Technical Door Catch clip installation

[rgmaria]

Help! The driver door catch on my 1970 500 broke in half. I have a new replacement catch, compressed it with a hose clamp and can slip it into the door. My problem is: How do I get it onto the little white pulley wheel inside the door? I've loosened the Phillips head bolt (it loosens but doesn't come off).

 

[bugsymike]

I have done them years ago, but I seem to think it was with the door panel off and engaged all the way down the door clip onto the pulley then with it at it's fully extended position prised it into the door frame piller two eyes, if that makes sense.

 

[rgmaria]

Thanks bugsymike. Do you mean you installed it with the interior door card removed?

 

[the hobbler]

Thanks bugsymike. Do you mean you installed it with the interior door card removed?

It is some time since I have had to fit a 'check-strap', but if I remember correctly, you do not have to take the door card off. Instead, carefully remove the bolt holding the check-strap's roller out and remove the roller---then fit the roller into the end of the check-strap, push it back into the door, fit the 'hooked' end into the door-frame, remove your jubilee clip (so that the check-strap stays in place) and then refit the check-strap's roller bolt through the roller, into the door, and tighten it up--very fiddly! Look at the other door to note the correct way for the check-strap to be fitted. It helps if you have a 2nd pair of hands who can hold the door in position when re-fitting the roller screw

 

[bugsymike]

It is some time since I have had to fit a 'check-strap', but if I remember correctly, you do not have to take the door card off. Instead, carefully remove the bolt holding the check-strap's roller out and remove the roller---then fit the roller into the end of the check-strap, push it back into the door, fit the 'hooked' end into the door-frame, remove your jubilee clip (so that the check-strap stays in place) and then refit the check-strap's roller bolt through the roller, into the door, and tighten it up--very fiddly! Look at the other door to note the correct way for the check-strap to be fitted. It helps if you have a 2nd pair of hands who can hold the door in position when re-fitting the roller screw

I don't recall undoing the roller, but it was a long time ago and it may have been the same design of spring on a different model of Fiat of around the 70s/80s.
I may have even done it with the roller in place and slide the spring/strap past the roller and then pulled it into place over the roller before fitting into the two eyes. Sorry if a bit vague, I am talking about something I did 30-40 years ago for a customer.

 

[rgmaria]

Update: I installed the new door catch, positioning it with the detent ((wavy) side down. The door now holds at the point shown in the attached photo. What's wrong?

 

[bugsymike]

Update: I installed the new door catch, positioning it with the detent ((wavy) side down. The door now holds at the point shown in the attached photo. What's wrong?

I suppose it was too long ago when original failed to recall the position and shape of the original broken one.
Can you compare with the other side door?

 

[rgmaria]

I suppose it was too long ago when original failed to recall the position and shape of the original broken one.
Can you compare with the other side door?

I have the old one (in two pieces) but I didn't think to look at the old and new that closely. Thank you.

 

[the hobbler]

Update: I installed the new door catch, positioning it with the detent ((wavy) side down. The door now holds at the point shown in the attached photo. What's wrong?

I think that I have the answer to your problem----if you look at the spring length-wise, you will see that it NOT straight--it bends along its length. The spring needs to be fitted so that the curve is going AWAY from the car. This way, as you open the door, the curve of the spring follows the direction of the door---you need to fit your spring the other way up i.e. detent side UP. I am not that clever---I just pushed my car out of the garage and fully opened the door wide---I couldn't see where the detent was, but I could see which way the check-strap bent.

 

[rgmaria]

Thanks. I did try putting the spring in both ways. With the wavy side up the door didn't hold open at all. With the wavy side down it holds as seen in my photo. I'm not sure which side you call the detent. I assume it's the side I call DOWN in the attached photo, which is the position the spring is now in.

 

[the hobbler]

Thanks. I did try putting the spring in both ways. With the wavy side up the door didn't hold open at all. With the wavy side down it holds as seen in my photo. I'm not sure which side you call the detent. I assume it's the side I call DOWN in the attached photo, which is the position the spring is now in.

Try it the other way up so that the bend in the length of the clip bows OUTWARDS at the door end

 

[bugsymike]

Try it the other way up so that the bend in the length of the clip bows OUTWARDS at the door end

Just a thought, are they handed, left and right, as well as the bow outwards as advised, it is a long time since I fitted any?

 

[the hobbler]

Just a thought, are they handed, left and right, as well as the bow outwards as advised, it is a long time since I fitted any?

To be honest Bugsymike, I don't recall that they are 'handed'--the important thing is that the gentle curve of the spring points OUTWARDS, whichever side they are. If they are fitted so that the curve is curving in towards the car, the door is fighting the spring when you open it (or don't,as they case will be)

 

[bugsymike]

To be honest Bugsymike, I don't recall that they are 'handed'--the important thing is that the gentle curve of the spring points OUTWARDS, whichever side they are. If they are fitted so that the curve is curving in towards the car, the door is fighting the spring when you open it (or don't,as they case will be)

The curve makes sense to me and just seen advert for Ricambi saying L&R, so you are spot on.
Placement on Vehicle
Front Left, Front Right