Question regarding a '68C- Does anyone have experience with their door popping open repeatedly despite it seeming to latch securely, and can relate how it got fixed? Mine has been doing this for over a year now. At annual last month, I had a reputable MSC work on it quite a bit, and they replaced some components of the mechanism, including the main pin that is supposed to lock when you push the handle down. The handle in the cabin does seem to latch with more authority and less play now, but it the door still pops open frequently, in climb only. It happens 50% of the time and particularly if I climb steep. If someone keeps firm downward pressure on the handle during climb, it does not happen. I've taken to using a big binder clip with a bungee cord on it to serve the same purpose- this works too but makes my plane look like a Rube Goldberg contraption.
SO I'm thinking that with age rear body panel with the hole for the two pins has started to flex just enough in climb to let the pins slip out. Sometimes I'll notice that after leveling off I have a little more noise than expected, and the door is very slightly ajar- I suspect the shorter, spring loaded pin has slipped out at that point. Any slight manipulation of the door after that makes it pop open fully.
Obviously I'm taking back to the MSC, but any help in giving them guidance is appreciated. It's cold and noisy enough up there without the door making it worse. And it freaks out passengers even if I prepare them.