Re: sagging e body convertible ???
[Re: Jupiter331]
#1699146
11/15/14 12:36 AM
11/15/14 12:36 AM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
HemiRick
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
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Then the Doors need to be readjusted at the hinges. The doors do NOT cause the body to move when opened closed. If the jack test you talked about in the 1st post is true, this implies the car moving when the door is opened closed and this is just not possible on a solid, non rust bucket car.
Take care,
Rick
68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
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Re: sagging e body convertible ???
[Re: dilvoy]
#1699148
11/15/14 11:56 AM
11/15/14 11:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
ahy
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
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Quote:
Sounds like you have to adjust your doors at the hinges or repair/replace the hinges, because of wear at the pins then adjust.
Agree... the striker is positioned to line up the door with the body so it looks right closed but the hinges are sagging. They are adjustable and rebuildable. I like to open the door part way and use a floor jack with wood block and rags for padding under the door edge to support the door. Loosen the hinge bolts and adjust. If there is any slop in the hinges, rebuilding first will give a better result. The "help" section in the AP store likely has the hinge pins and Y1 sells a kit with bushings. Pretty easy to do.
Frame connectors are a really good idea on all these cars, especially convertibles... but should not be required to get the doors to close correctly.
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Re: sagging e body convertible ???
[Re: Jupiter331]
#1699149
11/15/14 12:11 PM
11/15/14 12:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,157
Mass
DAYCLONA
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,157
Mass
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Quote:
I have a 70 e body convertible. Its fully restored. The body was completely rush free to start with. I believe the car sat without the doors for a period of time. Problem is the doors are lined up perfectly when closed but when you open them they drop down,making it difficult to close. The hinges feel fine. I've found that if you put a floor under the car near the doors and raise it up a little the doors close and line up perfectly, leading me to believe the body might be sagging a bit in the middle. If this is the case I was thinking of installing frame connectors to correct the problem. Any ideas or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Unless you know for a fact that the hinges have been rebuilt and are working properly, I'd start by having them rebuilt, often times "restorers" will just adjust the hinges/strikers to compensate for their frugalness/ignorance in having the hinges rebuilt, the worn hinges will continue to deteriorate.
"rust free/low mileage/driven only to church on Sundays/ little O'lady owned/etc/etc"" or not, E body verts flex horribly, a nice addition would be welded in full frame connectors BEFORE you attempt any door/hinge repairs/adjustments... 
mike
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Re: sagging e body convertible ???
[Re: DAYCLONA]
#1699150
11/15/14 12:31 PM
11/15/14 12:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068
Irving, TX
feets
Senior Management
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Senior Management
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068
Irving, TX
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If the car sags noticeably with the doors open then the subframe connectors will need to be welded in with the car on a frame rack.
You can do it without ensuring the chassis is perfectly level but that guarantees that you have a permanently sagged car.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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Re: sagging e body convertible ???
[Re: Jupiter331]
#1699151
11/15/14 12:35 PM
11/15/14 12:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
The hinges are tight. If you adjust the striker down the doors close fine however the body lines no longer line up
If there's that much slop in the hinges,door alinement, then the hinges are worn and need rebuilding. Once that is done you need to re-aline the doors. The door post is probably worn from the sagging door and will be need to be replaced also, it sounds. Hope the door lock is not damaged.
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Re: sagging e body convertible ???
[Re: ahy]
#1699155
11/16/14 01:19 AM
11/16/14 01:19 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,831
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,831
Kirkland, Washington
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Quote:
Yes on a non-convertible... I would think "really yes" on a convertible.
 to me they are a must on a hardtop ebody. On a vert they are critical. Ever seen cracks in the upper quarters of e-verts? Definately something you want to prevent.
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