Hanging Doors

[thunderdork]

Hoping someone can help...

I've removed my doors for a respray, and I've come across one difficulty when put them back on...

The top of a driver door window frame (saloon) sits proud by about 10mm. This is preventing the new rubber seals from sealing, as there is a gap along the top near the roof line. The mid and lower part of the door all line up perfectly. All gaps around the door circumference are good too. I've tried to adjust the hinges so that the lower hinge is outer-most, however it does not seem to pull the top in.

Any idea's?
Cheers,
Taz.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

If the door is the origonal one it should fit no problem it's just a case of top ot bottom hinge in or out with or without shims 10mm at the seems a lot if the door is the origonal one and it is flush (lines up) with the origonal front wing does it line up before the door top at the base of the window frame

[Phil Nottingham]

If its not the original door the top frame will have to adjusted/shimmed - this will allow it to fit properly in all planes.

The hinge door shims are also an important part in this as is the door catch adjutment

[johnwp5bcoupe]

He is talking about a Saloon Phil that's why I was asking if the line was correct at the start of the frame crease against the wing line ( assuming the wing is origonal and not been moved ) if it is the frame will need a bit of help if the door came off the car it should be correct

[Phil Nottingham]

Actually I had not notice its was the the saloon - the hinges must be well out for a 10mm discrepancy have the A posts been altered?

[thunderdork]

Thanks Folks

They are the original doors. The front wings are not on the vehicle (still to be painted) so the only reference I have is the front bulkhead and the gap along the bottom of the door - both look good.
I tried swapping the hinges from left to right and that created a large fore-aft error. So I reverted back. I guess I will wait until the wings are on, although the lower hinge wont go out any further without enlarging the slots for the hinge bolts - something I'd like to avoid.
I'm begining to suspect that the door window frame has been bent - since the door rubbers had gone rock hard before I purchased the car and slamming the door shut over a period of time may have caused them to bend.

Cheers,
Taz

[Deleted]

Have you considered that it might be the new seals which are too large?

[johnwp5bcoupe]

I would fit bonnet first get the scuttle gap the same both sides then fit the wings get that gapping right then think about the doors if the fit is good up to the start of the door tops it is no problem to shall we say bend the top into shape but be sure that all else is correct before you make your move you can always put it back The skilled man at the end of the line at Rover was the one that was good with a hammer and bits of wood

[thunderdork]

Thanks John,

Thats some very helpful advice - I can see that you can waste a lot of time if you dont get the re-assembly order correct. Those doors are d**n heavy! The less handling the better. And the way I'm feeling right now - I might actually enjoy taking a hammer to the old girl! ...well, maybe not

The doors are going on so the trimmer can install the new door cards and surrounding trim. Once there on and the rest of the $6000au interior restoration complete (ouch!) I will try again.

Thanks again folks!

Oh and re- new door rubbers possibly causing the problem... not likely since they bearly touch!

[redsunbeam]

Have the exact same problem on my saloon, gaps are the same on both sides of the car although shut lines all around the rest of the doors are good. I am begining to suspect the A pillars.

[Phil Nottingham]

The A pillars are often incorrectly positioned of not checked proper;y after sill replacement.

The front wings are also very poor fit as tooling was worn out by the end of production and it was always said that production line rejects became the spares stock with any car body builder!