Door alignment

[rbryant]

I have a passenger door which is a poor fit at the bottom rear, ie the sill bulge on the door stands out from the rear wing. The upshot is wind noise over about 50 mph. Having just had it serviced, it isn't due a visit for a bit, so I am wondering whether it is a job I can attempt. Looking carefully and comparing with the driver's door, I reckon I need to adjust the top hinge out a bit so that the bottom rear comes in. Anyone tried it successfully or should I leave it to the pros?

[plasticman]

There are normally spacers between the hinge bracket and the body ,if you loosen the 13mm bolts from inside the car you can slide out , add more or swap around.To get to the bolts you have to pull away some of the carpet round the cill at the bottom and struggle a little behind the dash at the top.You may also have to adjust your window runners afterwards, good luck , Dave

[rbryant]

Thanks, I can see one of the top bolts (but only one - there are 2 on the outside) behind the carpet, but no sign of the bottom ones which seem to be under the car. Have not really crawled under the car yet, so will have a better look tomorrow.

[plasticman]

I dont think you can usually see either of the top bolts but the bottom ones are behind the sill carpet. Remove the floor carpet then lift away the sill carpet and backing . there may be some plastic film covering two hoes of about 1.5" giving access to the bolts .

[rbryant]

Thanks, thats a big help. Always a bit reluctant to start taking the car apart without knowing what I am doing, but I am patient and methodical with these problems, so will have a go at the weekend.

[rbryant]

A bit more info for anyone attempting this, as I had a go at it and have succeeded at least partially.

The 2 bolts holding the top hinge undo from the inside, and you will need a socket set with a swivel connector thingy. As you loosen them (a bit is all that is needed), the door is free to drop. As my bottom rear corner was a bit proud (ooh er missus) I used a large washer with a slot cut out to slip between the outer hinge plate and body to move the top front out a bit, therefore pushing the bottom rear in a bit.

Next I wedged the door on cardboard, closed it until it looked right or a fraction too high to allow for drop on release, and lay upside down in the footwell to do up the bolts. Adjust the striker on door, and bingo, a better fitting door.

Haven't tried the bottom hinge, and may have a do at that next as it still needs bringing in a bit at the bottom if possible.

Will find out if the wind noise is better tomorrow.

[dannyboyo]

I've got the exact same thing on my motor - bottom rear of passenger door sticking out a bit.

I read this last week and was hoping you'd let us know how you got on. May have a go myself now!

Cheers

[rbryant]

Wind noise is definitely better, so I have improved things somewhat. Just make sure you don't get stuck upside down in the footwell !! Getting in is the problem, once the bolts are done up you can at least open the paseenge door to get out.