Why won't you close?

BuckinBronco · Jul 1, 2010

The latches won't stay shut. I bought the bronco knowing that the the driver side latch was always engaging. The passenger side never gave me problems until the other day.... :annoyed:

I opened the gate so I could clean the back. Did what I came to do and shut it. The whole hatch just noticed back. It wouldn't engage the strikers. I've sprayed it with some penetrating oil hoping it was just gummed up or something with age but it hasn't changed.

Are there replacement latches on the internet if I can't fix it or some trick that I could use?

4x4junkie · Jul 1, 2010

Are the little gray plastic sleeve bushings missing off the striker pins?

BuckinBronco · Jul 1, 2010

The sleeve is on the passenger side but I'm not sure about the driver's side. I'll check in the morning. Would it really affect the latch that much?

Ranger Kip · Jul 1, 2010

I ehard about a recall on latches for 1984 to 1986 Rangers and Broncos, it was the hood and the doors had defective latches. They said 19 trucks were effected with the hood, and 13,000+ were with the doors. It was the material they made them with aparently.

But if yours is always engaged, open it up, spray some bolt loosener or WD40 on it and wait a few minutes, then move it a few times, when it gets goin, clean up the WD40, and shoot a little grease on it

disciplerocks · Jul 2, 2010

Mine was the same way. Tried replacing the bushings with no luck. Finally just got them set in the sweet spot. It took awhile. Keep moving them around.

whocares · Jul 3, 2010

I have done everything short of replacing mine and it still wont latch right on the drivers side. I'll keep at it, eventually something has to give.

ragajungle · Jul 3, 2010

If yours is anything like mine - rust has eatten away the body structure causing the entire rear or the body to sag a good 2-3" - cant fully shut my rear hatch

[/IMG]
the back of the truck body jumps up n down when I hit a good bump ;missingteeth;

BuckinBronco · Jul 4, 2010

Ragajungle- No my Bronco is like yours at least not in the back. I've got rust elsewhere. The area around the fuel door is rusted to the point where the back of the door has to pushed in so you can get your finger in to open it.

'99 EB Explorer · Jul 4, 2010

my exploder does that too....but i found that the handle doesn't return to it's original position after i open the hatch...i have to push it back myself before closing the hatch

gwaii · Jul 4, 2010

ragajungle said:
If yours is anything like mine - rust has eatten away the body structure causing the entire rear or the body to sag a good 2-3" - cant fully shut my rear hatch

[/IMG]
the back of the truck body jumps up n down when I hit a good bump

i see a lot of this....most b2s around here look like that,the back of the body is usually held up by the hatch sitting on the bumper.and yea,they are a pain to get closed.

ragajungle · Jul 5, 2010

Actually my GF's dad is a welder and he said we are gonna replace that main body cross member and ramp it up with some angle iron and c-channel steel to replace the rot. I'll make sure to get lots of before during after pics.
here's a link to get new latches - all the ones in the u-pull-it are usually jacked too.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fr/full.aspx?Page=32

BuckinBronco · Jul 5, 2010

Would Explorer latches works? I've got an 86 Bronco. If they're interchangeable, that's really convenient. I'll dig out my LMC catalog and order some just to have.

birddog321 · Jul 5, 2010

I got that problem too.I just slam the hell out of it. I also have to climb through the cab to open the lift gate. Previous owner broke the guts out of the latch

bonedoc · Jul 6, 2010

Mine latches but have to slam the hell out of it to get it to close. Doesn't always stay latched all the way. My plastic sleeves are wearing out and need to be replaced.

Why won't you close?

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