73 doors rattle when closed

msco123 · July 18th, 2009, 12:27 PM

I have to slam the crap out of the doors on my 73 supreme to shut them and after they are shut, they do not firmly close. You can still rattle them back and forth about 1/4 inch. Any suggestions?

1973olds98 · July 18th, 2009, 02:40 PM

U need to move your striker bolt in so it pulls the car door in closer,,Had the same problem...mark the location of where the bolt is now,,Losen it up and move it back just a little and then tighten it and test the door out..Adjust until u have no play in the door when it is closed..

msco123 · July 18th, 2009, 02:53 PM

Thanks for your help!

csstrux · July 18th, 2009, 06:59 PM

Almost sounds like the bushings in the hinges might be going as well. Does the door sag when you open it?

msco123 · July 18th, 2009, 07:05 PM

No, I don't really notice any door sagging.

Lady72nRob71 · July 18th, 2009, 08:43 PM

How does the rubber seals and bumpers look all around the door? If it is all rotted, compressed, or partially gone, door rattles will be evident when going over bumps.

After replacing the half-missing rotted seals on my old Ford, i was amazed at what weatherstripping does for structual integrity...

msco123 · July 19th, 2009, 06:13 AM

Yeah, window/door seals are shot. So I have ordered replacements.

Lady72nRob71 · July 19th, 2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msco123

Yeah, window/door seals are shot. So I have ordered replacements.

Cool!
Adjust the striker so that when closed, the door panel is flush with the quarter panel.

After seal replacement, the door will be VERY hard to get shut for a few weeks until all the rubber had had time to compress down. This is normal.
The doors will then close very solidly - you will like it.

msco123 · July 19th, 2009, 10:16 AM

Great advice, guys! Thanks again.

Olds64 · July 20th, 2009, 07:44 AM

As Chad mentioned you should probably rebuild the hinges on your car, especially if it is a 2 door. After 30 years the bushings and pins get worn out and the doors sag even if you can't tell. Actually, I would think this would be your main problem, not a misadjusted latch. FWIW, I would go ahead and do both. Adjust the latch, and replace the hinge pins and bushings. You can usually get kits from the HELP section at your local auto parts store to rebuild the hinges. It is less than $20.

1973olds98 · July 20th, 2009, 11:48 PM

My were doing the same thing and I changed the bushing and pins and the problem remained..After adjusting the striker the problem was resolved..I did have some up and down play in the door though before i changed the bushings and pins

July 18th, 2009, 12:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
msco123 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 46	73 doors rattle when closed I have to slam the crap out of the doors on my 73 supreme to shut them and after they are shut, they do not firmly close. You can still rattle them back and forth about 1/4 inch. Any suggestions?

July 18th, 2009, 02:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
1973olds98 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 215	U need to move your striker bolt in so it pulls the car door in closer,,Had the same problem...mark the location of where the bolt is now,,Losen it up and move it back just a little and then tighten it and test the door out..Adjust until u have no play in the door when it is closed.. Last edited by 1973olds98; July 18th, 2009 at 02:43 PM..

July 18th, 2009, 06:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
csstrux Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Janesville wisconsin Posts: 1,659	Almost sounds like the bushings in the hinges might be going as well. Does the door sag when you open it? __________________ Chad Greed: in psychology is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth

July 18th, 2009, 08:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lady72nRob71 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 1,916	How does the rubber seals and bumpers look all around the door? If it is all rotted, compressed, or partially gone, door rattles will be evident when going over bumps. After replacing the half-missing rotted seals on my old Ford, i was amazed at what weatherstripping does for structual integrity... __________________ -Rob Young 1972 Cutlass Supreme Convertible (442 clone) -"Lady" (My mistress...) http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalbum/sets/ 1986 Cutlass Supreme Coupe - "Pristine" 1978 Ford (Old Faithful) a.k.a. "the Tramp" 1997 Cadillac STS (for sale - too many cars!) 1999 Harley Davidson Sportster - "the Freedom Machine"

July 20th, 2009, 07:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	As Chad mentioned you should probably rebuild the hinges on your car, especially if it is a 2 door. After 30 years the bushings and pins get worn out and the doors sag even if you can't tell. Actually, I would think this would be your main problem, not a misadjusted latch. FWIW, I would go ahead and do both. Adjust the latch, and replace the hinge pins and bushings. You can usually get kits from the HELP section at your local auto parts store to rebuild the hinges. It is less than $20. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

July 18th, 2009, 02:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
msco123 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 46	Thanks for your help!

July 18th, 2009, 07:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
msco123 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 46	No, I don't really notice any door sagging.

July 19th, 2009, 06:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
msco123 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 46	Yeah, window/door seals are shot. So I have ordered replacements.

July 19th, 2009, 10:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
msco123 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 46	Great advice, guys! Thanks again.

July 20th, 2009, 11:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
1973olds98 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 215	My were doing the same thing and I changed the bushing and pins and the problem remained..After adjusting the striker the problem was resolved..I did have some up and down play in the door though before i changed the bushings and pins

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