Door latch sticking

[Jagoffizier]

The driver door latch on my 1971 280SE 3.5 coupe is sticking and hard to open. I intend to purchase a replacement latch. Is replacement I can do (I am not too handy) or can my local body shop (good person) do it without any problem.
Thanks in advance!

[lreppond]

Perhaps you need a new latch but I seriously doubt it.  I’m more inclined to think the door is out of alignment.  I’d have your body shop look at before ordering any new parts. 

[ja17]

Put a light coat of grease on the striker cone. If it helps, as Len mentioned, it is probably out of alignment. Those big doors begin to sag over time as the hinges wear. An adjustment will usually fix it.

[Jagoffizier]

Thank you for your responses. I have read that the lock can stick such that the door stays shut. That then requires the panel to be cut, which I really want to avoid. I will try the grease and have my shop ch3ck the door. It looks aligned, but I have had past problems with opening and closing. Again, thank you!

[ja17]

Try adjusting the striker cone on the door jamb also. It will move when all the fastening Philips head screws are loosened. Try loosening them, then tighten just very lightly. Close the door. Now tighten down all screws tightly. You might also add a shim under the striker cone. Most have shims already.

[Cees Klumper]

On my son's 240Z, the passenger door was very difficult to close all the way, it was invariably getting stuck in the first rather than final 'catch' despite many attempts at re-aligning and adjusting the mechanism, striker etc. What finally solved this was a very minor amount of lubrication of the latching mechanism.