stephend Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 This has happened to my self twice, and as I dont have seat belts its a little terrifying! Has anyone fitted different locks, ie better ones from a different car? or is there a tried and tested method to stop them opening up when you dont want them to :)Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Moore Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Stephen, is your car a convertible or saloon? The convertibles had a second door catch to stop the doors popping open when the chassis flexed. A saloon's roof stiffens the car up enough that the doors shouldn't pop open. Usually...Mind you, 'what to do in the event of a door opening' is part of my normal passenger's pre-flight briefing. It's something along the lines of 1. If the door pops open, the air flow will keep it mostly closed. You won't fall out.2. If the door pops open on a right hand bend, try and grab it on the next left hand bend.3. Hey wait, come back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephend Posted May 12, 2014 Author Share Posted May 12, 2014 Its a saloon, I'm going to be doing a full body makeover in the coming months so want to make any improvements i can now, while it will be in the garage being deconstructed.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herald948 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Beyond wear or broken bits (and severe body/chassis flex, of course), I find that adjustment and/or lubrication usually will keep the door locks functioning pretty well. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 these older catches dont have a 2nd postion as more moderns have, so when its released it opens. my guess is the slide underside of the B post striker is seized, this sprung wedge stops the lock lifting on body movement if its stuck at its thinnest taper the lock cam can lift and ride out of the striker not available as a spare the spring can with a fiddle be replaced if it has failed but often a good clean and grease will work. likewise if the striker is too far inboard the cam wont roll over fully and lock its postion, same applies if there is no free play on the end of the push button or the levers inside the door are restricting the full return of the mechanismall a bit fiddly but worth a clean and lube Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephend Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 Peter, before I do anything drastic, like chopping in new door locks from a different car ill give it all a good clean and lube.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt306 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 The striker plate (the bit on the B post) has some movement too when loosened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 2783 wrote:Peter, before I do anything drastic, like chopping in new door locks from a different car ill give it all a good clean and lube.. Good plan. High chance of success. Also check the screws holding the locks to the doors and striker plates to the B posts are tight. If the car is structurally iffy in outriggers/body mounts then problem will persist.Whatever you do, there is always some risk of them popping open if not quite properly shut, due to single stage mechanism. A more modern, less scary alternative is on my list.Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talkwrench Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I agree with Nick [moore] Its part of my briefing now .. The first time I took my wife out , went through a roundabout and "pop" her door flew open... Mm Needless to say she hasn't been in the red devil since.. Her response is now "Im not driving around in that tuna can!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elma fud Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 fitted 1993 escort door latches to my door, not an easy mod but hey ho :-/ but l now have central remote locking...door inner modit does mean l will have the escort lock barrel below the herald handle, but the push button on the handle still opens the door via home brew bracket ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Nick_Jones wrote: A more modern, less scary alternative is on my list.NickBungee cord between the door handles??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 thescrapman wrote:Bungee cord between the door handles???Done this...... before my Herald saloon had it's big rebuild in 1990 dissolving body mounts and general grot meant that you had to be damn certain the doors were properly shut before launch. When some genius decided we needed to take the roof off for open top motoring things got a whole lot worse and bungee cords were used as an emergency measure.......Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oil_on_the_carpet Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Pop open doors are a traditional problem on hot rods using old bodies and kits are available for retrofit to older cars with single action slam locks.Check out 'Bear Claw Latches'http://www.autoloc.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephend Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 Herald16v, been reading your pages over on RR, very cool some of the things you've done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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