63 door adjustment
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4
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63 door adjustment
I have a 63 roadster and my drivers door seems to be out of alignment. In reading the manual it appears that there is a door adjustment feature that is located under the door panel. Is this correct?
In judging what I have to do, it appears that I need to raise the back edge of the door upward. Any suggestions?
In judging what I have to do, it appears that I need to raise the back edge of the door upward. Any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Check a couple of other items also, be sure the metal plate inside the door that the bolts screw into isn't loose causing your door to sag. You should be able to tell by moving the door up and down with a small amount of pressure before you loosen the bolts or remove the door panel. You should be able to discern any "play" or movement that shouldn't be there.
Also, depending upon how much you need to move the door up at the rear, the vent window frame may also need to be readjusted, it can te adjusted seperately from the door assembly.
Also, depending upon how much you need to move the door up at the rear, the vent window frame may also need to be readjusted, it can te adjusted seperately from the door assembly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
I'd recommend some help in adjusting the door if you can get it. Once the bolts at the front are loosened, there's nothing to hold the door in position and it can wind up worse than when you started. You'll have to close the door to do the adjustment, at which point you'll only be able to reach the rear bolts in the hinges to tighten them. That's OK, they'll hold it in position until you can snug them enough to open the door and tighten the rest.
But, it'll help a lot if someone is outside to hold the door up in position until you get the rear bolts tightened. Even then, I'd count on having to do the procedure at least 2-3 times until you get it fitting properly. I've always done mine by myself out of necessity, but it's a real pain, a little help would be highly desirable, I believe.
Best of luck to you,
But, it'll help a lot if someone is outside to hold the door up in position until you get the rear bolts tightened. Even then, I'd count on having to do the procedure at least 2-3 times until you get it fitting properly. I've always done mine by myself out of necessity, but it's a real pain, a little help would be highly desirable, I believe.
Best of luck to you,
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Originally Posted by Norm
I have a 63 roadster and my drivers door seems to be out of alignment. In reading the manual it appears that there is a door adjustment feature that is located under the door panel. Is this correct?
In judging what I have to do, it appears that I need to raise the back edge of the door upward. Any suggestions?
In judging what I have to do, it appears that I need to raise the back edge of the door upward. Any suggestions?
A couple of thoughts:
Make sure you want to raise the rear of the door at the hinge. It may be being held down by a mis-adjusted striker that is causing the door to drop when you close it.
If you raise the rear of the door on the hinge, it will close the margin at the top of the door/ front fender.
If your fender/door margin is good at the front, your hinges are tight with no up down play and you have a low door at the quarter with an "A" margin, you might want to consider changing your shim packs on the body frame in that area.
Always remove the door striker when adjusting the door hinges then re-install the striker last and fit it TO THE DOOR POSITION.
If you loosen both door hinges, your door will probably drop and you will have a difficult time raising it back up by yourself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Originally Posted by MikeM
A couple of thoughts:
Make sure you want to raise the rear of the door at the hinge. It may be being held down by a mis-adjusted striker that is causing the door to drop when you close it.
If you raise the rear of the door on the hinge, it will close the margin at the top of the door/ front fender.
If your fender/door margin is good at the front, your hinges are tight with no up down play and you have a low door at the quarter with an "A" margin, you might want to consider changing your shim packs on the body frame in that area.
Always remove the door striker when adjusting the door hinges then re-install the striker last and fit it TO THE DOOR POSITION.
If you loosen both door hinges, your door will probably drop and you will have a difficult time raising it back up by yourself.
Make sure you want to raise the rear of the door at the hinge. It may be being held down by a mis-adjusted striker that is causing the door to drop when you close it.
If you raise the rear of the door on the hinge, it will close the margin at the top of the door/ front fender.
If your fender/door margin is good at the front, your hinges are tight with no up down play and you have a low door at the quarter with an "A" margin, you might want to consider changing your shim packs on the body frame in that area.
Always remove the door striker when adjusting the door hinges then re-install the striker last and fit it TO THE DOOR POSITION.
If you loosen both door hinges, your door will probably drop and you will have a difficult time raising it back up by yourself.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
All the striker is for is to hold the door shut and to set the in-out relationship to the quarter panel; it should NOT set the up-down fit of the door in the opening. Fit the door up-down in the opening without the striker in place, then install the striker and adjust it for smooth entry of the latch and correct in-out position for a flush fit to the quarter panel. 
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