So a few weeks ago, I go out to my Tbird (which had been sitting by the curb for over a month due to my misdeeds to it...) and notice the door was slightly ajar. Hmm... I pull on it and the door opens with no resistance. Turns out the door striker bolt snapped in two while the car was sitting. Thanks Motormite. :nkhk:
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/doorstriker 002_c_r.jpg)
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/doorstriker 008_c_r.jpg)
Hopefully the replacement from Motormite won't have the same problem. The above striker had only been installed for ~3 months before kicking the bucket.
I don't have a Rockwell hardness tester in my garage...but I bet the break resulted from the bolt being too "hard" (making it brittle).
Jeesus, that's scary. Imagine if that broke while driving - the huge doors on one of these cars swinging open on a turn could wipe out a city block :eek:
Nice. I need to replace one on the '83...
Maybe I should take a hardness tester in with me when I go :p
i would atleast judge that to be grade 8 metal just by the color / coating of zinc.
rear doors on tempo's, lincolns and generaly any ford 4 door.. except escorts.. they are puppiesanese style...
Great Title!
So I take it I may be better off pulling old one's from junk yard cars!?
I just had a half inch drive ratchet extender sheer off when working on a Sable steering rack bolt. Didn't really think that could happen.
If I could do it over again I'd keep the factory striker assembly, but replace the "rubber" portion with a "HELP" piece.
If I could do it over again I'd keep the factory striker assembly, but replace the "plastic" portion with a "HELP" piece.
The rubber on the "Help" ones are worse than factory. I replace them about every 6 months due to cracked rubber sections.....I'm going to do the dirty and go to the dealer next time and grab a set. Expensive, but worth it. The factory originals were in place when I got the car and I only replaced them about 2 years ago. The plastic wasn't cracked, just very worn causing the latches on the doors not to fully seat open upon opening the doors.
Does the dealer carry just the rubber parts, the entire striker assembly, or both?
I'm not entirely sure. I'm gonna guess that my dealer is gonna have to order them and that that will take 2 weeks ( just like every other part I order from him, including some extra pieces I got for future need for the Mustang, the CURRENT chassis, a 2005)
I know from relatively recent experience that you have to buy the whole assembly from the dealer.
I was tired of squeeky doors, and decided to fix mine up before my trek to CatJam last summer. First I had tried a set of bushings from "Help!"...but with no success...even though the package said for Ford, those were either too long, or the diameter was too large (maybe there is a set with the correct size my parts store did not have?)
I can't quite remember how much they were...about $17.00 comes to mind, but honestly I do not remember if that was for each door, or the total for the pair I bought.
EDIT: I refreshed my memory - The bolt assembly is right about $12.00 from Ford. (each)