Reviving the Bandera

[Scolli]

I've been reading this board for a while now, but this is my first post.

I've been working on reviving my 1996 New Braunfels Bandera and run into a snag.
So far I've scraped all the rust off, repainted with High temp paint, replaced the door thermometer with something more accurate, and built and installed the baffle mod.

The one problem I'm having though, is with the smoke chamber door. When I shut it and turn the latch, it always pops back out a little bit. For example if you're closing the door and the handle starts at the 2 o'clock position, I turn it clockwise to the 6 o'clock position... and then when I take my hand off it turns back to about the 5 o'clock position as the door pops out a bit.

I should have taken it back when I first bought it in 96, but I think after 12 years it's bit too late.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a fix?

[Norcoredneck]

Try opening door and bend lever to hold better. I door seems sprung on hinges take 2 small pieces of wood and put them where hinges are. Slowly close door until you feel it give a little. remove wood and see how it works now. Don't force it, go slow to be sure not to buckle lip at himges.

[eagle697]

The only time i had this problem with mine, it was because i had a shelf at the exact height the lever went to when i tried to latch the door. Moved the shelf up or down and problem went away. May want to check this before you go bending things. My not be the answer but always start small.

[nmayeux]

Try tweaking first, but if that doesn't work, I know that some of the brothers have installed an oven gasket.

[Norcoredneck]

The only time i had this problem with mine, it was because i had a shelf at the exact height the lever went to when i tried to latch the door. Moved the shelf up or down and problem went away. May want to check this before you go bending things. My not be the answer but always start small.
Forgot about shelf. Mine was just like that. Also mine depended on turning one direction to lock it.

[Scolli]

Thanks for the replies.

I've already eliminated the racks as being the problem because it the door does the same thing even with the racks removed. I have to say I went out with a rubber hammer and hit the top of the smoker door a bit and it seemed to help. The way it is now it's almost like the door was rotated about 3 degrees counterclockwise when closed.

I'm thinking some well placed hammering might make it close a bit better-or make me feel better anyway!