Herald door

[Herald66]

Evening everyone,
I have a 1961 Herald 1200 convertible (genuine CV)
Went out for a drive today and the drivers door kept coming open, being only secured by the emergency latch. I kept closing the door, but it was open again within a few hundred yards.
The door hasn't dropped, and the panel gaps are perfect, and it closes easily.
Can anyone help please?


Thanks
Dave

[Nick Jones]

Emergency latch?  Mine just fly open 😲 (though usually only when not properly closed).

Possibly the spring in the latch mechanism has died.  With the door open you can see the locking pin in the middle of the latch locating plate on the door.  This moves in an arc and if pushed with a finger you should feel some resistant, then it goes over-centre and rests at the other end of the arc.  Pressing the door knob should then cause it to flick back again.  If it just flops around the spring inside has failed.  If this seems ok then some lubrication of the mechanism and also the striker plate on the b-pillar, especially the sliding block on the bottom, which should move freely against a spring, may well help.

Nick

[herald948]

I'm with Nick; lubrication of all parts of the latch mechanism often makes the difference!

[willows40]

I've just changed the latch on my convertible to spitfire ones to hopefully stop the door opening when cornering, once I get the car mot'ed will see if it works or not. Doors do shut easier with less slamming

Cheers Andy