The door was shutting fine until yesterday and I sprayed WD40 on all of the latches and then it wouldnt shut. I tried playing with the latch and putting a bar in there to make sure that it latches shut, and it does. When I shut the door, it seems like it wont latch all the way. How can I fix that?

 

Yeah I'm having the same problem with my 2000! It looks like someone actually took a screw driver to it and completely jacked up the inside of the latch. The hard black plastic piece is completely gone. Does anyone know how hard it is to replace this myself and how much it would cost?

 

Sometimes the door lock post gets out of adjustment. I would check to determine if the door will close and latch completely by closing the door slowly and listening for two distinct clicks. You may have to push on the door to obtain the second locking click. It is highly unusual for a door to do this after spraying with penetrating oil. Possibly in the process of lubricating the latch assy. you loosened some dirt/dust and it just needs to be flushed out. They are pretty durable and don't usually give much trouble. Please let me know if you are still having the problem after relubricating it again. Thanks, hanky

 

I tried to flush it completely out after it didn't shut and it still didn't shut. I tried to close it slowly and it clicked twice but it was able to open by itself still. I just bought a new latch for about 70 bucks and put it on myself. It took me about an hour to do. It was not that difficult.

 

Where did you end up getting your latch from. I just went on this FordOEm website last night and found that they have latch assemblies for $55 so I'm gonna buy two and just replace both front doors. What does it take to do this job? I'm pretty good with tools just learning cars though!