Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

My 41 woodie pass side door latch smartly returns the door handle to level
My 41 woodie driver side door latch won't return the door handle to level

C&G says 41 door latch spring won't fit a 41 woodie. What to do?

They are listed in the catalog as upper, lower, and inside door handle

11a-700067 upper
11a-702267a lower
11a-702268 inside door handle spring

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

C7G is correct, Woodie door springs are unique to the Station Wagon. I'm not sure if '41 is the same as '42-'48, but post a picture of it, I might have one.

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

The problem here is that at some point a reproduction vendor #1 decided to make a needed and hard to find part, and #2 at the same time got lazy in not fully describing (or investigating) the interchange. 1941-48 SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1941-48 Coupe/Sedan/Convertible.



C&G (understandably) picked up on the vendors interchange without verifying and editing.



1941 has at least 4 different latches (with 4 different springs) that I can think of.
1. Coupe/Sedan/Convertible... carried through 1948.
2. Pickup... originated in 1938, carried through 1947.
3. Sedan Delivery... originated in 1940.
4. Station Wagon... They are in there own world. Likely a unique spring but one would have to check every latch in every flavor 1928-48 to find if there is a replacement. With the rarity of station wagons that is unlikely to happen.


The next difficulty is the futility in consulting the original Ford parts books. Ford serviced the door latches as a unit, and did not service the internal components such as the springs. Some original aftermarket companies did sell components (AUVECO, etc) but they did not have every spring for every application either.


There are any number of spring manufactures across the country who can custom make springs. The problems are that #1 you have to provide the engineering for the spring (at least wire diameter, number of turns, and end pattern), #2 purchase a minimum of 1000-10000, #3 and then if you want to sell some you have to figure out the interchange (watching out for the occasional part where Ford had multiple suppliers and the internal parts do not interchange). then #4 try to find the 10 people who need the rare part! But if you need 1 to get your car running a 1000.00 spring might be OK (the other 999 are now "free").

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

I would look for NOS latch assembly, I took a close look at the latch on my 36 conv sedan and determined the drooping handle was more than just a spring, there was wear on every part, and the parts mostly were different from closed car latches---I found one on ebay, for less$ than most worn out used ones sell for, learn what yours looks like and troll ebay, flea markets, I have all 4 now, some I paid less than you would pay for a spring for a whole nos latch

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

I tried everywhere to locate a door spring for my '46 Wagon. One day when I was in the old Job-Lot, in Queens, NY I asked about the door spring. The counterman took out a box about 12'x18", with almost every spring you could need. On the inside top of the box was the description of what vehicle the spring went to. I purchased three springs at the whopping cost of $2.00 each. That might be your best bet Tex, and old parts store, not a Pep Boys or Advance Auto. As I stated, I may have an extra. Having a spring made is out of the question. After design, prints, tooling etc., I was quoted $1200 for 50 springs.

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

Can you post a photo of the spring you need?

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

I sold some NOS 41 Woodie latches to Bob Johnson who restores wooden boats and woodies recently at the Portland Swap Meet. His shop is in the Bay Area in CA. Should be in Woodie Times roster. I think he advertises in the Woodie Times also. I can't remember if they were RH lor LH or a set. I am sure the spring in a RH latch would go in a LH latch.
Until you find the right spring or latch, a farmer in the field fix would be to twist the square shaft a little where it enters the latch.

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

If you do post a picture, I may have one too as I have one of those metal boxes that has an assortment of different color door latch springs like woodiewagon46 described.

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

I have one of those boxes of springs also.

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

Deuce and TJ you have a gold mine!!!

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

Could someone do me a favor and look up Bob Johnson in the Woodie Times roster? Can't seem to find mine. PM me please.

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

Bob is sending me a set of latches.

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

Was my PM with Bob's address instrumental in your finding said latches? Do U ever answer PMs? Just askin' ;-) Bill

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

Bob's phone number is 415-827-0524

Re: Front door latch spring 41 woodie
 

Thankyou I appreciate you looking it up for me.