Door Adjustment

[Spuds]

So, a while ago I noticed my passenger side door is mounted about 5 millimeters too low. It sounds small, but it's pretty noticable looking at it.

Anyone know how I might be able to adjust the door's height? Or if it even can be adjusted? Not expecting it to be easy, but it would help to know what it takes before I start taking things apart. Might just see what it costs for a body shop to handle it.

[humfrz]

How about a picture ....??

It appears to me that if the rear of the door is sagging, that you might try adjusting the striker, to see if it would bring the door up when it closes.

If the whole door is low, it could be raised by adjusting the hinges.

Bubby says just to keep drunk people from swinging on it. Then take a floor jack and jack up the door, when it's open, till it gets "right" .....


humfrz

[Brink]

Originally Posted by Spuds

So, a while ago I noticed my passenger side door is mounted about 5 millimeters too low. It sounds small, but it's pretty noticable looking at it.

Anyone know how I might be able to adjust the door's height? Or if it even can be adjusted? Not expecting it to be easy, but it would help to know what it takes before I start taking things apart. Might just see what it costs for a body shop to handle it.

Being 5mm off sounds pretty serious for pretty much anything on a car. Pics?

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Brink

Being 5mm off sounds pretty serious for pretty much anything on a car. Pics?

You are correct, looking at it again 5mm was an exaggeration and it's not entirely in the vertical direction.

Pictures aren't the best, but I attempted to capture the problem:


Rear of the door is just a bit low and needs to be pulled inwards to line up with the rear quarter panel and weather stripping.

Looking at the front of the door, most of the problem is actually the fender. It is too high and too far out. Was looking to at least partially take care of both front and back with the door adjustment. If I fixed the fender, I would probably have to adjust the door anyway... Also, then the hood would be a bit off...

[Sapphireho]

Body alignment isn't easy. I would recommend paying for an hour of an experts time.

[Spuds]

Pictures of the driver's side for comparison. Driver's side is perfectly aligned by my eye.

[humfrz]

I still suggest you adjust the striker plate, that's on the door jamb. That will bring the rear of the door up and force the front of the door down.

I'm ah feared you are starten to overthink this .....


humfrz

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I still suggest you adjust the striker plate, that's on the door jamb. That will bring the rear of the door up and force the front of the door down.

I'm ah feared you are starten to overthink this .....


humfrz

Wouldn't that just make the door not close properly?

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Body alignment isn't easy. I would recommend paying for an hour of an experts time.

That is of course the smart thing to do. I just figured it would be interesting to try it out myself. Trying to build up my comfort level doing more complicated and difficult car things than standard maintenance.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Wouldn't that just make the door not close properly?

I figure that if you move the striker latch thing on the jamb UP slightly, it will force the latch in the door to ride up to meet it ...... thus raising the back of the door when it is closed (latched).

If I close my door just "to" (about to latch) it is a bit lower than the line on the body panel ....... but when I push it "to" (closed) the top edge of the door is lined up with the body panel.

Hey, it's worth a try ...... only two screws to mess with. If you get it all messed up, you can always use duck tape to secure the door closed .....

Bubba says just give the striker a couple raps with a BFH ......


humfrz

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I figure that if you move the striker latch thing on the jamb UP slightly, it will force the latch in the door to ride up to meet it ...... thus raising the back of the door when it is closed (latched).

If I close my door just "to" (about to latch) it is a bit lower than the line on the body panel ....... but when I push it "to" (closed) the top edge of the door is lined up with the body panel.

Hey, it's worth a try ...... only two screws to mess with. If you get it all messed up, you can always use duck tape to secure the door closed .....

Bubba says just give the striker a couple raps with a BFH ......


humfrz

I'll try that out then.

[Brink]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I figure that if you move the striker latch thing on the jamb UP slightly, it will force the latch in the door to ride up to meet it ...... thus raising the back of the door when it is closed (latched).

If I close my door just "to" (about to latch) it is a bit lower than the line on the body panel ....... but when I push it "to" (closed) the top edge of the door is lined up with the body panel.

Hey, it's worth a try ...... only two screws to mess with. If you get it all messed up, you can always use duck tape to secure the door closed .....

Bubba says just give the striker a couple raps with a BFH ......


humfrz

Someone needs to figure out how to add a stat to humfrz counting the number of times Bubba says to get a BFH.

[Spuds]

Update. @humfrz was right about the back of the door. Now the handle has a bit more resistance but it closes and opens with no issues and alignment is... Better. I still think the door has mounting problems, but now you have to look REAL hard to notice anything on the back.

I fixed the front gap with loosening the fender and 'adjusting' it with some fiance help. Good news, its much better there too. Not perfect but not bothering me anymore.

Bad news:. My panel alignment project has turned into a paint repair project... Fender paint is apparently quite fragile and cracks. Oh well, lesson learned.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Update. ..............
Bad news:. My panel alignment project has turned into a paint repair project... Fender paint is apparently quite fragile and cracks. Oh well, lesson learned.

Good job!

Now, it's touch up paint time. I suggest you prep the area with alcohol then have your SO apply the touch up paint ...... just like she would on her fingernails .......


humfrz