Cabin Door Latch Mechanism

[RLCarter]

I believe my door latch might need some looking into, my door has never come open in flight and seals very well. From the outside with the door closed the handle doesn't lay parallel with door, while latching from the inside it doesn't seem to go over center but it does rotate and pull the door tight at both latching points. The one thing that is prompting to me to take a look at it is closing the door requires either handle to be rotated to the open position or the lower rod that pulls the door in hits the door frame. I wouldn't think this is correct but I'm just not sure.

[takair]

There was an extensive thread on the subject last year.  May be worth doing a search...had photos and everything.  

[RLCarter]

I haven’t really found anything, and I’ve searched multiple times, most are doors opening in flight or not sealing. I guess my question is this the normal way to have to shut the door? Looking at the 2 rods # 43 & 45, it seem that if the door is open #45 “lock, pin should be retracted fully so the door would shut with out having to rotate either handle, #43 “catch” is beveled leaving me to think the door should be able to be closed either by pushing or pulling until the “catch” is engaged, then rotating the interior handle would engage the “lock pin”

 

Edited April 2, 2017 by RLCarter

[takair]

That is a good diagram, had not seen it before.  Your second description seems to be correct, although actual execution (build, rigging, wear) seems to vary.  I can close my door the way you describe, and the outside handle does streamline.  However, it takes a bit of a slam to get the beveled latch to catch, and their lies the rub.  To make it work, you MUST ensure that the door handle is open, then slam the door to overcome the seal, then lock the handle.  Mine has a particular feel once it is locked.....almost a hard to rotate, then as the door pulls in, it gets easy, then stops.  The problem with the technique I describe above, is that IF and WHEN you forget to open the handle prior to slamming, the lock pin will be out and damage the door sill/paint.  I suspect most Mooneys have the tell tale sign.  I personally prefer to open the handle, then SLOWLY pull the door shut and hold it like that while locking the handle.  A good friend prefers the other method, but insists that NOBODY, but him, touches the door.  I personally don't even trust myself to do it the slamming way, although I know it does work when done correctly.

[RLCarter]

Once the door is open and the handle released on mine both rods are exposed, no way it closing no matter how hard you slam it

[Hank]

Can't close my door by slamming, either. Too many pax try while I'm asking them to not slam it . . .  Pull door almost closed, rotate handle to fully open, pull door closed (pull hard), rotate handle to Locked position and feel the clunk. If no clunk, open handle, release door, pull it again, and rotate handle to Locked. It's been that way the whole ten years I've owned it, without noticeable change when I took the door panel off to clean / patch / paint and cleaned / lubricated the whole mechanism. 

[RLCarter]

Yep, I tell my pax before they even get seated good, they still manage to try and shut it several times before I have time to remind them......

[bixmooney]

On 4/2/2017 at 7:17 PM, RLCarter said:

I haven’t really found anything, and I’ve searched multiple times, most are doors opening in flight or not sealing. I guess my question is this the normal way to have to shut the door? Looking at the 2 rods # 43 & 45, it seem that if the door is open #45 “lock, pin should be retracted fully so the door would shut with out having to rotate either handle, #43 “catch” is beveled leaving me to think the door should be able to be closed either by pushing or pulling until the “catch” is engaged, then rotating the interior handle would engage the “lock pin”

 

Hi, 

I have a 'new' 1962 mooney m20c and having the door issue.  it popped open and then is sound like it wants to pop open.    Could you post the diagram again ?    it would not open and said not found when I tried to open it.   It would be greatly appreciated ! 

RB

[RLCarter]

@bixmooney this might help