hey guys i could use some help here ... with the door open I pressed the door latch closed the the door ..and now i cant get it to disengage from lock position to close the door .
your thoughts and help sppreciated .
99 xk8 converable drivers side doorr

 

Grab a big old screw driver. View the latch on the door. See that comma shaped metal piece blocking you from closing latching? We will work on that.

Pull on door open handle as though opening door. Same time lever that blocking piece forward (towards inside of car, it will snap out of the way thinking your screwdriver shaft is the post in the door frame that it wraps around when door is properly closed). IOW think of normal operation:

You pull on door handle, then pull or push door to open. That pull / pushing energy moves this latch o/o way just like your doing with screwdriver shaft right now.

John

 

thank you Johnen ...
and just like that ,,,bobs your uncle ..lol
sometimes i think im brian dead . ,,problem solved .
I was inspecting the door latch system because i noticed wear on the catch mount inn the door sill ( Door Sagging )
I have seen a video on how someone just loossed the screws at the door jam mount and put a jack under the door to raise the door then tightten the srews down .
do you think this will work on the xk8 or is there another metheod ..

thanks for taking the time to reply
David

 

I do this nearly every week or so when I need to work in the car with the door open, key-on or need the car to go to 'sleep' with the door open.

 

David, re door sag. If I remember correctly, the jack idea is no more than an urban legend. Why? Well let's use my car's door sag for example.

I finally took a close look at what was going on. As I lifted the door into proper alignment, I watched and felt around the hinges with my fingertips. Top hinge 1st, nothing interesting. Then - bottom hinge. There was a crack in the sheet metal on the door just above the hinge!

Bending wasn't going to fix that. Spent about $100 for a friendly body shop to remove door and weld it.

I suppose some door sags could be a simple bend, but most I've read about are a crack.
Take a real close look, let us know what you find.

John