Aligning exterior doors

[Kid_Again]

With both cars, all 4 doors need to be aligned and all have the same problem. The rear of each door is too low. Any advice on how to properly realign? I've been told forget about a realignment and first get the hinges repinned and start from scratch. I can do that but wonder if it's worth it.

Can I just support the doors with a floor jack and adjust them "up" a 1/4" in the back or is that a Bubba fix? I see that Eastwoods sells a door alignment tool - worth it? Buying a new tool versus the cost of sending this out to a pro makes the cost of any tool insignificant.

Thx.

 

[BarryK]

d*am, I just read a great article about aligning doors on midyears but would have to go thru all my magazines to try to find it again - it was in an older issue of Corvette Fever.
On my '65 coupe which just spent 10 months in the body/paint shop, one thing that I had them concentrate on was the door alignments so the gaps were all perfect. The very first thing he did was to check the hinges and make sure they were tight and proper before touching anything else. I'm not positive but i'm pretty sure on the drivers door one or both of the holding rivits was loose and allowing play so that had to be dealt with before he did anything else.
based on how difficult it is to get proper alignment on the coupes in particular I'd say start with the hinges first to make sure everything is tight and than deal with the alignment to get the gaps straight, even and correct.

Others with much more knowledge than me will jump in and correct me i'm sure and give you better advice

 

[JohnZ]

With both cars, all 4 doors need to be aligned and all have the same problem. The rear of each door is too low. Any advice on how to properly realign? I've been told forget about a realignment and first get the hinges repinned and start from scratch. I can do that but wonder if it's worth it.

Can I just support the doors with a floor jack and adjust them "up" a 1/4" in the back or is that a Bubba fix? I see that Eastwoods sells a door alignment tool - worth it? Buying a new tool versus the cost of sending this out to a pro makes the cost of any tool insignificant.

Thx.

Step #1 is to make sure the hinge pins/bushings are OK - open the door about a foot, and pull up and down on the end of the door; if there's up-down movement, the bushings are worn and should be replaced.

If the hinges are OK, you can re-fit the doors. Remove the trim panels and you'll see six bolts at each hinge-to-door attachment. Also remove the door strikers on the body lock pillar. You can support the bottom of the door with a wood saddle with carpet on it on a floor jack and adjust the up-down and fore-aft fit of the door by working with the hinge-to-door attachments, making SMALL adjustments (in-out adjustment at the front is done with the 6-slot shims you'll see between the hinge straps and the door reinforcement). Once you have the door fitted to your satisfaction, THEN re-install the striker and adjust for smooth closing and in-out position; the striker does NOT position the door up-down - it just latches it and sets in-out.

 

[Kid_Again]

"Way to go John.......


thanks

 

[jims427400]

Kid Again,

I too have the same problem on my 67 coupes drivers door.My hinges are solid but the two rivets that are noticable inside of door jamb are loose like someone forced the door open beyond the hinge ability.I have been told that that is quite job replacing worn rivets but if you do tackle that job,carrage bolts work well from what I've been told.Looking forward to your feedback.. Jim

 

[Kid_Again]

Kid Again,

I too have the same problem on my 67 coupes drivers door.My hinges are solid but the two rivets that are noticable inside of door jamb are loose like someone forced the door open beyond the hinge ability.I have been told that that is quite job replacing worn rivets but if you do tackle that job,carrage bolts work well from what I've been told.Looking forward to your feedback.. Jim

thanks...good point