Hello,

I’m in the final stages of restoring a 72 500L and all has been going rather well! The electrics was entertaining but getting there. However I am really struggling with the door locks. I have fitted all the internal mechanisms inside the door, new handles and the strike plates on the car. If I shut the door it “clicks” and will hold the door shut, but it’s not true my closed up tight. Critically you can’t lock the door by the external key or the inner push button by the bottom of the window surround. Even if you try to force it it’s not lockable. After a lot of investigating on the end of the door where the mech clicks into the check plate there are two knuckles that rotate into the car strike plate. As you push the door closed the first one rotates into the plate, and catches the door closed. It needs to click round to the second to be truly closed and lockable. I have tried adjusting the strike plate around it’s got tiny available movement. I just can’t see how to remedy things anyone else done this? Can offer advice please? Sorry for long post it’s driving me crazy!

Gonein60seconds said:

Hello,........................I have tried adjusting the strike plate around it’s got tiny available movement. I just can’t see how to remedy things anyone else done this? Can offer advice please? Sorry for long post it’s driving me crazy!

Click to expand...

try removing the door seal and see if it locks...
door seals may be too thick...

I had this problem with one of my 'pattern' doors.It turned out that the linkage inside the door was fouling the door shell. I had to 'tweak' the alignment of the lock linkage so that it cleared the door shell. 'Pattern' doors aren't QUITE the same shape as the originals! I hate pattern parts with a passion!!!

try undoing the 3 screws holding the lock plate on the door post and pulling it towards the outside of the car as far as it will go. Then try closing the door.
It must go to the 2nd click before doing anything else.
Once you do this you will probably find the door is not fully shut. You then adjust the plate in towards the centre of the car to pull the door in, at the same time make sure it is still going to the second catch position

I had the same problem on my 72L. As posted earlier most probably the door seal holding it off . You have to either to replace the seal with a thinner one or do what I did . I cut away some of the seal on the underside of the round section . You don't notice it and it still makes a seal. You may not have to do this all the way round just trial and error. Where are you situated ?

Hi there thank you for the replies. They are pattern doors, I’m now massively not regretting in investing in having the originals repaired but you live and learn. Location wise I’m near Oxford.

In regards the seals they are likewise new so can appreciate they aren’t maybe giving enough. But I actually currently only have the door seal fitted that’s on the body rather than the one that’s inside the edge of the door itself. I have tried applying as much pressure to close the lock to a second click as I dare without risking pushing a dent and no go.

I’ll look again at the seals. I’ve been thinking about taking the strike plates off of the car and opening up the bolt holes so I have some route to move them out towards the outside edge a little more. That was my next plan. Can’t believe it’s so adverse to closing!

I tried a variety of door seals with my 'pattern' doors---only the pukka Fiat ones sealed correctly and let me shut the doors. Check the sealing at the FRONT of the doors, by the hinges. This is the area that I found created the greatest resistance when trying to shut the door as it is the first part of the seal that gets compressed (when shutting the door).

ah, now you say they are pattern doors!
I had a similar issue with my new doors.
The seam all the way round the door which is where the inner and outer skin is welded together caused me a problem.
The original door was only about 8-10mm.
The new door was nearly 12mm.
Even without the rubber fitted and the catch the door would not close properly as this part was too wide and was hitting the inner door frame before the door was flush with the side panel.
When shutting the door there is not enough free gap between the two panels for the door to go in enough against the rubber and for the door catch to go to the 2nd position.
So I had to grind this seam down to the original thickness and then it closed fine.
Might be worth checking this out.

All just to thank everyone for the advice. I’m pleased to say I have fixed the issue and. It’s doors are now closed, nicely aligned and locked!

In the end I removed the check plates from the door b pillar and opened up the 3 bolt holes to 10mm. That allowed me to move the plate forward towards the edge of the aperture about 3mm and in turn the doors clicked and closed correctly. Last time I ever buy pattern doors. Every aspect of their install and fit has been ****e!