Suggestions for fixing cupboard catch

[Ingwe]

The catch on one of the overbed storage cupboards is no longer catching. I don’t have a photo of the catch itself but will describe the issue. The catch is in the centre of the storage cupboard and it works with a little levered catch that you pull down and the movement depresses a little plastic nub that catches on the plastic lip on the floor of the cupboard. I’ve attached a photo showing the closed catch in situ.
I thought I could raise the lip a little (2mm) by putting a bit of card or something under the plastic lip. But the lip is rigid and there is no way of getting anything underneath it without breaking it. Drilling a new hole in the cupboard itself and moving the catch lower down either to the left or right of the original hole is unappealing as there would be a big hole where the catch goes through the cupboard.
So I wondered whether there is a way of lowering the catch by 2mm say. Drilling new holes so close to the existing holes may be difficult. I’m sure to DIYers this is a simple problem so suggestions most appreciated.
Why bother fixing it? Well the cupboard can just open, spilling the contents and I feel it should click shut as intended.
Thanks

 

[Burgo]

Two magnets and a dob of araldite. You can get the high strength ones, or even neodymium ones, in all sorts of sizes on Amazon dead cheap,or could probably skip dive a couple if you're in no hurry.

 

[hja]

Two magnets and a dob of araldite. You can get the high strength ones, or even neodymium ones, in all sorts of sizes on Amazon dead cheap,or could probably skip dive a couple if you're in no hurry.

Interesting. We have a similar problem with one of our catches - the base of the cupboard seems to be bowed slightly downwards - just enough to stop the catch catching.

 

[Ingwe]

Interesting. We have a similar problem with one of our catches - the base of the cupboard seems to be bowed slightly downwards - just enough to stop the catch catching.

Sounds very like our problem. Bowing might be very slight. Can see the magnet suggestion will keep the cupboard from opening.

 

[Minxy]

Can you put something on the 'plastic nub' instead to make it a bit longer so it correctly sits on the plastic lip?

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[Off da Grid]

Loosen the screws in the hinges on the doors and lower them slightly, they should have slotted holes for the purpose.
Your hinges maybe getting weak as well. replaced all mine catches are pretty redundant now.
You can also move the L shaped catch till they hold better.

 

[Ingwe]

Can you put something on the 'plastic nub' instead to make it a bit longer so it correctly sits on the plastic lip?

I’ll have a look at this (and all the other helpful suggestions) next time I’m at the van (kept in storage about 5 miles from home). Thanks

 

[berni109]

The lip is the thing to move or replace with something similar. I would not be looking to move the handle part on the cupboard face.
As Burgo said you can get very strong small magnets a couple each end of the door and it would need quite a pull to open it.

 

[Geistguy]

Could the internal spring have gone a bit weak ? If so and if accessible you could replace.

 

[Ingwe]

Could the internal spring have gone a bit weak ? If so and if accessible you could replace.

No, it’s not the spring. The catch is just not catching.

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[Terry]

Can you pack the keep up a little?

 

[xsparks]

Washers underneath or thin plastic such as milk bottle perhaps.

 

[Ingwe]

Can you pack the keep up a little?

Washers underneath or thin plastic such as milk bottle perhaps.

I’ve tried to pack something (a bit of card) under the plastic keep but as I said in my original post, the lip is rigid plastic and although I removed the one screw holding the lip down, the lip was rigid and completely unyielding so I didn’t want to risk breaking it. When I go to van, I’ll see whether there is scope, as suggested by Off da Grid to adjust the screws of the catch a little. Or maybe the magnets.

 

[Terry]

Undo both screws and pack it up. You will not get any movement on the catch side of things. If you have a vice try bending a piece of metal and cutting it a little higher. Another alternative is if you have a price of Ali angle, fashion another keep out of that

 

[suavecarve]

I have the answer !!!!!

We had this and I could get into one side and scratch the bejesus out of my arm to release it (eventually)

So i thought to myself, what would happen if that cupbord there broke and I was getting round to it and hey ho the latch broke so we were technically stuffed. (as i couldnt use the same tactics)

After a few head scratchings I put a pair of long nose pliers in the gap with the pliers open to reduce pressure and increased the gap between the base and door and the latch pinged with no damage. So excited was I that I succeeded it closed immediately on me. Anyway it worked second time as well and then we put the latch back with some superglue holding the screw part together

If you do try this (at your own volition) something less metallic and less likely to cause damage (ours didnt) might be a consideration

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[Off da Grid]

These overhead lockers can be a pain to get just right to fit properly.