I'm hoping someone can help solve a door latch issue on my 77 442.

Both the driver and passenger doors do not fully latch when closed. The door hinges are tight and the doors don't sag. The strikers have only normal wear. And the rubber seals around the door seems to be in good shape. Can the door latches be repaired? Is there a source for replacement latches?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Fred

 

You say normal wear on the strikers but the most common problem is the striker. Are the grey plastic things still around the striker bolt? Missing all the time and that's why the doors don't latch tightly. They are actually called silencers and were recently still available thru GM parts in bag of 10 (enough to do five cars).

 

I wasn't aware of the silencers missing from the striker bolts but it seems neither striker bolt has one. I will check with my local GM parts store to see if they are still available. If so, hopefully that will remove the play in the doors. In any case it will be cheaper to start with the silencers before laying out for new latches!

Thanks so much for your help.

Fred

 

You have to remove the strikers to replace the silencers. Another alternative though more costly is to replace the whole striker as they are now being reproduced correctly I believe. Try Fusick or another Olds parts source. I'll try dig out my bag later tonight for the silencer part number for you.

 

Thanks. I'll check out fusick and some others too.

 

silencer, part number 9601752
Got mine in a bag of ten from a Chevy dealer. I'd think any GM dealer could get them or search the part number on the good ole interweb. You need these for your doors to latch properly.

 

thanks. I'll check with my local chevy dealer.

 

I want to thank both JWSOLDS and TEXXAS for your help on my door latch issues. I contacted my Chevy Dealer with the part number provided.

The silencers arrived today and when installed corrected my door closure problems. Now my door close like new! So thanks to JWSOLDS for alerting me to the silencers and to TEXXAS for sharing the part number. Even the Chevy guys were surprised the part was still available!

Fred

 

FRed, You're welcome, I'm glad this fixed your door problems. As far as those "Chevy Guys" they're easily impressed.
Got any pictures of your 77 442?

 

Here are pic's of my current projects. I am currently restoring the white one which was originally purchased as a parts car for the brown car. But it was too good to part out.

 

Ah yes, I'm well familiar with the parts car that ends up being too good too use for parts. I ended up with two 79 Olds 403 powered Pontiac Trans Ams this way. The parts car was nicer than the one I was looking to fix up, now I have two. Nice cars, I'm glad you're saving both.