Basement latches

[Lawrence Tarnoff]

A couple of latches are quite difficult to release.  They move freely when observed with the doors open, but it's a struggle to get them open when closed.  WD-40?  Or ...?

Thanks,

Larry

[Gerald Farris]

Larry,
As you know most basement doors need a little bump to open and close. That is where the term Beaver knees came from because bumping the doors with your knee is so common. However, a little Silicone spray will usually help them open easier, but if the door continues to need more than a little bump, it is usually an adjustment problem. Adjustments can include everything from shimming the latch plate to relocating it by drilling new mounting holes. A word of caution though if you relocate the latch to make opening easier, if they are too easy, they have a tendency to open while you are driving and that is bad.

Gerald       

 

[Doug Allman]

Gerald is very correct.
The mirrors you have are not only for watching traffic from behind but you need to view along the coach sides once in a while. That item sticking out either to the road side or into traffic is your bay door - you will sometimes get a honk - but often on the shoulder side they just go on by but if they slow and look and do not honk then I imagine they did not see anything they wanted, but it had ought to give you another clue.

Goes the same for the engine compartment door when you do not lock it closed. Our friend from Calgary did same and his trailer now has a very large caved in area in it from engine compartment door banging up against it numerous times. You can see each banged dent crease. I will give Beaver an atta boy as the engine compartment door is totally unfazed. 2004 Marquis was evidently made quite sturdily.

Now I have never had my dear wife notice one open but she always wanted to know why I was making that sudden stop, just to check things dear. Surprisingly even though I know I have traveled for miles with one open until I actually realized what that new object was, we never lost anything.
In perspective a little tight latch is not always a bad thing.