Back Door Leaking - Removed Latch

[heimlich]

In my haste I removed the back door latching mechanism and replaced it with a lock. Now my rear door leaks at the top because the latching mechanism used to pull the door in.

Has anyone done this and know how to fix it? I need something that will put pressure on the door to the frame.

Maybe something like this would work: https://www.thetoggleclampstore.com/products/lt-40341-latch-action-toggle-clamp-cross-referenced-341

 

[Timeline]

yes that might work, have on on my bus front door.
take care snapping it shut, they can bite...

 

[nikitis]

That likely won't work. That's just going to pull the door in to the right, not into the bus.

You likely need a ramp like latch. You may need to reinstall the old latch, and then add a lock above it.

 

[Timeline]

That likely won't work. That's just going to pull the door in to the right, not into the bus.

Except, it does pull the door in and seals the door tightly against the door gasket. It's working well on this bus...
¯\(ツ)/¯

 

[heimlich]

I think both of your are right. Maybe if I put a block or a standoff underneath it on the frame side it will pull more into instead of over.

 

[heimlich]

Here's a better one that pulls upwards:

https://www.thetoggleclampstore.com...h-action-toggle-clamp-cross-referenced-324-ss

 

[Timeline]

I think both of your are right. Maybe if I put a block or a standoff underneath it on the frame side it will pull more into instead of over.

Yes that describes how the clamp is attached on my bus. The first clamp you found should work alright.

nikitis you are probably right as well, what is a "ramp like latch" can you link to one? Always more than one way to get things done...

 

[nikitis]

That second one looks like it would work better.

 

[musigenesis]

Those latches will work in terms of holding the door against the gasket, but they will kind of defeat the purpose of installing a lock in the first place since you'll only be able to open the door from the inside, which effectively locks it anyway. If you still have the original three-point latching mechanism, perhaps you can put it back and then install your lock somewhere else. If you've already thrown it away, perhaps you can install a replacement three-point latch kit like this one.

On my bus, I kept the original three-point latch but cut off the outside handle and riveted a patch over the opening. This way, the door can only be opened from the inside (so it's secure) and it can be opened easily in case of an emergency where I need to get out of the bus quickly. Of course it can't be used as an entrance this way, but a rear door is not really a practical entrance anyway.