taguy16

The left door latch on my 1989 Camaro is kaput, and I'm noticing the new ones being reproduced are for 1982-1988 F-bodies; it looks like they also fit G-bodies. I'm wondering if these will work on my 1989. Looking at pictures of them online it looks like the only difference is in how one of the rods attaches to the latch (plastic retainer vs. metal retainer), which I'm thinking doesn't matter. Do I have this right?

Thanks for any help with this.

ACebell

Check out this thread:

Door latch experiment, affordable door latches found!!!! - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

I ordered them from Amazon - but have not installed them yet (since I am in the middle of paint prep).

taguy16

Thanks. That's really helpful. It looks like those are the same latches as what I have save for the one rod retainer. Looks like the way to change that is to drill out the hole on the latch where the rod goes thru so you can use a plastic retainer instead of a metal clip.

taguy16

The The main difference I'm seeing between the cheap Chinese 940-102 latch - which is listed for GM pick-ups - and the much more expensive Goodmark F/G-body repop is the latter has the reinforcing beads stamped into the projection that sticks up to hold one of the actuator levers, and it has a gold cad finish like the original. Whether that's worth paying three times the price of the cheaper one is a good question. I suppose both would work, but for how long? It probably comes down to what your budget is and whether you're willing to risk having your door latch break prematurely and leave you with a door that can't be opened, at least very easily. I've been in situations working on cars where the door latch jams when the door is shut and that puts you in a state of panic wondering how in the world to get the door open without having to destroy it (which I thankfully have never had to do).