Update. I’ve adjusted the door to finally latch with good hard push but not slam. I still believe the problem is the rear spring in the latch mechanism. I believe it puts inward pressure on the lever that locks the jaws giving it a more aggressive bite. Otherwise the lever still locks but by gravity only. If I’m correct then I’m sure a few people have lost this spring and think the door is out of adjustment. I’ll be on the hunt for one. If anybody on here has one off their door I’d appreciate them looking at the rear spring to confirm.

Thanks

MikeB wrote on Thu, 22 April 2021 08:50

Update. I’ve adjusted the door to finally latch with good hard push but not slam. I still believe the problem is the rear spring in the latch mechanism. I believe it puts inward pressure on the lever that locks the jaws giving it a more aggressive bite. Otherwise the lever still locks but by gravity only. If I’m correct then I’m sure a few people have lost this spring and think the door is out of adjustment. I’ll be on the hunt for one. If anybody on here has one off their door I’d appreciate them looking at the rear spring to confirm.

Thanks

This update is in case someone does a search.

Bob Burkitt looked at his latch assembly and we confirmed that mine did have a broken spring. That spring does put tension on the locking lever. If your door is not latching properly you may want to check this part before adjusting or bending your door.

It will latch without the spring but only because of gravity AND it may unlatch if you hit a bump on the road. The best description I can make between a good spring and broken would be as follows.

The jaws on the broken assembly will lock but the action is more passive like wire snare trap. It takes more action by the prey. The jaws on a sprung assembly will react like bear trap. It just takes minimal action and the jaws grab and pull and hold the prey (striker pin).

When I find and install a properly working latch assembly I’ll update on my results.

Thanks again to Bob.

MikeB wrote on Sat, 01 May 2021 09:18

MikeB wrote on Thu, 22 April 2021 08:50

Update. I’ve adjusted the door to finally latch with good hard push but not slam. I still believe the problem is the rear spring in the latch mechanism. I believe it puts inward pressure on the lever that locks the jaws giving it a more aggressive bite. Otherwise the lever still locks but by gravity only. If I’m correct then I’m sure a few people have lost this spring and think the door is out of adjustment. I’ll be on the hunt for one. If anybody on here has one off their door I’d appreciate them looking at the rear spring to confirm.

Thanks

This update is in case someone does a search.

Bob Burkitt looked at his latch assembly and we confirmed that mine did have a broken spring. That spring does put tension on the locking lever. If your door is not latching properly you may want to check this part before adjusting or bending your door.

It will latch without the spring but only because of gravity AND it may unlatch if you hit a bump on the road. The best description I can make between a good spring and broken would be as follows.

The jaws on the broken assembly will lock but the action is more passive like wire snare trap. It takes more action by the prey. The jaws on a sprung assembly will react like bear trap. It just takes minimal action and the jaws grab and pull and hold the prey (striker pin).

When I find and install a properly working latch assembly I’ll update on my results.

Thanks again to Bob.

Please let us know what you used for a replacement spring and where you got it. I have the same problem that I've been working on for the last 5 yrs or so. 1st catch works but not 2nd. So frustrating. Can't tell you how much time I've spent on that thing. TIA