it appears the door latch should have a rubber coating, but what about the cavity where the latch is located? should there also be rubber in the cavity? i found decomposed rubber/plastic in the cavity. not certain what it was


yes, rubber here for sure

but what about down in that cavity?

 

Lots of grease mostly.

 

Just rubber/plastic around the "hook" part.

 

thanks for the response guys. hmmmm, I guess that could have been dried up old grease that was in the cavity

 

There is a plastic block in the cavity (arrow).Just behind the steel piece in front of the arrow.White or sometimes black in color.Its where the torx head on the striker stops on, i believe.

 

Happen to have any photos you can share?

 

None of my own, but here's a couple.Visible here in white.Though ive seen them in black.They keep the striker from rattling i believe.Your looks like its missing, hard to tell though.

Some have nubs to hold them in place, but some dont use em.