Windle

my drivers side door seams to have dropped by an inch or so ? is it possible to adjust it back up ?

All i have seen is 4 bolts that actually hold the door hinges in place. Loosen these and adjust up ? The top 2 are sadly covered by the dash though is it a dash out job

Cheers

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Use the other end (ie the striker plate on the B pillar)

Windle

ahh didn;t think it would actually adjust that, will give it a try tomorow but oddly it looks to have dropped quite a bit :S

Cheers

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Check the screws in the door lock bit too (the bit that hits the striker plate) as they also have adjustment in them.

iansoutham

It can't drop by that much when closed, are you sure you do not mean when the door is opened it drops down off the catch?

If so, then it is wear in the hinge nylon inserts where the pins sit. You can adjust the hinges up to compensate a little, but replacement is the only permanent cure, which is a right pain as it is welded to the door on one side and bolted on the other.

Caused by people putting weight on the door when opened, i.e. leaning on the top of it, etc...

Windle

sounds like a right pain in the arse

i will try to take a picture of both sides today to show you the drop. The passenger side which is ok has been replaced a few years back by my sprayer and that one is bang on. Drivers side is origional door and is deffo out of sync.

The actual door catch in the door doean't look to have much movement, i presume the one on the b door pillar maybe the same ?

it doesnt drop when its clossed its when its open. When its clossed everything looks fine. When opened the door clearly drops a good inch or so, but when lifting the door their feels like no movement at all :S

iansoutham

You can try this, but it may take some goes to get it perfect:

Remove inner trims in car to get access to 4 bolts on hinges in A-post,

Shut door and put a spacer @ the bottom of the door halfway along and one near the front. Soft wood is ideal, NOT cardboard as it compresses too much. Obviously, protect paintwork first. It does not have to be wedged tight, just "in place" and touching the metalwork.

Looson the top hinge ONLY and gently ease the studs forward as far as they will go. Retighten and repeat for lower hinge. This should take up the free-play in the nylon insert. Remove pieces of wood from the doot shuts and open door CAREFULLY. IF successful, this will have removed the problem, temporarily @ least. I have done this with success myself, so I can assure you it does work. However, this is only temporary as the nylon will be worn away by now, so the problem will come back.

There is no need to adjust the striker on the b-post as the door shuts okay. Altering that will alter the door position when shut ONLY.

Windle

cheers mate will take a look

doing the garden today so cant play with the car

DROPTOP

dont you have to take out the dash to get at the bolts on the top hinge?

Windle

looks like it to me too, but maybe with some messing you may be able to get to them ?

andre_k

iTrader: (2)

i have the same prob on my mk4 cabby drivers door, it needs to come up by 1cm or so

iansoutham

Nope.

Remove dash clocks, Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws for the ducting to the A-post and drop down for access to the drivers air vent, which you can then tap out from the rear to give viewing access. Deep 13mm socket with 3-inch extension and you can do it that way.

Windle

excellent, will hopefully give it a try tomorow if i get time

Windle

still not had chance to touch the car since

however i looked at a car last night which has its doors off for painting. The hinges i am trying to adjust are seam sealed in place as well ! so even if i loosen the bolts behind the dash etc am i going to have to remove all this too :S

iansoutham

They should not be seam-sealed in place. This is the only was to remove the door without trying to tap the pins out (which never works in the 1st place)