Recommend someone to align the doors and bonnet on my TVR

[zed4]

Hello,

Does anyone have any recommendations for someone who can realign the doors on my TVR? I really don’t have the time or the inclination to do it myself and I want to take it to someone who knows what they’re doing and who’s going to do a good job.

I may end up taking it to Southways, but it is a bit of a drive for me (an hour each way, 4 times, plus my girlfriend will need to drive to pick me up) and I know they’re mega busy right now.

So, is there anywhere who can look at this for me? Perhaps a bodyshop would be best? My passenger door shut line gap is much bigger than the driver’s door. The driver’s side door needs lifting up a fraction so it closes more smoothly, the window also needs adjusting, the bonnet isn’t quite straight and the boot lid is sitting a little high, it looks like it’s open when it’s not. So there’s quite a bit to do!

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I may end up just leaving it all until the winter, undecided yet. Ideally be located between Bournemouth and Southampton.

Thanks,

Dan

[jamienshelly]

Hi Dan, I would say do it yourself with a friend or brother, To align the doors is fairly easy and can be done in about 1/2 hour, the bonnet is not that hard either, you just need more than 1 pair of hands. Plus if you do it yourself you can adjust the windows after so they don't foul the roof, or break if you slam the door (I had fears of that when I did my drivers door).
Good luck

[Mark.]

Spare pair of hands or local bodyshop is the best bet, but don't go looking for the shut lines you had on the beemer mate. Remember it's hand built in a shed from hand made moulds etc. so the chances of anything fitting millimetre perfect without a whole load reconstruction is very slim.
I spend time looking at mine and wondering the same thing. Then hop in it and spend the time/money saved no a drive

[zed4]

Yes Mark, I know what you're saying and I feel the same way. But my bonnet is rubbing on the wing and also the wiper motor, so that's not good. Also the passenger's side window sometimes hits the roof which means the door won't close. Not sure if it's the window adjustment or door adjustment required just yet.

[zed4]

jamienshelly said:

Hi Dan, I would say do it yourself with a friend or brother, To align the doors is fairly easy and can be done in about 1/2 hour, the bonnet is not that hard either, you just need more than 1 pair of hands. Plus if you do it yourself you can adjust the windows after so they don't foul the roof, or break if you slam the door (I had fears of that when I did my drivers door).
Good luck

Cheers.

I'm just so frustrated at wasting what very little spare time I have messing around with cars. I've had one day off in the last 2 weeks and I spent it messing around with my sisters car.

I just want to use mine when I eventually get a day off, not mess around all day trying to sort out niggles!

[T66ORA]

Best go back to BMW then?

[jamienshelly]

I completely understand Dan, with your bonnet is it the shut lines or the height that needs adjusting?. If its the height then the plastic rest/buffer type things halfway down need to slackened off and rotated to raise the bonnet and or the stops at windscreen end need raising. I fitted 2 rubber blocks to prevent the bonnet from rubbing on the mesh panel, very quick and easy.
Any reputable body shop that have seen a chim before should be able to re-hang and adjust the door and glass for you though

[Mark.]

jamienshelly said:

I completely understand Dan, with your bonnet is it the shut lines or the height that needs adjusting?. If its the height then the plastic rest/buffer type things halfway down need to slackened off and rotated to raise the bonnet and or the stops at windscreen end need raising. I fitted 2 rubber blocks to prevent the bonnet from rubbing on the mesh panel, very quick and easy.
Any reputable body shop that have seen a chim before should be able to re-hang and adjust the door and glass for you though

This for the bonnet - under the opposite edge to where the catch is I put a strip of door rubber which stops it flapping about so much and also prevent sit rubbing the mesh.

The door shutting could be the glass is too high which is adjustable with a screwdriver from the outside - have you tried that?

[zed4]

T66ORA said:

Best go back to BMW then?

Sometimes I do wonder! Although it would be to the darkside *whispers* Porsche!

Don't really think I could give up the TVR though. My plan is to get my girlfriend to buy something fun for us to use everyday, to keep the TVR experience really special. Currently trying to get her an SLK 350 with the AMG kit.

[zed4]

Mark. said:

jamienshelly said:

I completely understand Dan, with your bonnet is it the shut lines or the height that needs adjusting?. If its the height then the plastic rest/buffer type things halfway down need to slackened off and rotated to raise the bonnet and or the stops at windscreen end need raising. I fitted 2 rubber blocks to prevent the bonnet from rubbing on the mesh panel, very quick and easy.
Any reputable body shop that have seen a chim before should be able to re-hang and adjust the door and glass for you though

This for the bonnet - under the opposite edge to where the catch is I put a strip of door rubber which stops it flapping about so much and also prevent sit rubbing the mesh.

The door shutting could be the glass is too high which is adjustable with a screwdriver from the outside - have you tried that?

This is the main problem (I took this pic when I first bought it)



You can see the offside gap, at the front/bottom by the hinge is way too small and it's rubbing on the wing in this area. Also at the rear edge, on the nearside, it's rubbing on the wiper motor.

[Mark.]

To be honest Danny, looks about the same as mine mate.