fitted new door seals!

[Lowriderlad]

No, I didnt realise they were adjustable Silly me, I will have a go tommorow evening and will let you know how I get on. And I havent fitted new seals.

[phurn]

I had a similar problem, my door catches had become loose and slid back, as has been mentioned. Tbh I didn't notice till I felt a drafty shoulder!