'66 door alignments.....how to?

[Sams '66]

My driver side door is aligned perfectly....
However, the passenger side is off.
It seems that the top is leaning out and the bottom of the door leans in just a bit. just enough to really bug me.

How is this fixed? can it be fixed?

thanks in advance.....

cheers


Sam

 

[Ron Miller]

There are factory shims used between the door hinge and the door (as needed) at the upper and lower hinge. You should be able to shim the door to fit, has this been done? If so, where are you with the shims in the door hinges? Do you have any shims added to the bottom hinge to shim the door out? How many shims do you have at the top hinge and at the bottom hinge?

This info will tell us where to go from there.

rlm



:cool

 

[Sams '66]

There appears to be no shims at all.....either side, top or bottom.

I can see how adding or removing shims would in effect move the door back or forward as needed.....but how can I affect the top being out too far and the bottom being in too far......It would seem that the door would need to skew on an axis ...bottom moving out, top moving in???

Are the hing bolt holes elongated for any type of micro adjustments?

Thanks for the help!

Sam

 

[Ron Miller]

The shims I'm talking about are between the door hinge and the door, not between the door hinge and the body. There is no adjustment of the door hinge at the body mount. The shims do indeed go between the door hinge and the door, you have to remove the door panel to gain access to them. Forward and backward adjustment of the door is also made at this point, the door will adjust by sliding fore and aft. And, movement of the top in/out and bottom in/out is made thru the use of special shims located between the door and door hinge.

This is sort of a tricky manuver, usually helps to have someone help to hold the door in position while tightening the bolts. Hope this helps.

rlm:cool

 

[Sams '66]

AhhhhhHaaaaa!

Hey thanks.......I have never messed with a mid year door adjustment....you are being ULTRA helpful!

Thanks.....I'll check the shims again!

Sam

 

[Ron Miller]

No problem, I've been thru it a few times with both of mine. The shims are specially made, but are available thru a variety of aftermarket Vette suppliers.

rlm:cool

 

[Ron Miller]

One other thing, in addition to the adjustment of the doors at the door hinges, the vent window/window channel is adjustable at both the front and rear of the mid-year convertibles. Start with a proper fit on the doors, then see if the vent window/window needs adjustment as well. Should have put this in the previous post. Sorry!

rlm:cool