Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hello Folks,

Have most major kinks worked out on my 2272 and have been driving daily for a few months now. Made a couple 6 hour freeway trips without a hick-up... and quite comfortably I must say. Now it's time to work on more little things...

First up: my 2 front doors won't close and latch nearly as smoothly as the rears and I think it's rounding of the rotating assembly in the door that looks like a big 4-toothed cog. What's the repair for this issue? I think someone out there brazed the worn areas & built the "shoulders" of the cog up again but my skills aren't quite that good.

Those replacement kits that come up on eBay any good? Gotta be a common problem with door latches after so many years of use.

Thanks for any advice.

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it is a lot of work,but the way i repaired the locks on my 48. look on ebay or swap meets for rear locks that have good pot metal wheels(the four tooth gear) you can also use the ones out of the repair kits. after you remove the lock from the car it is possible with a little heat to bend the tabs up that hold the inner cover on the pot metal wheel, take out the old and put it back together with a good wheel. like i said its alot of work but will look like new.

Chrysler products used very similar latches in those years and some of the parts are interchangeable and much more easily found. I used a Chrysler product repair kit to fix the latch on my 22nd series Custom 8.

As to the material of construction of the 4-tooth latch wheel, I don't think it's pot metal, that wouldn't last for 20 door closures. But I'm not sure just what it is made from, how about someone checking one with a magnet?

If you cannot find some new latches, I have several NOS rear latches which would supply the worn gear in question, along with new springs, should you wish to go to the effort to rebuild yours. I also have some NOS striker plates, which also get worn. $22.48 each for the latches (remember these are incorrect for direct bolt in, you are buying them for parts), and $22.48 for a pair of striker plates. But you gotta buy all of it to get this price, and pay $9.48 in shipping. Or try Joel Ray, Packards1 to see if he may have the correct front door latches.