Community Forums

Zoafan · 01-14-2013, 08:08 PM

1998 Discovery

jlfbatonrg · 01-14-2013, 08:32 PM

Zoafan,

What part are you looking for? Is it the locking wedge? Can't tell by the PIC.

Zoafan · 01-14-2013, 08:55 PM

Sorry it's the latch that secures the door when closed.

Midniteoyl · 01-14-2013, 09:17 PM

Should be just like the lock bar on your garage door..

Zoafan · 01-14-2013, 09:25 PM

How do you get to them? They are inside the door

jlfbatonrg · 01-15-2013, 10:44 AM

You first remove the 4 inside screw that hold the back on. Once removed the latch mechanism comes forward a bit. You then have to remove the rod going to the locking wedge, not an easy task. Then remove the 2 screws holding the locking wedge to the door and slide the mechanism out enough to removce the wedge. For me, this was not an easy job. Others have cut a hole in the insde compartment door where the locking latch is located, then removed the latch and replaced it. Here is a website that provides new, stronger locking latches.

Home page :: Motorhome compartment latches guaranteed for life

Zoafan · 01-15-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlfbatonrg

You first remove the 4 inside screw that hold the back on. Once removed the latch mechanism comes forward a bit. You then have to remove the rod going to the locking wedge, not an easy task. Then remove the 2 screws holding the locking wedge to the door and slide the mechanism out enough to removce the wedge. For me, this was not an easy job. Others have cut a hole in the insde compartment door where the locking latch is located, then removed the latch and replaced it. Here is a website that provides new, stronger locking latches.

Home page :: Motorhome compartment latches guaranteed for life

Are you talking about the backing to the handle to open the door? So I remove that piece, remove the handle/lock, and slide the wedge out through the hole in the middle of the door?

If I cut a hole what would I use to cover the hole when I was done? This sounds easier as I could use a dremel and then maybe just silicone something over the hole?

Anyone have pictures of doing this?

Midniteoyl · 01-15-2013, 02:40 PM

If you dont have an access panel on the back of the door, look and see if the bottom trim can be unscrewed and the back panel removed that way. Or, you might have to actually remove the door and undo the top trim/hinge, or ALL the trim, to remove the panel. If neither can be done, then removing the handle and working through its small hole (similar to a tail gate) is the only way other than cutting your own access panel.

Zoafan · 01-15-2013, 02:58 PM

The only access panel I have is the one for the handle to open the compartments.

jlfbatonrg · 01-15-2013, 06:38 PM

When you remove that panel for the handle, the latch mechanism can be pulled out to provide access to the control rods that operate the locking latches. Because of the difficulty in doing this, some folks have cut out a part of the inside door panel right where the locking wedge is located. From there you can remove the locking wedge, then replace it with new metal ones from the website I listed. To seal the cutout hole, folks have replaced the cutout piece, using fiberglass matte and resin. I haven't done that approach, but it seems to me that will be easier than removing the hardware.

Dennis_K · 01-17-2013, 01:23 PM

Like others have said, remove the handle cover plate. Remove the two screws holding the slam latch (your picture shows the latch already removed). You should be able to remove the latch and rod together. You might have to wiggle it around a little. But your latches may be different and the picture is too poor to tell.
On my 2003 Bounder Diesel, after having the plastic strikers break on about 4 latches I finally replace all of them (12 doors worth) with custom made aluminum ones. That was before RB Machining started making them.