Morris Minor Owners Club

After owning the car for a few months now and keeping all the tools etc; in the boot, I've just discovered that it doesn't lock..... Well, it does but you can still open it.
I discovered this by accident today, the lock is working perfect but moves slightly enabling the boot lid to be lifted, I moved the stricker plate as far as it would move but it's still the same..........
Any ideas would be appreciated.
thanks Mal

Sometimes they have/need washers placed underneath where the bolts go to raise it a fraction my saloon has these after-market extras fitted, and at least you handle locks many dont do that either.

Is the striker plate or the latch quite well worn? Normally you can move them a bit but not enough to unlatch it - therefore I wonder if this is down to excess wear - if so both parts are easy to remove/change.
If it is because you get too much roation in the handle - then it may be a sign that the handle/lock mechanism are a bit past their sell by date.

thanks Kevin for reply, will try that ..

Thanks for your reply Ray.. Not a great deal of movement in the handle when locked so I wonder if it's the stricker plate.. I have carefully elongated the mounting holes and moved it further over, doesn't make any difference. The chap I bought the car off told me he'd used a repair pannel on the lower boot, could this be the cause ? Mind it's a good job, you can't see the join. welcome any further advise.
thanks Mal

the repair panel shouldn't really be the problem - the latch mechanism should have a spigot/stud sticking out which aligns it with the striker plate and therefore other than distorting the bootlid a bit (ie making it easy or difficult to close the boot) the latch and the striker plate should align with the spigot.
You can normally tell if the striker plate is worn by eye but comparing it to others (eg at a rally) is often a good way to spot what (if anything) is different.

Mal, I have the same problem on my 4-door. Mine has the original boot surround but a different bootlid (from a police car). The only way I thought to see what's going on is to remove the rear seat and wooden boot boards and watch it with a torch when someone was closing it from the outside.

I have also tried replacing both sections with other parts but I have the same problem.

I have tried re-aligning mine from the outside with no luck so I think the examination method is the only way............... when I get round to it!

Thanks for your help in this matter, Have tried Kevins suggestion re; washers... doesn't seem to make much difference.

Can't really see any excessive wear on the spigot Ray, but I think I'll just leave it for the time been ( till the weathers warmer) and then have a go at Cam's suggestion. I think really it's only an alignment prob; if not I'll compare with others when the season starts and replace as nec;
thanks Mal

Fixed mine now!! The upper part was quite worn and the lower part was slightly misaligned (and also worn).

I replaced the upper (bootlid part) with a less worn one and moved the lower striker as far to the left as it will go. I also moved it a little towards the apature lip as it was difficult to get it to shut without slamming it!

Now it shuts fine and although the handle does allow a little rotation when locked it is not enough to open the boot!