Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Car door sticks out on bottom #2677491
07/15/19 07:20 AM
07/15/19 07:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,587
Detroit area
6PAX Offline OP
master
6PAX  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,587
Detroit area
On two of my old Mopars the driver door, while being perfectly aligned with the quarter panel at the top, sticks out away from the quarter panel on the bottom. It starts sticking out roughly half way down the door. The front of the door is completely aligned with the rear of the fender top to bottom. The doors and quarter panels are all original. I've had a couple of other Mopars over the years that have had this as well but I never did anything about it because they only stuck out a touch. The cars I have now the doors stick out to the point where if it weren't for the top of the door being in line you would think the door wasn't fully closed. Does anyone know what causes this and is there an easy way to align the bottom of the door to the quarter without throwing the top of the door out of line?

Re: Car door sticks out on bottom [Re: 6PAX] #2677520
07/15/19 09:15 AM
07/15/19 09:15 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,331
Oregon
E
earlymopar Offline
pro stock
earlymopar  Offline
pro stock
E

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,331
Oregon
I just went through this on my 65 Dodge pickup. There are likely a couple of potential causes. There are 2 main adjustments on the door hinges; fore and aft (usually adjusted inside the door where the doors mount to the hinges) and, on where the hinges mount to the body (these set the "in and out" adjustment for the door). Sometimes body mount fatigue can cause the problem you mention but the hinge position can also slightly move over time as well just through vibration. The hinges are easily adjusted. Just be sure to take the weight off of the door (I used a floor jack and a block of wood) and then loosen, adjust, tighten again and test until you get what you want or need.

- EM

Re: Car door sticks out on bottom [Re: earlymopar] #2677555
07/15/19 10:24 AM
07/15/19 10:24 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,237
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,237
north of coder
i was always taught to align the door with the 1/4 and rocker, then, align the front fender with the door. shruggy
beer

Re: Car door sticks out on bottom [Re: moparx] #2677558
07/15/19 10:36 AM
07/15/19 10:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,642
So Near, Yet So Far
topside Offline
Too Many Posts
topside  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,642
So Near, Yet So Far
Where the lower hinge bolts to the door, you want to move the door in.
Easier to do with fender off, but doable with it on.
Then move the lower fender in to match.
Might also need to rotate the striker slightly clockwise afterwards.

Re: Car door sticks out on bottom [Re: 6PAX] #2677632
07/15/19 01:08 PM
07/15/19 01:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,618
Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel Offline
Too Many Posts
John_Kunkel  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,618
Rio Linda, CA
Open the door, stick a wood 2 X 4 (wrap it in a rag) between the door and the quarter panel at the top and push in on the bottom of the door with your leg. You'll be surprised how much you can warp the door with body power alone.


The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
Re: Car door sticks out on bottom [Re: John_Kunkel] #2677698
07/15/19 04:03 PM
07/15/19 04:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
M
Mr T2U Offline
master
Mr T2U  Offline
master
M

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
collision tech for over 30 years. is this problem just happen or are you replacing or repairing doors?
the first place to start when aligning a door is the front lower rocker panel and the top by the windshield and cowl area. these areas are not adjustable.
you can always move the fender to fit later. or possibly adjust the 1/4 panel and weld later. but everything starts at the cowl.
another thing to remember is these cars are OLD. panel fit and tolerances were significantly different compared to today's cars so the gaps will never be perfect without twisting, bending, and even welding to make things fit. it's a compromise so keep that in mind.
also what condition are the hinges in? you will be spinning your wheels if the hinges are not in good shape before adjusting metal.


perception is 90% of reality
Re: Car door sticks out on bottom [Re: moparx] #2677726
07/15/19 06:00 PM
07/15/19 06:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,115
A Red State
SNK-EYZ Offline
I Live Here
SNK-EYZ  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,115
A Red State
Originally Posted by moparx
i was always taught to align the door with the 1/4 and rocker, then, align the front fender with the door. shruggy
beer


That's how it's done in the assembly plants, the main shell is built, the doors are installed and aligned with the qtrs them the front clip is installed..


Kayse can't keep up at all now. lol






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1