Chrysler Repair: grand voyager door repair, mechanic friend, grand voyager

Question
The driver's door on my '95 GV does not latch properly.  It is very hard to close on latch, bouncing back open in a locked state.  There is a crack in the frame at the bottom hinge that flexes when the door is fully open that may be a contributing factor.

A mechanic friend says the door must be replaced; is this really necessary? They are very expensive in my area.

Answer
Hi Edward,
While I haven't any experience with the vans, I would suggest two actions. First would be to take the vehicle to a good welder and see if the frame can be repaired to provide the original structural support for the door. You might also find the hinges are worn and need replacement.  Then, you should find that the latch receiver (mounted on the door frame) can be adjusted to mate with the latch mechanism mounted on the door. The latch itself usually doesn't have adjustment capability, but the frame mounted part, when the attachment screws are loosened, can be slid up/down, and in/out to provide an easy closing yet secure closure of the door. So start by getting the door to be properly supported and predictably located, then adjust the latch mating interface to meet that position.
Roland