Door too low?

[BrianT]

The passenger door on my 97 Chim has rubbed off paint (and some GRP) from the top edge of the sill below the front edge of the door (i.e hinge end). I thought this was because the door had dropped but the outside looks as if it lines up with the car ok.

Is it possible/easy to lift the door slightly? anyone done it? is is worth it? The reason I ask is that I am considering putting sill kick plates (the nice shiny ones) on but obviously they will interfere even more if I don't do something

[Cavey]

Brian

It is possible to adjust the doors, so I gather, and it's a common request because the bodyshells do flex a bit and the doors often end up out of line. Seems to happen more on the passenger side for some reason - mine's a bit out but not yet fouling anywhere.

However, the Bible says it's not an easy job for the DIYer. Aprently there are some bolts forward of the A pillar, but there's an art to it, and it's easy to end up worse rather than better off! I can guess which would happen if i tried it...

I'm hoping to get mine adjusted when it goes in for service after Christmas - suggest using an experienced TVR garage for this sort of thing.

[GreenV8S]

Put some masking tape over the worn area and see if the door scrapes it. If so, the door needs to be lifted.

[Parrot of doom]

Whenever I've asked about this, everyone has sucked air through their teeth.

Not recommended for DIY!

[Ribol]

Had that problem on my driver's door, undid the top hinge lifted door and bolted it up again, job done. Maybe I was lucky but it certainly wasn't hard to do.
I did notice however that there was slightly less access on the passenger side top hinge but as mine was ok I did not have to touch it.

[The Surveyor]

I have the same problem on mine and was given the 'can of worms' answer from the dealer. It sounds like a job that can take an experienced guy a few minutes, or best part of a day depending on how it goes, then once the door is fitting correctly, their's the window frame to adjust against the windscreen surround and the glass against the hood......

I'm going to leave well alone for now!

[Ribol]

The Surveyor said:

then once the door is fitting correctly, their's the window frame to adjust against the windscreen surround and the glass against the hood.....

Depends how much the door has dropped. If the glass/frame was in the right place before the door dropped, lifting the door again puts the glass/frame back where it should be at the same time.

[BrianT]

OK Cheers guys, looks like a "procede with caution" or "leave it until service due" I have been warned. Thanks, Brian

[chevtrev]

Brian,the door adjustment is'nt too bad
Undo the nuts just enough to move the door,yet still stay hanging firm.
Place packers on the sill.
Find the right height.
Do up.

[phlap]

I had the passenger door drop on my last chim. Whilst visting my local main dealer for a part I asked for a quote and was not entirely surprised when it was £500 & VAT .
This apparently involved changing the hingebox and all sorts of messing about.
My trusty specialist however managed to rehang the door without replacing anything by careful adjustment and a couple of shims on the lock. He advised you need 3 arms and the patience of a saint but it never moved again. Cost nothing like £500 quid either!

[GreenV8S]

Ribol said:

The Surveyor said: then once the door is fitting correctly, their's the window frame to adjust against the windscreen surround and the glass against the hood..... Depends how much the door has dropped. If the glass/frame was in the right place before the door dropped, lifting the door again puts the glass/frame back where it should be at the same time.

Problem comes when you have to remove the front window runner to get at the hinge, so you can't just leave it where it was and hope it comes out right.

[BrianT]

Sounds like the nuts are in the door then, I was assuming they would be in the body side. This is probably why I can't see a way of adjusting it! I haven't had the door trim off yet.

[Ribol]

GreenV8S said:

Ribol said: The Surveyor said: then once the door is fitting correctly, their's the window frame to adjust against the windscreen surround and the glass against the hood..... Depends how much the door has dropped. If the glass/frame was in the right place before the door dropped, lifting the door again puts the glass/frame back where it should be at the same time. Problem comes when you have to remove the front window runner to get at the hinge, so you can't just leave it where it was and hope it comes out right.

Not if you are adjusting the hinge where it bolts to the body. This is not theory by the way, I have already done it.