E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Body Shop => Topic started by: Rev-It-Up on June 12, 2017, 12:39:11 PM

Title: Door Alignment
Post by: Rev-It-Up on June 12, 2017, 12:39:11 PM
We are in the process of hanging Pixie's doors and have run into a bit of trouble.  We can't seem to get the passenger door lined up. It's pretty close on top and bottom but cannot get it moved in closer to the body. In the pictures below, the door is closed and latched. We have moved the striker in as much as it will go. What are your methods for hanging doors? Any advice will be appreciated!
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: anlauto on June 12, 2017, 01:08:41 PM
Looks like the lower door hinge needs to be moved  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Shane Kelley on June 12, 2017, 01:11:26 PM
It hard to tell everything from pictures. I would almost like to see a fender sitting on there and see what it's fitting like before I make any hasty changes. You can get the door better by opening it up partially and holding it against your leg and then give the door a good pull at the top. That will twist the door. Don't go crazy. Try it easy and work your way up.  That will get the bottom in. But I can't imagine why the whole thing won't go in with a striker adjustment. Has the striker area been repaired? Can I a pic with the striker removed? I would like to see the front of the door real good where the hinges are mounted.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: JS29 on June 12, 2017, 01:32:52 PM
I would try loosening the bottom hing at the door,then all but one bolt on the top hing. you should be able to pivot the bottom of the door in. then if the top is still out, tighten one bottom bolt loosen the top and swing the top in. it may take A few times back and forth. give that A try.    :alan2cents:    Mark. 
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Rev-It-Up on June 12, 2017, 01:39:22 PM
Thanks Shane! Here's a pic of the hinges and the striker hole. I'll get a picture with fender on when Pixie and Xe get home tonight.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Rev-It-Up on June 12, 2017, 01:40:30 PM
Quote from: JS29 on June 12, 2017, 01:32:52 PM
I would try loosening the bottom hing at the door,then all but one bolt on the top hing. you should be able to pivot the bottom of the door in. then if the top is still out, tighten one bottom bolt loosen the top and swing the top in. it may take A few times back and forth. give that A try.    :alan2cents:    Mark.

Thanks Mark! We'll give it a shot tonight.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Shane Kelley on June 12, 2017, 01:49:21 PM
Quote from: anlauto on June 12, 2017, 01:08:41 PM
Looks like the lower door hinge needs to be moved  :alan2cents:
Doesn't look like that lower hinge can go in any further.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Shane Kelley on June 12, 2017, 01:54:39 PM
With the bolts loose on the hinges going into the door. Loosen them up and pull the door all the way out at the front top and bottom. One at a time. Then carefully see if it closes better at the rear with no striker.  I'm wondering if it's to far in and causing the door to bind on the hinge pillar. Couple of questions also. Hinges new or rebuilt? Is this the door and quarter that was on the car before the it was taken apart?
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Rev-It-Up on June 12, 2017, 02:11:25 PM
Quote from: Shane Kelley on June 12, 2017, 01:54:39 PM
With the bolts loose on the hinges going into the door. Loosen them up and pull the door all the way out at the front top and bottom. One at a time. Then carefully see if it closes better at the rear with no striker.  I'm wondering if it's to far in and causing the door to bind on the hinge pillar. Couple of questions also. Hinges new or rebuilt? Is this the door and quarter that was on the car before the it was taken apart?

We will try that tonight Shane. The hinges are original. They look like they could have been rebuilt at some point, but not by us. They were on the car when we took it apart and I don't recall the doors having any issue. They show no sign of slop. The doors are also original. I know all this leads to "operator error",  :rofl: just trying to figure out what our error is.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Shane Kelley on June 12, 2017, 02:21:12 PM
I just noticed the door is out at the bottom on the hinge. I was seeing the rocker edge in the pic and it looked like the hinge was almost touching the door. I was seeing it wrong. Looks like there might be lots of adjustment left. Loosen the lower hinge on door and see if it will go in and line up with quarter panel. Leave the striker out until you get things fitting better.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Chryco Psycho on June 12, 2017, 06:35:14 PM
The strike pin at the rear will move also
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Cuda Cody on June 12, 2017, 06:40:41 PM
If the lower front hinge is all the way out, top hinge moved out should also move the opposite corner of the door in.    :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Cuda Cody on June 12, 2017, 06:41:57 PM
Maybe put a little tape anywhere you think you might hit while making these adjustments so you don't chip the paint. 
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Rev-It-Up on June 12, 2017, 06:52:44 PM
We got it! A few adjustments as suggested above then a good slam! Lines up perfect! Now we have to redo the other side cause this one looks so good.  :haha:

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the help!
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Shane Kelley on June 13, 2017, 03:26:26 AM
Quote from: Rev-It-Up on June 12, 2017, 06:52:44 PM
We got it! A few adjustments as suggested above then a good slam! Lines up perfect! Now we have to redo the other side cause this one looks so good.  :haha:

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the help!
Whew!  I'm sure that's a relief. It always sucks when something is hanging you up and you can't move forward. These things always happen when you have  a deadline.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: JS29 on June 13, 2017, 07:08:49 AM
Fun isn't it!!! when you change one adjustment it affects another. :headbang: For every action there is A reaction. glad you got it. :twothumbsup:   Mark.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: RUNCHARGER on June 13, 2017, 05:24:29 PM
Yes: And when it isn't right it drives you crazy.
Title: Re: Door Alignment
Post by: Rev-It-Up on June 13, 2017, 06:20:46 PM
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on June 13, 2017, 05:24:29 PM
Yes: And when it isn't right it drives you crazy.

Yes it does!  Of course, I'm the one that will always have to straighten a picture that is hanging crooked too.   :looney: