Door latch assembly rebuild

[Hankenstien]

Ok, if you have had the drivers side door latch assy. on your 65 just get so worn out to the point the door will NOT stay shut.
And, if you've had the joy of calling/ driving/e-mailing/texting/and any other form of contact, just to find out that they are virtually non-existant in the used truck yards. and I have yet to find an aftermarket source.
I tried an idea with mine that, so far seems to work just fine. Actually 2 ideas, just depends on how mechanically inclined you are.
1.) took the latch out, and cut the outer cover plate off of the striker star (CAREFULLY), this star is exactly the same on both sides of the striker contact. the worn out side can be flipped, allowing the virtually perfect side to be the striker contact. weld the outer plate back over the star and voila, good as new. Adjust door.
2.) Once again you'll need to cut the outer plate off. the thinner the cut the better the weld will look when final. Pull the star out. it is aluminum, now you'll need to find and aluminum welder who is proficient in his trade. and have him build up the star points (paddles?) and then get your trusty dremel, and grind down the star edges until they once again are the same as the other side. Sand it down to smooth out the rough edges and put I all back together and weld the plate back on top. install and adjust door.
I'd post pictures, but I have already installed mine and am currently in the torture test phase.

[Hobcobble]

Welcome! The star wheels are one of the items that
a bugger to fix. There was a member who had
some new ones for sale a while back, but I believe he's sold out. Good to
hear you've solved your issue.
John

[Txas2step]

Terry made a good point a while back......rear crew cab doors don't get the same use as front.....if you find them ( bone yard or wherever) should be yanking them out for reserve or sale.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

If the starwheels can be flipped over, then those in passenger doors would work too. Rt doors get a fraction of the use/wear of driver doors.

[Hankenstien]

The star wheels have the same direction on the fins/blades
on both sides that's needed for the door it's mounted on. therefore the opposite (or passenger side) still doesn't work on the drivers. but will on the passenger, (if it had seen enough use to need it).

[Hankenstien]

A follow up to my previous post. While perusing e-bay one afternoon I spotted a set of door latches that weren't D-100 but I could see the star from the picture & it looked very similar. The guy only wanted $20.00 for the pair, I figured it was worth the gamble. When I got them I took them apart and re-installed the stars into my latch mechanisms. They are the perfect size and work beautifully! Unfortunately he listed them as unknown Dodge/Chrysler. I shall post a pic in a bit And anyone needing to can check w/local salvage yards? Maybe they'll find the model year?

[slick]

I'm wondering if there is a way to make a bearclaw latch work with the original fridge style handles? Even when working good mine always stick? I keep them lubed and they seem to be adjusted..

[Jims68]

If the starwheels can be flipped over, then those in passenger doors would work too. Rt doors get a fraction of the use/wear of driver doors.

Right and left star wheels are different. I need to find pics of the right and left wheels I have... and then I'll post them.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

My above post was wrong. L/R are different, no matter what way they are flipped.

ALL trucks use the same doors and latches, D100-1000! Only the year matters.

[Jims68]

Finally came across the NOS star wheels I have. However... I am not sure which one is right and which is left?? Do you know??

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Hey Jim, one of them is L and the other is R!

[soopernaut]

I was thinking the star wheels had more splines/teeth on them.

[Jims68]

Hey Jim, one of them is L and the other is R!

OK... for a minute there, I thought they would be a Top and a Bottom Star wheel! WHEW!

[Txas2step]

Top one is driver side, bottom is passenger. I think.

[TrunkMonkey]

Hi all, I'm new here. Just picked up a 62 last night.

My drivers door will not latch and stay shut at all? The star piece will just free turn. Not sure what all needs replaced, but I can't even get the door latch mechanism out. The window frame seems to be in the way. What is the trick? And any ideas of what is broken?

Thanks!

[dodgeboykim]

You have to remove window frame to remove lock assembly.

[Jims68]

it "Sounds" like the small arm that the rod attaches too is "stuck" in OPEN and "maybe" the rod has fallen off? Hard to tell exactly until you get the lock out.

[Oldodge318]

Going to try to disassemble and rebuild the driver's side door latch on my '64 D100 Stepside, probably on Sunday. Found the information on this thread very helpful. The door does not completely shut, and only grabs on the second stage. I am not looking forward to this operation. Thanks for all the tips and tricks listed above.

[Jims68]

Going to try to disassemble and rebuild the driver's side door latch on my '64 D100 Stepside, probably on Sunday. Found the information on this thread very helpful. The door does not completely shut, and only grabs on the second stage. I am not looking forward to this operation. Thanks for all the tips and tricks listed above.

Try this... With door open, HOLD the handle as if you were opening the door and then spin the "star" one or two teeth. The door will probably latch normally now. Most likely, ONE of the teeth inside the door is broken off. However, that won't really fix your problem, but it will at least close all the way for a couple of times.

[sdenty]

There are remans out there but not cheap.

Rebuilt Early Style
1961-66 (except
Town Wagon / Panel)
Right Door Lock
Part #18:1783142 $325