79 trans am door adjustment

[danp76]

I'm reinstalling doors on a 79 trans am I painted. I have the body lines looking good from rocker to quarter panel. (some heavy doors!) When I install the striker pin, and close the door there door closes all the way but I can grab the door and there is play in and out as if it's loose on the striker pin or latch. I can wiggle the door in and out with it fully closed as if the latch isn't completely grabbing properly...worn striker pin? ...I did try a new aftermarket stainless striker pin and it actually jammed the door closed and I couldn't even open the door, had to remove hinge bolts to get the door back off...any ideas?...should i stick with the original type striker pins? are the originals worn? or ?

 

[Bob Hollinshead]

Some of the aftermarket strikers are just plain junk, if you have the type with the thin sheetmetal roller toss them. If your door isn't latching all the way you probably have the striker in too far-adjust it out some as the latch is probably engaging on only the first stage. GM designed the latch so you can reach inside the door and loosen and tighten the striker through the latch-that may help get you close if you get it to latch and loosen the striker enough to move the door where it needs to be and tighten the striker. Those thin plastic washers under the striker washers will save your paint while you slide it around. Those doors and windows suck to adjust. Make sure your door is perfectly adjusted and opens and closes good before installing the striker. The striker's job is not to pull the door into alignment-it is only there for keeping the door closed.