Door latch adjustable?

[moneymanager]

I've just removed the door handle and replaced the little latch operated by your finger. After reassembling, everything works fine except that the door doesn't pop out smartly when opened as the other one does.
Thanks to someone for contributing this picture of the latch mechanism. The big spring at the bottom looks like it is responsible for kicking the door away from the car when the handle is pulled. Any one know if there is anything which can be adjusted on this plate, or is it solely a matter of cleaning out the accumulated crud and lubricating?

[rw7810]

Yes I think you are right. The adjustment is with the door itself at the hinges to make gaps correct and then the at the door post striker which is where yours is probably hanging up.

[Gunter]

The striker plate in the frame determines the position of the door once closed.
Meaning: An even space all around and the door flush.

Striker plate has 2 bolts (Allen or Torx?)
Use penetrating oil on the bolts from the inside of the wheel wells before trying to open the bolts.
Observe the position of the door in the frame and carefully adjust the striker plate as needed.

[dentist90]

Before you go readjusting your door position, try checking the latch for good springing. Just manually rotate the door latch (the one that grabs the striker plate) until it is in the closed position. Then pull the door handle trigger and see if the latch pops open smartly. If the latch is sluggish a cleaning and lube is warranted. If the latch pops open (and you can feel spring resistance to close it) you may need to reposition your striker plate. If your door gaps are visibly uneven, only then would you consider touching the hinges.
It's possible that the striker plate is misadjusted and the spring latch is binding against it, but check the spring latch first.

[moneymanager]

Thanks to all. A good cleaning has helped quite a bit...just blasted away with some brake fluid cleaner and brushed away the crud. Now the door jumps away from the car nicely. dentist90, tried your trick. Interesting. Just pulling on the finger latch won't release the latch grabbing the striker plate. But if I go inside the door and push on the "rabbit-eared" plate which is pushed by the finger latch mechanism, it releases smartly. Seems as if the rabbit eared piece should be bent a mm or two toward the outside of the car, or shimmed a bit so that it in effect travels a bit further.

[dentist90]

The weather seals on your car also help to pop the door open as these are a bit compressed when the door is closed, but the latch should 'sproing' on its own.