Solved!- A fix/workaround for the rattling door latch striker!

See pics below

If you are having problems with a rattling striker bolt go to Autozone and buy a HELP! striker bolt for a FORD #38421. I started sizing it up on my car. Everything looked right. I screwed it in and it immediately worked! The door now closes solid as a rock and no rattles over bumps.

This is a solid fix/workaround. At most you may want to turn the head down just a hair depending on the wear on your door latch assembly.

[This message has been edited by sjmaye (edited 10-19-2007).]

Thanks, I needed that fix.

Thanx for the tip !!!
Just got hold of the bolt.
HELP # 38421 / Doorman # 701916
Took of the plastic cylinder on the bolt, fits like a charm!
Looks like I can drive with the windows down at last !
Creds to you !

Now I can save wrapping electrical tape around it every week!

Thanks for the tip! I need this one too....

+ heading your way.

I was doing some searching on this subject because I have this problem too but another alternative is that a striker for a 86 S10 will work too. Just pick it up from the HELP section, same as the ford one. Now I need to go get this myself.

THANKS! I had this problem, it was driving me crazy. My door was tight, it just rattled. Solved.

Did all of you guys take off the plastic on the shaft of the bolt?

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More info at: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/043357.html

Yes

quote Originally posted by fierobeel: Now I can save wrapping electrical tape around it every week!

Wow...I thought I was the only one who did this! I do the same thing with the electrical tape....only every month.
Funny thing is...my rattling started AFTER I replaced the hinge pins.

Kit / 86 GT

quote Originally posted by Kitskaboodle: Wow...I thought I was the only one who did this! I do the same thing with the electrical tape....only every month. Funny thing is...my rattling started AFTER I replaced the hinge pins. Kit / 86 GT

I tried EVERYTHING including electrical tape every other week. I used plastic pieces, tinfoil, duct tape, paper wrapped in elec tape, you name it I tried it. I can't wait to try this fix.

Take the plastic off the shaft of the bolt ? Why ? Does the plastic make it too big for the Fiero application ? I sort of figured the plastic was what eliminated the rattle. Similar to wrapping tape around the old striker bolt just better.

With the plastic still attached, the diameter is too big for the fiero latch. (I know this because I just tried it a little more that 24 hours ago.....) The "fix" is in the slightly larger in diameter, unworn metal pin itself. Although I didn't have access to a good replacement, my original pin showed a LOT of wear. It *might* have been possible to get good results from a newer Fiero specific pin. I can't imagine they're as easy (and cheap) to get as the Ford pins.

I have to say the timing of this thread was perfect. No more rattles.

Well, I went over to Pep Girls today and picked up the new striker bolt. Worked exactly as said, and yes, I did remember to remove the plastic sleeve. Door closes nice and snug now.

Thanks again for the tip!

Does anybody know what the striker bolt is off, there isn't a autozone around here, I took a look at Canadian Tire but couldn't find it, I gave the guy working at parts counter the part number but he couldn't come up with anything that matched, I'm going to try NAPA tomorrow.

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Factory '87 GT 5-speed

noodle:

Did you find a Canadian source?

Great fix guys, +'s given.

Thanks
Nolan

Very glad I saw this today, I was just getting annoyed by my rattling door. Thanks

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just did this about 10 minutes ago, that was the best $17 i have ever spent, great fix.

[This message has been edited by Jrgicehc (edited 07-28-2007).]

You're a genius...went to my local Advance Auto and picked one up...$7.97 and it works like a charm.

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I did this a few months ago when you first posted this thread. It works great. Only thing was the door would get stuck for the first few days. The latch was sticking on the thicker diameter. But it wore down some of the metal and works perfectly now. OF course my door still sags when it open though. Damn hinges.

I first posted this back in March. I have now fixed my third door and it is working great. I thought some photos would help with explain.

I read a post where someone thought the rubber of the latch assembly was shrinking with age. This is the rubber bumper (circled yellow) at the bottom of the receiver for the striker pin. See pic below


Here is the same latch assembly as is sits in the door. The rubber is on the bottom.


The following part is available from Autozone. It is the same as the original striker pin, but has a larger head. The part comes with a gray plastic sleeve (already taken off in photo) which should be discarded. The intent is to resize the head to fit the opening of the striker receiver.


The first door I fixed had the door dragging a bit on the head. It was too large. I had to find a hi-tech way to find out the correct size to cut the head down to. Here is my method:

I found that my 13mm box end wrench fit like a glove. I measured it with my vernier calipers to find it to be 0.780". I had the head cut to this size.

Here it is installed. No more rattles.


I hope this helps fellow rattle fiends.

[This message has been edited by sjmaye (edited 10-17-2007).]

So it's NOT my window that rattles when the window is rolled down??? This sure is easier than taking a door apart...!!

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'86 Fastback SE 5 spd -'94 HD Electra Glide Cassic -'99 Chevy K-1500 Z-71

Nope ... and if you hear squeeking, it's probably NOT the window or door pieces, but instead the "jaws" part of the door latch is rubbing against the plastic on the factory striker shaft in the body / door frame. The plastic or rubber by the factory "jaws' and the plastic-coated shaft of the striker get old and dry out, then squeek when they mate against each other.

sjmaye - thanks for posting, i got the last one at kragen ; (+) for you

[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 10-18-2007).]

quote Originally posted by PaulJK: sjmaye - thanks for posting, i got the last one at kragen ; (+) for you

Your welcome. Glad to help