New (to me) 911 door question

[Ray J]

I just bought a 1986 low mileage 911 Carrera. The car is in excellent condition but I have a question. The door latch mechanism has a two stage operation. On my car you need to solidly shut (almost slam) the door to get either door to engage this second stage on the latch. Is this an adjustment I need to make or are all 911's like that?

Here is my new car:

[ramonesfreak]

nice car. my doors require the same strong effort to fully close. seems normal

[dlagerstrom]

Welcome!!

Very nice looking car. Sweet, as my daughter would say.

I have never had to slam the doors. Probably something out of whack. Try doing a search on door adjustment.

[bkreigsr]

nice ride Ray, I just helped a buddy score a 85 targa and was very impressed with how that generation 911 gets around.

The striker bolt receiver assembly on the door jamb is adjustable. Pelican sells the special 12 point hex wrench to get the job done (as does Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Craftsman, etc.). Trial and error is the best way to determine where the proper location will be. The door should close with one firm clunk/twang motion. Sounds like yours is positioned too far inboard.

Bill K

[TroyGT]

I have an 86 as well... but I'm not sure exactly what you mean by the two stage latch. Do you mean the door is caught... but you can still flop it in and out a little? I'm assuming that you can see an obvious crack in the door while in this semi-latched state? My car closes fine with a normal push... not really a slam. I can't, however, just hold the handle and push it to.. like some of my other cars. You could just need a latch adjustment... some lubrication... or your car is really air tight and it just doesn't close easily because of that (which is good). Crack the windows and try shutting it a few times... see what happens. If that doesn't change... inspect the hinges and the lock mechanism. Lube and re-test.. then report your findings.

-Troy

[Paulporsche]

There is a white plastic piece about half inch thick sandwiched behind the steel of the door catch, on the post @ the rear of the door. Make sure that piece has not split and a piece slipped out of position.