Passenger Door Sagging

[chevyaddict]

Hi all;
I searched the forums but didn't find my precise problem so I thought I would just ask. I'm not restoring this 81 just yet; but I am getting it painted. The passenger door sags bad - to the point it doesn't like to open even. It is definitely the door hinge you can see the gap between the front fender and the door itself is much wider on the top than the bottom. No doubt the door striker needs replaced too. My question is, can I realign this door pretty easily where it bolts to the car? Is this a realistic task?
Dawn

 

[craig32]

Dawn,
Good chance it needs new pins and bushings in the hinges. I had to do one door on my 81 when I got it painted, like $10 from Advance Auto. Not too bad of a job, just need to support the door while you remove the hinge. . .
Craig

 

[JohnZ]

If the door sags in the opening, it's not the striker, it's the hinges; either the bushings for the hinge pins are worn, or the hinge attachments are loose. The door is fitted first to the opening without the striker in place, and the striker is added last, only to set the in-out at the back of the door. The striker has nothing to do with positioning the door in the opening (except for in-out).

 

[chevyaddict]

Cool! I'll check out the Eckler's catalog right now. I'm ordering a bunch of little trinkets and will add that to my list!! Thanks!!!

Yes, I realize the door striker doesn't align the door but looks BAD... you can tell it has broken away - its in two pieces so to speak due to the door not hitting it correctly.

 

[chevyaddict]

Ok... it doesn't "look" as though the hinge bushings are worn at all.... the door swivels just fine - it just sags. Can't I just loosen the hinges and realign the door??? Wouldn't it just be easier to do that then attempt to extract the pin and put in new bushings?

 

[paintdaddy]

Open the door and lift up on the back of it a few times,it is probably lose,this means it is worn,they are notorious for this.You could just readjust the door but its just putting a bandaid on the problem.

 

[GaryS]

Ok... it doesn't "look" as though the hinge bushings are worn at all.... the door swivels just fine - it just sags. Can't I just loosen the hinges and realign the door??? Wouldn't it just be easier to do that then attempt to extract the pin and put in new bushings?

Door opening and closing ease is not an indication of your hinges and bushings. As is suggested above, open your door fully and grab the far end of it. Life up and see if you have any movement. Any movement indicates worn bushings. These bushings are brass and easily replace. You can drive over to your local GM dealer and get them since they were used in about a billion or two cars. No need to order from a catalog. I doubt that you will need new door pins though. Cheap and easy fix and something that is easily do-able by anyone. This is a common problem with GM doors hinges.

Gary

 

[Blitz]

Sagging doors on C3

I recently bought my first Corvette... a 1981 C3... but I consulted a friend that did a GREAT job restoring his 1979 and has at least 5 cars under his belt (also 2 boats... but I bring it up to emphasise HIS experience).

As I was shopping he said that the C3 had a tendency to sag in the middle , indicated by the doors showing an inconsistent gap. The remedy could be to replace the 8 frame/body bushings... which would re-align the sagging body segments with a straight frame - and make the subsequent door adjustments more permanent.

I trust his judgement and would definitely crawl under and measure these bushings before adjusting the door hinges.... cause its free! I think the bushing replacement cost would be less than $15 (no labor) if you went to poly...


just a thought... (did I mention that I know little about C3's ?... but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!) :ugh

Blitz

 

[chevyaddict]

Thanks Blitz but this is only a one-side problem so I doubt that is it... besides that the car only has 103000 miles on it.
Thanks though!!!
Dawn

 

[chevyaddict]

Door opening and closing ease is not an indication of your hinges and bushings. As is suggested above, open your door fully and grab the far end of it. Life up and see if you have any movement. Any movement indicates worn bushings. These bushings are brass and easily replace. You can drive over to your local GM dealer and get them since they were used in about a billion or two cars. No need to order from a catalog. I doubt that you will need new door pins though. Cheap and easy fix and something that is easily do-able by anyone. This is a common problem with GM doors hinges.

Gary

Hey Gary.. finally got to looking at this today. Absolutely NO MOVEMENT AT ALL, so I'm guessing the bushings are good. So, I'm thinking I just need to loosen the bolts and realign the door. However, how do you get to the door bolts? Do I have to pull off the inner kick panel to reach them??? Doesn't appear so but that seems to be the only way. Can anyone help?

 

[paintdaddy]

Hey Gary.. finally got to looking at this today. Absolutely NO MOVEMENT AT ALL, so I'm guessing the bushings are good. So, I'm thinking I just need to loosen the bolts and realign the door. However, how do you get to the door bolts? Do I have to pull off the inner kick panel to reach them??? Doesn't appear so but that seems to be the only way. Can anyone help?

You can get to the door bolts through the access holes in the door .You need to remove the door panel first.

 

[chevyaddict]

I wanted to adjust the ones that are bolted to the body of the car... not the ones bolted on the door. The door needs to be shifted "up" and I don't think that I can do that if I shift the ones on the door itself can I? It would see the hinges as they are mounted to the body need to be adjusted....

 

[paintdaddy]

I wanted to adjust the ones that are bolted to the body of the car... not the ones bolted on the door. The door needs to be shifted "up" and I don't think that I can do that if I shift the ones on the door itself can I? It would see the hinges as they are mounted to the body need to be adjusted....

You can shift it up with either of the places where they mount,to the body or the door.The door is easier but if you like the kick panel,that works too.Im just wondering why the door would be out of alignment for no reason.:confused

 

[chevyaddict]

Yea.... I was pondering that myself today. The car doesn't have but 103,000 miles on it. You can see it though when you close it... it sounds down about 1/4 inch.... and the gap toward the front of the door on the top, obviously, is pretty wide. Dunno.... Your right, it will be easier to remove the door panel and do it that way so I'll try that tomorrow!

 

[LT4man]

When you get ready to adjust your hinges, this is what I would do.

Open the door completely. Position a floor jack under the rear (trailing) of the door. Put a 2x4 between the door and the jack. Position the 2x4 so that it sits under the flat part of the door. Not the outer door skin. We do not want to crack any fiberglass that is involved.

After loosening the hinge bolts (keep them tight enough to keep the door in place) jack up the door slowly. When you get it where you think it is high enough, tighten the hinge bolts. Tightening two on each hinge should be enough to keep the door from moving. Lower the jack and try to close the door - slowly. See where you are. You should be good to go.

If everything looks good, tighten the other two bolts on the hinges.

Save The Wave!

 

[chevyaddict]

Hey Thanks Gregory!! But actually I've done this alot on my Camaros... hee hee. On the camaros, though, the bolts that go to the body you reach from the outside, carefully, usually takes those darn knuckle joints which I hate. The Corvette, though is different in this respect. I may wait to have some help as an extra pair of hands would make it easier!!!

 

[LT4man]

If your door is hanging down too far, I would think that the hinge adjustment on the body needs to be changed. Not where the hinge attaches to the door.

Just my .02.

If the gap at the front of the door is wider at the top than at the bottom, then what I am thinking is correct.

Save The Wave!

 

[chevyaddict]

I agree.... I just hate to take the kick panel out... ugh. What are you doing up so late anyway???

 

[LT4man]

Dawn,

I definitely agree with you about having an extra set of hands! That is the best way. Mucho easier to work with a door that is pretty heavy. Even tho it is made of fiberglass!

Save The Wave!

 

[LT4man]

The kick panel is not that hard. You should try working under the dash of a C4!

I am not up that late. I don't think I am. Why are up so early? Are there two hours time difference between us?

I am just waiting for the temp outside to go below 90. That might not happen for a couple more hours.

Save The Wave!