'88 Door Striker

[wdaly]

I have read all the articles as listed in the 'Roster' concerning sagging doors.  My door is getting harder to close - the striker (GM) bolt has wear.  My hinges appear OK according to a Bodyshop guy I know..

I'm considering adjusting the striker bolt very slightly down, but I have never done this before.  I will pre-mark it's location, but I'm concerned about losing the backing plate if I loosen too much.  Any recommendations would be appreciated.  btw - interesting thing / when I removed the inside door panel the door closed way better!

 

Bill D

 

 

[studegary]

It sounds like the striker needs to be moved out slightly, not "down".

[IndyJimW]

Loosen the bolt about a turn and you can move it up, down or in and out. After you have it in position tighten it. I don't think the bolt plate will fall in the door frame, but there is no reason to loosen the bolt that much.

 

Good luck,

Jim

[wdaly]

Update:

OK - I needed moral support on this one and got it.  I loosened the striker with a T-50 Torx  exactly one turn and with the handle of the ratchet wrench tapped it down very slightly and the door is almost like new.  After I put the interior door panel back on I will determine if I may want to adjust the striker further out as well. Was wondering though - should the door latch slightly hit the top of the striker (as I have it), or totally clear it?

 

Thanks for the help!

 

 

[studegary]

The status of your Avanti door makes me wonder what the condition of your torque boxes ("hog troughs") and frame are.  Rust in these areas leads to sagging doors.  

[wdaly]

It's worse than you think - I don't have 'Hog Troughs' but something WORSE.  A convoluted metal system designed to attach the body to the frame that was made to RUST!  I have pieces (chunks) falling off from time-to-time, and I'm missing at least one body mount (found the bolt lying on the garage floor one day years ago).  I'm talking about the '87-88 Monte Carlo frames.  

 

Bill D

[studegary]

3 hours ago, wdaly said:

It's worse than you think - I don't have 'Hog Troughs' but something WORSE.  A convoluted metal system designed to attach the body to the frame that was made to RUST!  I have pieces (chunks) falling off from time-to-time, and I'm missing at least one body mount (found the bolt lying on the garage floor one day years ago).  I'm talking about the '87-88 Monte Carlo frames.  

 

Bill D

I was afraid that that may be the case.  I didn't see what year your Avanti is in this thread/topic.  I can only suggest trying to make repairs to the rusted areas to prevent further failure. 

I purchased a 1987 Avanti new, but no longer have it.  From a dealer in NJ it came to me in NY, then a dealer in AZ and a new buyer in NV (I don't know if he still has it.).  If yours spent most/all of its life in WI, I can understand the rust issue.    

[wdaly]

Bought it brand new from the sole WI Dealer - a Lincoln/Mercury dealer.  It is driven 24/7 except early on for one Winter and again one year off (2010-11) as I was replacing the heater core, windshield (which I broke trying to remove the dash to replace the core), and right 'A' pillar (which I discovered was totally rusted thru while replacing the windshield)!!!!!!!!!  Yeah..............  I have tried various treatments, but it is hopeless. We're talking body-OFF.  I know one of our members from New Zealand has done this //// but I can't afford it.

Bill D