Tutorial: Improving door latch function

[PeterAllen]

I'm making my own fibreglass doors for my GTO but I have to use the S30 latch and hinges to maintain ADR compliance.

 

I have had the devil's own job trying to get the doors to function correctly so I've spent a little time researching what appears to be a common problem in having S30 doors latch smoothly. There is some thought that replacement door jamb trim is too big and hinders correct closure, that may well be an issue, however, in my case it was clearly the latch and the striker plate not working in unison.

 

It seems there is a rubber covering on a revolving latch lobe which wears and breaks off, thus inhibiting correct engagement of a second lobe (see photos).

 

 

With the rubber covering fitted the first lobe contacts the striker plate earlier and allows the second lobe to engage correctly.

 

 

The issue may be addressed by adding weld to the striker plate where the first lobe contacts or by filing away the back of the second recess in the striker plate to allow the second lobe to smoothly engage. http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/36105-fixed-the-door-slaming-issue/

 

 

New rubber coverings are available in the US (see HybridZ thread above) but are $55 posted to Aus.

 

Here is a $1.50 alternative.

 

Purchase one of these from Bunnings or the like and cut off at 10mm.

 

Use a pencil or piece of dowel and a Stanley knife to cut out this shape.

 

 

Fit to the first lobe - I was surprised how strong the tubing was. There is a fair bit of stretching and manipulation required to install but it didn't rip or tear.

 

Works a treat. I will have to see what the durability is like.

[gav240z]

Thanks Peter, I made this post a sticky.

I also found this page here: http://www.240zrubberparts.com/apps/webstore/products/show/4423585

 

For those that want the OEM look and feel. It also has good photos of what these rubbers look like.

 

I've been around Z-cars for years but even I didn't know these existed. Having said that I've got to spend more time with my head buried in the parts catalog it would seem. I always assumed old cars were just not as good as modern cars, but it's amazing how good the quality of these cars were when all the missing bits of trim and put back on them.

[PB260Z]

Hi Peter

 

Thanks for posting this.

It is the little tips like this one that make this Forum such a great resource.

 

Cheers

 

PB

[XYZ]

Thank you Peter - very informative.

 

Does anyone know if/where that complete mechanism you're showing (ie the one that bolts to the chassis, not the latch on the door) can be bought?

 

Cheers

[Sirpent]

Great work Peter 

[monkeyman]

I just happened to find this thread by luck as my doors started giving trouble! I went to Bunnings and bought the exact same vinyl joiner and tried it myself. I had a hard time getting it to work. In fact, I couldn't get it to work!. If I had been willing to get the door latch out of the car I might have done better, but trying to do it lying on my back in the carport was unsuccessful. 

Then I thought "I have a 3D printer, maybe I could use that". So, with a little bit of trial and error, I ended up with a clip that would clip into place and stay there, and it improved my door function heaps. With a bit more time and care, I could probably have made it a better fit, but what I ended up with was a pretty good fit anyway. 

I decided not to post here in case it fell apart after a couple of days, but now it has been many months and it isn't showing any real sign of stress. I don't drive the car daily, but it does get some use. 

So, if you have a 3D printer, or you have a mate with a 3D printer, or know a library with a 3D printer (the library at the Dock in Melbourne has three... they'll print it for you for nothing), it's small and prints quickly, so print a couple. 

 

I'll attach the stl file here for anyone use (stl is the standard format accepted by just about all 3D printers and their software)

 

A couple of things: I printed in ABS, but I bet PLA would be fine too.

Also, the clip has two little tabs at one end. When you clip it into place, orient it so that the tabs are toward the rear of the car. They will keep it from sliding around. 

 

...later.

Ok. I couldn't upload the stl file, it wouldn't accept it. I changed the extension to .txt, so you will have to change it back to .stl. 

So save

'260Z door latch rubber.txt'

Then change its name to 

'260Z door latch rubber.stl'

and it should work.

 

 

260Z door latch rubber.txt

[PeterAllen]

Excellent - a 21st century solution.

 

Well done and thanks for sharing.

[PeterAllen]

I had someone make a few.

[monkeyman]

That's great. It means the stl file converts back without any problems.

Did you print PLA or ABS? Let us know how it goes.

By the way, I didn't give you enough credit for the original post. It was only because of what you had done that my doors close now!

[PeterAllen]

Here is what the chap stated:

 

"These are pla - which is the basic printing material, it is sugar starch based so no nasty smell when working with it, but it will go soft at a fairly low temp - 70 odd deg. I can do some in abs which is an oil based plastic that will handle a lot more heat, but smells like an oil refinery when printing. Or if you give me a few weeks I can probably do some polycarbonate ones - very tough.

I'll send these over so you can test them, if they show signs of going soft I'll do some abs ones"

[Riceburner]

Here is what the chap stated:

 

"These are pla - which is the basic printing material, it is sugar starch based so no nasty smell when working with it, but it will go soft at a fairly low temp - 70 odd deg. I can do some in abs which is an oil based plastic that will handle a lot more heat, but smells like an oil refinery when printing. Or if you give me a few weeks I can probably do some polycarbonate ones - very tough.

 

I'll send these over so you can test them, if they show signs of going soft I'll do some abs ones"

 

Guys, If you do get anymore produced at a later date I would be interested in multiple sets. I'm sure there's plenty of other guys who would want them. It seems to be a problem across most zeds.

