Harman Accentra Latch

[Bank]

I am having a weird problem with my six year old FS Harman Accentra. Lately, I've noticed that when replace the cast iron heat deflector on the left side after the weekly cleaning, the latch will not come down squarely to hold the deflector in place. It will only move down so far and If I open the door it falls forward. Without the deflector in place it moves freely.

Anyone else experience this. I know when I put the deflector back it is flush and the two tabs at the bottom are seated properly and the plate moves back into place. Very strange.

 

[Lake Girl]

Is it possible the cast plate has warped?

 

[Delta-T]

get a paintbrush up in around the latch. on occasion when i pull the plates out some ash gets into the latch and makes it obnoxious to set down right. a quick attack with the paintbrush usually fix it right up.