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MG MG Y Type - Door striker plates

Having more or less overcome door closing problems caused by modern seals am still troubled by one rear door tending to come ajar onto the safety catch when on the move even though I've adjusted the striker plate as far as it will go. Grateful to know whether anyone has had this problem and can offer a solution. I wonder whether the spring on the safety catch, which seems quite soft, is tired after more than half a century and replacement might help.
Geoffrey Wilson
G H Wilson

Geoff, I have exactly the same problem on my YB front passenger door - I have tried all sorts of door adjustment to no avail...the only was round it was to file the back end of the door A post catch so it holds cleanly on to the door lock bit (that goes in and out of the front edge of the door when you press the exterior door handle if you see what I mean) . It is posible that minor accident damage can cause this problem..in that the body has moved or twisted very slightly and the front A post needs pulling 'outwards'. You could try removing all the seal on the offending door to see if it helps or you can twist the door alignment by inserting a piece of wood between the body and the door to force the upper part of the door 'in' a bit. In the end I filed the catch but I am still not sure how the problem arose. It is also possible that if you don't have the original door (mine was replaced)it may not fit exactly although technically they should all be the same.Let us know how you get on - but blimey isn't it frustrating when you have done so much work on a car to get stuck on detail like this!
David Mullen

David, thanks very much for your comments. Yes, its very frustrating but there is some comfort in learning that someone else has suffered exactly the same problem. Its more dramatic with a front suicide door (as I know until I cut back the rubber seals) but even with a rear door its annoying. Will await other suggestions and then try yours.
Regards
Geoffrey
G H Wilson

One other point I should have mentioned is that in order to make sure one of the front doors doesn't fly open whilst the car is being driven is that I have a strap that slips over the door handle - the other end being fixed to the body - should the double catch fail then at least the door won't fully open.I knew of a couple of owners who have also done this in the past.Look forward to any more ideas from other owners on this.
David Mullen

David,
I got a pair of nifty, "Suicide Door Safety Catches" from Juliano's hot rod shop, to install in my friend's TD. They would work better in a Y than in a TD due to the door design on the Y being more like on an old Amrerican car. They even have switches to operate lights on the instrument panel.
Scott Barrow

Geoffrey

Is your latch worn? The spring on the striker plate doesnt need to be that strong, so long as it pops the striker plate back up after the latch has passed over it. The door should then hold shut on tension. However, if the latch has worn and it rounded this could cause your door to pop open.

If this is the case, then a small shim behind the striker may help. Raising the height of the striker marginally (so that it doesnt foul the door as it closes) will move it up the blade of the latch past the wear rounding maybe.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Thanks for all the helpful advice. Latch on my door does'nt appear to be worn but simplest solutions are often the best and shims under the striker plate look as though they will solve the problem.
An old Alvis tourer I had years ago had a strap to hold the front suicide door shut when the chassis flexed over uneven surfaces. I once forgot to attach it and the door flew open.Fortunately my wife remained aboard but there was an expensive repair to the bottom of the door where it hit the road.
Regards
Geoffrey Wilson
G H Wilson

This thread was discussed between 25/10/2007 and 04/11/2007

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