Edited November 11, 2016 by Gareth. J.

[Android]

I had someone make a few.

Hi Peter.

I have am having a hell of a job getting my UK drivers door to shut.. I have been at it on and off for months and nothing seems to work. I can see why now. I am in the UK and as such we have not caught up with this 3D printing wizardry, our libraries are closing at a phenomenal rate, our economy is shrinking, we are leaving Europe and to find somewhere in the UK to 3D print things will probably cost a bomb..  So with very long arms reaching over to you guys with several beer tokens in hand I am wondering if you could possibly send me a couple of these wonderful plastic 3D wonder fixes so I can drive my 240 without holding on to the door handle  

 

I will gladly pay for them and the postage to the UK.. if you would be so generous... sod it I'm begging again!   

 

Drop me a message or an email  andrew.setchfield@btinternet.com   I can send over some money via Paypal.. 

 

Thanks Guys.. Carry on the Zedding .

[PeterAllen]

Okay. The PLA clips have gone 'missing-in-action' and I'm just about to have some made in polycarbonate.

 

I'm not sure if the 3D printer chap is just interested in creating a few for me or would be happy to do a small production run. I can't imagine these being worth more than a few bob so I wondering if anyone would be interested if the chap was prepared to do a small production run?

 

If people can let me know, either here of via a PM, I could get a bit of an idea of the quantity to be made I can then approach him for a quote - assuming he is prepared to make a small batch. 

 

See image in post #8.

[KatoKid]

I'm in!

 

I made the vinyl joiner ones and they work OK but not going to last very long

[lightmaster240z]

Me three

[gav240z]

+1 x4 for 4 cars.

[RAP260]

Hey folks,

 

This is just for my information.

 

Regarding the locking hardware on the doors. What year did the door latches move from being externally mounted, to being built into the doors ?

 

All 240z, and early 260z models???

 

Or is it just a 2+2 thing ?

 

Cheers,

Rob

Edited May 6, 2018 by RAP260

[monkeyman]

I just got an alert there was some activity on this thread. I had a look at the ABS clips I printed a year and a half ago (see post #6) and they were still there on both doors. I drive the car pretty frequently. They were a little worse for wear, but still holding on. 

The driver's side door clip was still in ok condition and had a bit of life left in it. The passenger side door was holding together but not looking so good. That door wasn't very well aligned initially and I think that is why. I think these clips will help with the latch operation, but they won't fix a poorly aligned door, so if the doors aren't shutting due to alignment, that will have to be fixed first.

So I am willing to print off a bunch of them and send them out for others to try. I will use ABS which is hardier than PLA. I would love to see a photo of the polycarb clips when you get them Peter. 

I just checked my 'slicer' and it tells me each clip uses about three cents worth of plastic. 

So I will print a bunch out this week, and as an 'introductory offer', those that are interested can PM me with your address and I will send you some. You can keep your coins in your pocket, and that way I won't feel guilty if they don't work for you. 

[andyk_79]

Okay. The PLA clips have gone 'missing-in-action' and I'm just about to have some made in polycarbonate.

 

I'm not sure if the 3D printer chap is just interested in creating a few for me or would be happy to do a small production run. I can't imagine these being worth more than a few bob so I wondering if anyone would be interested if the chap was prepared to do a small production run?

 

If people can let me know, either here of via a PM, I could get a bit of an idea of the quantity to be made I can then approach him for a quote - assuming he is prepared to make a small batch. 

 

See image in post #8.

 

Hi Peter

 

Count me in for a set.

 

Thanks

[PeterAllen]

Chaps. I'd take 'monkeyman' up on his offer if I were you (I am).

 

As I eluded to in post #13 the person doing my printing is a 'friend of a friend' and I've no guarantee he'll do a batch.

 

I'll still press ahead hoping we can have the harder polycarbonate clips made but for the prices involved you may as well grab any offers going.

 

Thanks 'monkeyman' for the offer.

[gilltech]

 

 

Hey folks, 

This is just for my information. 

Regarding the locking hardware on the doors. What year did the door latches move from being externally mounted, to being built into the doors ?

All 240z, and early 260z models???

Or is it just a 2+2 thing ?

Cheers, 

Rob 

I think the mechanism changed around Aug/Sept 1976??? so the '77 & '78 doors are different to the earlier cars, both 2-seat and 2+2.

If looking for a replacement door shell the other thing to be aware of is that the window winder mechanisms changed in geometry pattern between the 240Z, early 260Z, and later 260Z, so the inner face of the door shell differs to suit each style and the mechanisms are specific. So match year for year if you can.

[Shaun05]

Ill join the queue. Id be in for 3 sets.

[monkeyman]

Hi All,

I sent the 3D printed ABS clips out yesterday morning to those who contacted me. I guess they should get to their destinations Monday or Tuesday. I printed a few spares for everyone.

Remember when pressing them on to have the small tabs to the back of the car, so that they slot in between the moving latch and the rear plate (it keeps them from sliding around). 

I made them a thickness that suits my car, but I have no idea how much this needs to vary for other cars. Good luck (let me know how you go).

Eric.

[PeterAllen]

Thanks Eric, you're a real gentleman.

 

I've heard nothing from my potential polycarbonate supplier, but I post here if I do.

[KatoKid]

Kudos mate !

 

Thanks