I replaced the striker bolt or pin inside the door jam because the other was worn out and beat up. Now I have to slam the door to get to shut all the way without any movement. I noticed that its highly adjustable but cant get it shut completely without slamming it. It will only half shut if I just try to shut normally.

 

If you loosen the torq screw (size 50 I think) it should easily move back and forth. On mine I had to move it as far back as it could go or like you said the door wouldn't shut right. All is good now and no rattles anymore.

 

Also be sure there is the plastic striker bushing around the bolt, a lot of people wear them out then never replace, they are $4 at auto parts store in HELP! section.

 

May have it set up just a little too tight (too far in). Move it out a bit, the door should close easy. Then adjust in a tiny bit at a time until it's too tight again and go back just a hair.
The plastic striker fleetdriver mentioned is a must before you do anything of course.

 

OK I tried those plastic bushings and it was so tight it was almost impossible to open without someone pushing from the inside and me pulling form the outside. That said I took them off and the door would open without breaking my thumb! What gives? With bushing = very hard to open. Without bushing easy to open........should I put the bushing back on or not. If so how do I adjust tension on the door side? Seems way too fat to work rite!

 

So long as you got the ones that are the same length as the bolt then the door is made to operate with them, you may want to loosen the bolt and slide it forward a hair. When I replaced mine I just lined it back up with where it previously was, you will notice an indent in the paint along with a discolored circle were the bolt has sat.

Lubing the catch mechanism can never hurt, some WD40 or PB Blaster to clean the parts then some white lithium grease.

 

Hows you door hinges ?

 

just replaced mine the other night. I notice a little rattle but i noticed theres like 4 different spots you can end the striker.

-all the way back center
-all the way back lower
-all the way back higher
-almost all the way back center (worked for me)

shut the door slowly and watch if the door jumps up or down a little then adjust. Its a pain in the *** and you look crazy out there doing it, but its well worth the BS!