Fix a Car Door that Doesn't Close Properly

C3 Corvette doors are usually loud, sometimes they rattle, or make weird, unwanted noises, and as in this case, they can also get harder to close. In this video, I will cover how to fix a car door that will not close properly.
As you will see, I had to slam the door for it to close. And I hated that.
So I thought that adjusting the striker bolt (or post) would take care of that problem. And it sort of did, but not without compromise. Something I don't care for.
Eventually, I realized that the issue was the striker bolt itself. Fortunately, I had a brand new replacement bolt I had ordered years ago (link below), and even though I had to improvise a bit, it solved my door-closing issue.
In this video I show you, step-by-step, all the adjustments I tried as well as a slight modification I made to the new striker bolt so the door would close easily and without the need to slam it.
I hope you find the video helpful if you are experiencing a similar situation.
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
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CONTENTS
00:01 The Door Won't Close Unless You Slam It.
02:15 Adjusting the Door Striker Bolt
11:35 Compromise? I Don't Think So!
16:08 Installing a New Door Striker Bolt
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GET THE RIGHT DOOR STRIKER BOLT
⭐️ Corvette Door Striker Bolt (correct Allen head): ebay.to/3EqjFCG
CORVETTE PRODUCTS (sponsored)
- 76 Vette Assembly Manual: amzn.to/2GBuHrd
- 68-82 Corvette Manual: amzn.to/3devEEW
- How to Restore Corvette: amzn.to/35B6L0R
- 68-82 Vette Resto Guide: amzn.to/2QvvIG
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on my Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
The repairs and other work I do are for my own benefit and entertainment, and even though my videos may sound and appear to give technical how-to advice, that's not my intention.
Working on a vehicle is inherently dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a licensed mechanic.
#corvettec3 #c3 #c3corvette

[@howelljaynes1292]

I'm going to do this process on a 68. However, rather than a trial and error basis, I plan to cover the striker and the latch opening with a thin layer of modeling clay and then gently touch the door latch to the striker pin to see where the two are first coming in contact, I've had good results using this process to get the hood female latch to match up exactly with the body pins. I buy my modeling clay on amazon.

[@76vette]

It sounds like a good approach as long as the hinges are ok. Mine were borderline at the time and they need bushings and new pins now. These cars are the gift that keeps on giving.

[@OOICU812]

Man that is one CLEAN Vette!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@timtheblacksmith]

Thank you for this! My driver’s side door does the exact same thing and have been wondering why.

[@76vette]

I hope this “fix” works for you. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@marcusjohnson1119]

Beautiful job 👏

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great job! Thank's for sharing!👍

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@daveglover6115]

I have just subscribed to your channel and going through your previous videos, so very interested in your dedication to solve a problem! A bit of oil/grease into the door catch mechanism will also help a lot for it's closure too...

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@christopher4100]

Great video

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@christopher4100]

@@76vette no problem, I have a 74 that needs some adjustment.

[@user-rl6vd1qh7u]

You made my day thanks a lot 🙏🏻

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@alzg8779]

Thank you Luis.....If I get ambitious next season, I might try to adjust both my doors as they are sagging. Take care!

[@76vette]

If they are sagging, you may have to rebuild the hinges. If all they need is to have the striker posts adjusted, consider yourself lucky. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@georgecromerjr2860]

Awesome job!

[@NativeMainer53]

You are extremely patient

[@76vette]

Thanks to video editing I give that impression. I always leave out the part when tools start flying. Lol 😆

[@nahjilife10]

Thanks buddy worked for me. My side cargo door was locked like this….. Work perfectly 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@76vette]

Awesome. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@berttouchard5056]

Adjust the hinges I think that is where your problem is at.

[@carparkinggivawayer3326]

Thx my eldorado was doing the same thing I didn't fix it but thx anyway

[@davidmcmenamin9701]

Great job. Do you think the window alignment against the weatherstripping might have any effect on the closing of the door?

[@76vette]

I am sure that if the glass is not adjusted properly it will have an effect. I had that issue with the passenger side window when I first got the car. The glass was getting caught by the A pillar trim. Also, if the angle of the glass is tilted inward, that may also affect it. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@davidmcmenamin9701]

@@76vette it would be great to see how to adjust the window to make a good seal against the weatherstripping. Thanks again for you great videos.

[@76vette]

Adjusting the glass is one of those PITA projects, and if I ever need to do it, I’ll make a video about it. In the meantime, Problem Solver Garage has a video that includes window adjustment. Actually, he has a great playlist with a ton of videos covering C3 Corvette repairs and maintenance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6qUkJl9mKyHhZY. 😊👍🏻

[@davidmcmenamin9701]

@@76vette thank you for the link. I have a restored 66 C2 convertible. Many of the C3 issues are applicable. Do you know of a video source - link for C2’s? Keep enjoying your beautiful little red Vette.😀

[@76vette]

Mid-Year Mitch: youtube.com/@MidYearMitch 😊👍🏻 Great videos and talent.

[@rodcarty2]

What was the pitch of the original bolt?

[@76vette]

14 😊👍🏻

[@JeffMarcum]

Were the spacers (shims) added later in the car’s life or were shims installed at the factory? If they were installed during production, how many were installed?

[@76vette]

Sorry. No clue but my guess is that they are factory shims. 😊👍🏻