The Ford Barn

walkerlakeprinter · 08-29-2019, 11:57 AM

I have my new latch all greased up and trying to install it. I understand
that the "U" part of the latch spring needs to go in behind the door metal.
Is there a tool any of you use to push the spring back far enough to clear the opening? I have tried a screwdriver, but it slips off too easily.

walkerlakeprinter · 08-29-2019, 02:29 PM

I figured out a way.......I used the flat end of a large file to push the spring back away from the opening. After that, a simple tap let the latch pop into place. It works perfectly! Maybe 90 years from now someone will have to do this over. Not worried about that myself. Love this hobby!

Johnny Nitro · 08-29-2019, 09:51 PM

I bent the end with some needle nose pliers in such a way that maintains its tension against the assembly, but tucks up behind that ridge on the latch. So far it’s working great.

walkerlakeprinter · 08-30-2019, 10:19 AM

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Good idea. At first, I just thought it could stick out between the plate and the frame, but that was really not an option. The whole thing just bound up tight and wouldn't move. I had seen a reminder somewhere that the "U" part needed to be behind the frame, so I figured it out. But your idea would have worked. Thanks.....someone may search for this sometime and come across these ideas.

08-29-2019, 02:29 PM	#2
walkerlakeprinter Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walker Lake, Nevada Posts: 304	Re: Help with latch spring placement I figured out a way.......I used the flat end of a large file to push the spring back away from the opening. After that, a simple tap let the latch pop into place. It works perfectly! Maybe 90 years from now someone will have to do this over. Not worried about that myself. Love this hobby!

08-29-2019, 09:51 PM	#3
Johnny Nitro Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 63	Re: Help with latch spring placement I bent the end with some needle nose pliers in such a way that maintains its tension against the assembly, but tucks up behind that ridge on the latch. So far it’s working great.

08-30-2019, 10:19 AM	#4
walkerlakeprinter Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walker Lake, Nevada Posts: 304	Re: Help with latch spring placement Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good idea. At first, I just thought it could stick out between the plate and the frame, but that was really not an option. The whole thing just bound up tight and wouldn't move. I had seen a reminder somewhere that the "U" part needed to be behind the frame, so I figured it out. But your idea would have worked. Thanks.....someone may search for this sometime and come across these ideas.