Two years ago my rear water compartment door was getting very hard to open. Last winter, the only way to get the compartment open was to open the adjoining compartment, then reach inn from the side and depress the water compartment door latch.
Hoping the problem was as simple as a broken handle or rod, I removed the door latch handle mechanism and check the the release, it moved freely. However, when I pulled on the rods, the rear latch moved freely, but the front latch wouldn’t budge. It looked like something was jamming the rod or the latch itself. The only way to find out was to remove the latch assembly.
Most of the photos I’ve seen of the latch had it mounted to the outside of the frame, but mine was mounted on the inside of the frame. The only way to replace it was to disassemble the frame. I kept putting this off as I thought it was going to be a monumental task. As it turns out, it was fairly easy.
1) Remove the screws that hold the frame pieces together, three of the screws came out but one broke inside the frame. (more on this later.)
2) To get the frame to slide off of the door panel, place a block of wood against the frame and tap it with a hammer. After some tapping and prying, the frame pieces finally came off. Once I had the frame rail off, it was obvious why the latch wouldn’t move. Water had gotten inside the latch and it had literally rusted itself and jammed.
3) Remove the screw and self locking nut that hold the latch to the frame piece.
4) On the corner screw that broke off, I used a Dremel tool and carefully ground off the broken pieces that were still in the frame extrusion. I then used a wire brush to clean up the inner surfaces of the frame extrusion
5) When I reassembled the latch and foam, I used Stainless hardware and self locking nuts #6×3/4 screws for the frame, and #10×24 x 1/2 inch machine screws and self locking nuts.
6) Reassemble the frame, gentle tapping with a rubber mallet.
7) Install new stainless crews in the corners then install the release mechanism.
The entire project took about 2 hours. Most of the time was spent carefully grinding away at the broken corner screw so I wouldn’t damage the frame.
Thanks for your details! Have you ever looked into changing the locks? My one key is a bit worn down, and is a little difficult on some locks… wondering how difficult/easy this is to do?
I have to replace one bad latch. First I thought the way you have done it. But there is a very easy way without messing too much and damaging outside paint and aluminum frame strips.
More detail over here. In case you need to replace another one in future.
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/f53-2001-southwind-southwind-luggage-compartment-door-latch-repair-made-easy-594679.html