How to remove the doors
Discussion
It's a two man job, one supporting the door, the other climbing inside the footwell and undoing the 4x nuts securing the door(don't forget to unplug the door electrics before you pull the door away too far)
Mirrors come off by twisting themalmost 90 degrees, there are two screws to undo in the neck.
Had doors off and stripped when I had the car wrapped, learnt a lot about the car during that week!
Mirrors come off by twisting themalmost 90 degrees, there are two screws to undo in the neck.
Had doors off and stripped when I had the car wrapped, learnt a lot about the car during that week!
As Ben advises, probably worth getting extra pair of hands.
You could 'prop' (underside of) door on timber blocks or a jack whilst undoing the hinge capscrews (6 or 8mm allen caps). There will likely be shims under the hinge(s) too, so make a note of how many and where they go.
Door electrics are on an 'aircraft' type plug - 1/4 turn and pull off.
I've never had the door completely off the car, but I have re-aligned them. I'd start by re-mounting the doors (including electrics) with the cap screws done up sufficiently to allow you to close the door with the 'mushroom' completely in the lock. Then visually check all around for even gaps and that the door outer skin is flush with the rest of the body. Adjust until you're happy with fit and appearance then really harden up on the capscrews. Final tightening is best done by leaning across the trans tunnel from other side, so as to NOT disturb door position. It's a bit of a judgement as to how tight you do the capscrews initially - you need just the right amount to allow you to move door and then hold the new position!! May take a few attempts to get it just right. I've also used rubber packing/door wedges to lift/move bottom door edge.
Nick
You could 'prop' (underside of) door on timber blocks or a jack whilst undoing the hinge capscrews (6 or 8mm allen caps). There will likely be shims under the hinge(s) too, so make a note of how many and where they go.
Door electrics are on an 'aircraft' type plug - 1/4 turn and pull off.
I've never had the door completely off the car, but I have re-aligned them. I'd start by re-mounting the doors (including electrics) with the cap screws done up sufficiently to allow you to close the door with the 'mushroom' completely in the lock. Then visually check all around for even gaps and that the door outer skin is flush with the rest of the body. Adjust until you're happy with fit and appearance then really harden up on the capscrews. Final tightening is best done by leaning across the trans tunnel from other side, so as to NOT disturb door position. It's a bit of a judgement as to how tight you do the capscrews initially - you need just the right amount to allow you to move door and then hold the new position!! May take a few attempts to get it just right. I've also used rubber packing/door wedges to lift/move bottom door edge.
Nick
I would not advise the above method if the car is getting repainted - there is likely to be pain whilst aligning the doors with fresh paint!
Align the doors perfectly before the strip down, do the allen keys as tight as you can so they wont slip.
You can remove the doors on the other side of the hinge very easily not disturbing anything inside the car. Then you just slip them back on and there is no need to align them as it should be perfect still.
Align the doors perfectly before the strip down, do the allen keys as tight as you can so they wont slip.
You can remove the doors on the other side of the hinge very easily not disturbing anything inside the car. Then you just slip them back on and there is no need to align them as it should be perfect still.
davidsc said:
I would not advise the above method if the car is getting repainted - there is likely to be pain whilst aligning the doors with fresh paint!
Align the doors perfectly before the strip down, do the allen keys as tight as you can so they wont slip.
You can remove the doors on the other side of the hinge very easily not disturbing anything inside the car. Then you just slip them back on and there is no need to align them as it should be perfect still.
David, are you saying remove door cards and remove the 'door' part of the hinge?Align the doors perfectly before the strip down, do the allen keys as tight as you can so they wont slip.
You can remove the doors on the other side of the hinge very easily not disturbing anything inside the car. Then you just slip them back on and there is no need to align them as it should be perfect still.
I'm curious - never thought of doing it that way...didn't know you could remove from the door moulding??
Or - can you somehow separate the hinge itself?
