How do I get my doors to shut?

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I know it must be around here somewhere, but I am having a hard time finding it. I need a good method to adjust the doors on my 52 Hudson Hornet to latch without having to be slammed. Can someone please point me in the right direction?

Thank you.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    If you have "new" weatherstriping, it is probably too thick, or too stiff..
    I once got the strip that goes on the bottom of the doors from Jack Clifford,{that has been awhile LOL] and it was so thick, you couldnt have closed the doors with a truck. Press and Wayne did wonders with suppling the correct weather strips.
  • EssexAdv
    EssexAdv Expert Adviser, Member
    Along those lines,,, I have used a heat gun to soften and set the rubber so the door will close better... this is a trick Press Kale taught me.

    Heat the rubber, close the door and let it cool. The worst offender is the top cowl to door seal. Do one piece at a time and you will be surprised how nice the new rubber will work.

    Lew
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    Do you have the 48-54 Hudson Body service manual? If I recall there's a fairly detailed section on adjusting the door latches.

    Also, if the latch on the door jamb is worn you'll want to get some repops.

    Dan
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    edited January 2012
    Also remember the striker plates need to lined up nicely with latch bar on door. Loosen the three screws(do not loosen to much) and you can move the striker plate up and down and back to front. Number one mistake is pushing the strike plate to far back thinking it will make the door close tighter. It does not it won't allow the door to catch properly in the striker plate. Its a magic spot in between. Its a bit of trial and error. Make sure the striker plate is parallel up and down and not tilted forward or back. Its easy to eyeball this. You will find the back doors usually catch correctly so eyeball the alignment there to get the feel of what to do up front. And as stated above if the weatherstripping is new or placed to far out you will have problems until the door seats it in.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    There is a Hudson Technical bulletin #9 dated 4-19-49 regarding adjustment of the shoulder screw in the door handle push button that has important information about making the doors operate properly. Basically it states that the button should push in about 1/4" before popping the door open and presents means to adjust this.

    I hope that this helps.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    What everyone said is true and the manual is helpfull as well as confusing. One thing to keep in mind is there is a double catch .Push the door closed slowly but firmly on a properly adjusted door and you hear two clicks. If you only hear one move the latch striker plate "OUT" as if to "LOOSEN" door until you hear two clicks.At this point you are close to right.
    And as I said everyone else is correct about things that effect closure issues. There is also a tool mentioned in the manual to bend door hinges for door alignment,
    Roger
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Thanks to all. The door rubber is mostly original (or at least old) so it is not a thickness problem, just an adjustment problem. I found the sweet spot for the drivers door. It was damn cold work, even in the garage.
  • Snailslayer
    Snailslayer Expert Adviser
    Michael,
    Do you have any play in your door hinge pins at all? If you lift up on the outside door handle does the door move up and down at all?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Try this. Remove the striker plate and see if door goes all the way in and the top chrome strip lines up with the back door. If it's lower you must raise the front of the door. The old body men's way is to open door about 3 inches, put a 2x4 about 6 inches long at the front bottom, and a jack to just touch the block and slowly raise the jack, then release and see how door closes, do this till door closes all the way and lines up with rear door. Then install striker and must be lined up straight at the back and slowly move in till door closes. It's a time job that can not be rushed. when set correctly you should be able to just push door in the 2 clicks. Lube lightly with Petroleum Jelly, a must. Clean often and redo. Weather seals must be in good shape. Walt.
  • hudsonguy
    hudsonguy Senior Contributor
    Also, on your four door, you'll want to adjust the rear doors first. Then the front doors last.
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