Abstract:
A striker assembly includes a reinforcement bracket having a threaded stud, a receptacle, and laterally spaced-apart opposed-facing cam shoulders. The reinforcement bracket is welded onto the vehicle body rear panel with the threaded stud at a precise vertical and transverse location determined by a locating fixture which seats against the compartment lid opening of the vehicle body. A striker bracket has the striker rod mounted thereon, an end which fits within the receptacle of the reinforcement bracket, and an aperture which fits over the threaded stud. Flanges bent from the striker bracket define cam faces which overlie the cam shoulders of the reinforcement bracket. As a nut is threaded onto the threaded stud, the striker bracket is forced into overlying engagement with the reinforcement bracket. The fit between the end of the striker bracket and the receptacle of the reinforcement bracket shifts the striker bracket in the direction to always maintain a contact between the threaded stud and the wall of the striker bracket aperture so that the striker rod carried by the striker bracket is precisely located in the vertical direction by the threaded stud. Simultaneously, the cam flanges of the striker bracket are forcibly seated on the cam shoulders of the reinforcement bracket to precisely locate the striker rod transversely with respect to the precise transverse location of the reinforcement bracket.