Help with driver side door latch won't close

[NoBudgetGarage]

Hi guys!
So I'm back here still with my 1980 Mexican market only 2 door Dart.
The problem is that now I can't close my door since the latch just won't engage, I tried giving it a real good cleaning with degreaser to see what was the issue since the 3 screws holding it to the door seem to be impossible to take out, and after the cleaning I realized that the spring that presses a metal piece that keeps the door latch cam in its place is broken, therefore with any vibrations the door just opens.
My question is, can that spring be replaced? Or do I have to replace the entire mechanism?

 

[Aspen500]

They aren't really repairable. Best is to replace it with a good latch.

You'll probably need a hand impact driver to get the screws broke loose. If you're not familiar, you use the correct size phillips bit and hit the end of the tool with a hammer.

 

[armataz]

Hi guys!
So I'm back here still with my 1980 Mexican market only 2 door Dart.
The problem is that now I can't close my door since the latch just won't engage, I tried giving it a real good cleaning with degreaser to see what was the issue since the 3 screws holding it to the door seem to be impossible to take out, and after the cleaning I realized that the spring that presses a metal piece that keeps the door latch cam in its place is broken, therefore with any vibrations the door just opens.
My question is, can that spring be replaced? Or do I have to replace the entire mechanism?

View attachment 58089

finding the whole door latch would be the easiest way. if the latch screws are frozen, use penetration oil to eat the rust. if several attempts using that dont work, try heating them up with a torch lighter to loosen them by expanding the metal. it will be better then stripping the screw head or busting them off by using too much force.

 

[BudW]

The grease in the door latches gets rock hard over the years. I have 3 door latches on my Fifth Ave that are sticky/hard to open because of the hardened grease.

You will need to get an Impact Screwdriver (as shown, above) to remove those screws or YOU WILL tear up the screws.

Once you get door latch(s) removed, use brake parts cleaner or carburetor cleaner, an old toothbrush and a small screwdriver. then get cleaning until all of the old grease is removed and parts start to move freely.

Use a liberal amount of spray grease - and get the grease everywhere in that latch. Reinstall and it should be trouble-free for another 25+ years.

The factory used a lot of grease when building these latches. A glob here, then rivet that plate on. A glob there, then another rivet. They were not meant to take apart to re-grease.

I do NOT have a good recommendation as to what kind of grease to use. A good quality wheel bearing grease might be best - BUT I do not know of a good way to get it into the deep recesses of the latch where the grease is actually needed.

BudW