Driver side door has been getting harder and harder to close to the point I have to slam the **** out of it to close.
I've narrowed it down to the latch. A new latch is 400-500 dollars. Is there a way to repair these instead?

 

Are you sure that the door alignment is spot on?

 

It was bad before I painted my car. Had the door off to paint it, re aligned on install, same problem. The door doesn't jump either. Had all the seals off too.
In fact my passenger side needs to be re aligned and it closes effortlessly.

 

Besides spraying some lube in the latch, buying a new one may be the only other option.

 

@tomsn16

 

As far as I know door latches are not repairable....after 30 years most driversides wear-out.
I bought a new driver side latch from Ray Crowe last year for my car (59K mile chassis) and problem solved
As I recall price was $375.

 

does anyone know what actual wears out on the latch?

 

RHD and LHD mechanisms are different, but it might be a matter of swapping the connecting rods. The wiring may be different as well.

In any event, you might pick up a RHD version, used, for maybe $100, and try to DIY a swap.

 

I'll see what i can dig up used from a RHD. I may or may not update this thread, hopefully I remember.
edit: don't see anything used and all RHD stuff is expensive.

 

Yeah. Items seemed fully priced on Buyee right now. Let me know how far you get, and I can dig in my bins.

 

I have this box of RHD stuff coming is from friend. I'd have to see if the pieces are RHS or LHS.

 

Let me know if they will work and you want to part with one.