need help working on door lock mechanisms

[hatepotholez]

So moving on from the carbs to the doors. while it doesn't look too complicated I am having issues. The passenger door isn't catching at all, by this I mean the door won't even shut. I tried adjusting the striker on the b pillar but no success. The drivers side door closes beautifully but does not open from the outside but does from the inside. Also can we use later year nylon locks for all the rods?

 

Thanks!

[jfa.series1]

Do you have new door weatherstrip installed?  This is a pretty common problem with PRP door seals.  Your comment about the driver's side suggests the lock is in a bind even though it closes.  As you close the door slowly, is the window frame the first contact?  If so, you might try to adjust it outboard a bit to see it that helps.

No comment on the nylon locks as I've not had to replace any.

[hatepotholez]

Thanks for the reply.

No weatherstrip installed, or frames. I only have the regulator and window installed. 

[jfa.series1]

With no weatherstrip or frames installed, this is sounding more like a door alignment issue at the hinges.  Have the doors and hinges been taken off the car and recently reinstalled?  If so, that's the place to begin.  This is often a two-person job with one to hold the weight of the door while the other loosens / tightens bolts.  Were there originally any shims where the hinge mounts to the A-pillar?  These are important to get the door curve to match the fender curve - top to bottom.  The rest is just tweaking the hinge bolts where they mount to the A-pillar and to the door.

[hatepotholez]

The door's were taken off the body. Without any installation of the door lock mechanisms, the door sits flush and the lines all flow properly. You are right that something is off. Maybe I can adjust the striker? 

[Captain Obvious]

On the side that won't shut at all... I've seen an issue on car doors where the door won't close because the latch is already latched in the closed position and interferes with the catching portion of the mechanism as the door tries to swing shut. Happens sometimes when you're messing around with things and inadvertently move the latch to the closed position.

So, sorry, but I it's my job to ask... Are you sure that the latch mechanism is in the OPEN position while the door is open?

Maybe the latch is latched and wont catch?

[hatepotholez]

 

On 4/19/2016 at 4:49 PM, Captain Obvious said:

On the side that won't shut at all... I've seen an issue on car doors where the door won't close because the latch is already latched in the closed position and interferes with the catching portion of the mechanism as the door tries to swing shut. Happens sometimes when you're messing around with things and inadvertently move the latch to the closed position.

So, sorry, but I it's my job to ask... Are you sure that the latch mechanism is in the OPEN position while the door is open?

Maybe the latch is latched and wont catch?

I'll check this, it might be in the open position but then again this is my first time doing locking mechanisms on a Z lol!!

[hatepotholez]

So some good news. I was under the impression the drivers side was closing properly, this was not the case. The lock was fully locked and would just go into the striker. 

 I placed some washers behind the striker and with some minor adjustments both the driver and passenger closes with a double click and with 1 finger. I should have loosened the door hinge and pushed it back in the beginning. I might do this in the future.

Next is to get the window frames and glass on. Also I might have to make adjustments to the drivers side door handle rod.

 

stay tuned!