Herald door sometimes needs a thump to open

[piran]

I have another new problem with my herald. Sometimes when I close the drivers door it won't open again until you give it a good thump in the middle of the door (a bit awkward to reach from the drivers seat) mostly it's just fine but sometimes it just won't open, I've tried adjusting the door position and I've tightened the screws inside the door but it still happens any idea where to look next?

[johny]

First get some good ol lubrication in the lock mechanism. With the door open you can see it working as you operate the handle and can spray into it to free up anything thats sticking... 

[68vitesse]

Apart from spraying lubricant in the lock mechanism, make sure you have some on the square bar that actually holds the door closed.

Not much or you could end up lubricating your clothes.

Regards

Paul.

[Pete Lewis]

keep the hasp and tongue anti bust clean and lubricated 

this has some adjustment but its limited .

make sure the small tapered wedge slide on the underside of the striker plate is free and moves freely 

Pete

 

[Eric Smith]

Hi - back in the day, all of the door components were assembled with grease or oil, over time the lubricants will have degraded and attracted dust and grit and sadly some of the metal wears away - as your door opening problem is intermittent and you have tightened up and adjusted all attachment and contact points you have excluded the hinges and lock striker plate.

If this problem continues to happen, remember it might be embarrassing or funny but it is your way out of the car to escape from the car if there is a problem!

So if it was me, I would take off the door card and take off the door mechanism to see if anything is worn, damaged or sticking because a burr or tiny metal nib can cause things to stick - once you are happy put everything back with new lube and then exercise the mechanism to bed everything in  - all of that should sort out the problem - if it happens again it could be the outside door handle button being worn and sticking at a very slight angle into the door handle casting, lastly, I have seen a worn locking barrel cause door opening problems by not opening fully.

Hope I have been a help

E

[Pete Lewis]

and make sure the tappet screw on the end of the push button has a small clearance between the head of the screw and the lever of the lock release , you dont want any contact here when its closed .

a light push of the button can tell if you have a smidgen of free play here .

pete