IMHO, I would have thought there is still a risk of marking paint whatever way you do it...but if there is a better way then please share.
Nick
davidsc said:
I would not advise the above method if the car is getting repainted - there is likely to be pain whilst aligning the doors with fresh paint!
Align the doors perfectly before the strip down, do the allen keys as tight as you can so they wont slip.
You can remove the doors on the other side of the hinge very easily not disturbing anything inside the car. Then you just slip them back on and there is no need to align them as it should be perfect still.
David, are you saying remove door cards and remove the 'door' part of the hinge?Align the doors perfectly before the strip down, do the allen keys as tight as you can so they wont slip.
You can remove the doors on the other side of the hinge very easily not disturbing anything inside the car. Then you just slip them back on and there is no need to align them as it should be perfect still.
I'm curious - never thought of doing it that way...didn't know you could remove from the door moulding??
Or - can you somehow separate the hinge itself?
IMHO, I would have thought there is still a risk of marking paint whatever way you do it...but if there is a better way then please share.
Nick
Took 45 mins to do both doors including having a cuppa.
I looked at taking the bolth out on the door roses but II just couldn't see how it would come out...maybe I was having a "moment". Just need to be careful putting it back.
Going for crystal topaz again! Very long story short, the paint shop have been so helpful at doing lots of colour spray outs and having it tested by various paint suppliers.
My car has been painted before but whilst it was OK it wasn't brilliant and had a few short cuts hence deciding to go for the whole thing.
It's close but slightly different what I am going for but it is what crystal topaz 2 should be and I now have a full paint make up list so should I need paint done in the future, the right match can be made.
They sprayed out a test shell for me to make sure I was happy
I'm very fussy so I'll defo recommended them if all goes to plan...they could be the saviour for anyone with crystal topaz!
I looked at taking the bolth out on the door roses but II just couldn't see how it would come out...maybe I was having a "moment". Just need to be careful putting it back.
Going for crystal topaz again! Very long story short, the paint shop have been so helpful at doing lots of colour spray outs and having it tested by various paint suppliers.
My car has been painted before but whilst it was OK it wasn't brilliant and had a few short cuts hence deciding to go for the whole thing.
It's close but slightly different what I am going for but it is what crystal topaz 2 should be and I now have a full paint make up list so should I need paint done in the future, the right match can be made.
They sprayed out a test shell for me to make sure I was happy
I'm very fussy so I'll defo recommended them if all goes to plan...they could be the saviour for anyone with crystal topaz!
I would reconmend you put the doors back on the way you took them off and line them up on the hinges before painting . To remove them you take the 17mm nut off the top hinge bolt and the allen bolts off the bottom hinge .On the early hinge there are two allen bolts and on the later just one with a hinge on the hinge itself . lift the door up while it is slightly open then let the bolt drop down out of the top hinge but still support it. This is a 5 minute job and you only need help to disconnect the loom (but not now you already have )
As Tuscanuwe said literally 5 minute job getting doors off, undo two allen bolts on bottom clamp undo 17mm nut on top rose joint pin pull door out slightly at bottom and door slides out.Bit more fiddly getting back on as limited visibility to get top pin in rose joint but no lining up required etc Pictures self explanatory. ![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/oxhtvkha.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/jbd7SXsb" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/jbd7SXsb.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/opFXKDeI" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/opFXKDeI.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/ehCQXwsP" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/ehCQXwsP.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/nl0CcajT" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/nl0CcajT.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/khLCSR21" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/khLCSR21.jpg)
Edited by nevm3 on Wednesday 29th April 11:33
Been think about having my car re-spayed which is also crystal topaz, I was going to go for a complete colour change because crystal topaz is such a btich to match up if you just need the front end done....
Will watch with interest of the finish results....
Could you also let us know which bodyshop is conducting the respray please....
Will watch with interest of the finish results....
Could you also let us know which bodyshop is conducting the respray please....
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