Rear drivers side door won't close

[kammguy]

I feel like I have seen this covered before, but I can't seem to find it....   The drivers side rear door on my Eagle no longer seems to want to close.  I cannot get the door to latch when I close it.  I don't think it's the door handle because I'm able to manually engage the locking mechanism in the door, and then release it.  I thought this might be the striker?  Replaced it with Dorman 38428 striker, which definitely helped but did not solve the problem.  Thoughts?  Thanks folks

[DaemonForce]

Did you service the door latch?

[mudkicker715]

I would take the panel off and lube the joints on the linkage

[kammguy]

Did you service the door latch?

No, I did not do anything with the latch itself.  What do you mean by 'service'?  Perhaps I should take off the door panel and see if I can get a better look.  Plus do what was suggested by mudkicker715.  Thanks

I would take the panel off and lube the joints on the linkage 

Thanks, I will try that next and see if it works.

[DaemonForce]

What do you mean by 'service'?

Exactly as it sounds. The whole latch. Unmount it, marinate it in penatrant and loosen it up so that it actually works instead of binding every time you open the door.

I completely disassembled my driver side door and I couldn't ask for a better door at this point. The one behind it needs the correct latch but other than that it's good too.

[kammguy]

I finally got around to working on this today.  Followed your advice and.... indeed the door is closing like new!   Thanks for the help

I would take the panel off and lube the joints on the linkage

What do you mean by 'service'?

Exactly as it sounds. The whole latch. Unmount it, marinate it in penatrant and loosen it up so that it actually works instead of binding every time you open the door.

I completely disassembled my driver side door and I couldn't ask for a better door at this point. The one behind it needs the correct latch but other than that it's good too.