Door Panel Fitment Problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 437
Likes: 104
From: Birmingham AL
AL Events Coordinator
Door Panel Fitment Problem
I have started to notice that my inner door panel is pulling away from the door ever so slightly on my ’66 coupe. I noticed it when the vent window molding was no longer wide enough to cover the gap between the vent and the outer door. I have a gap of about 3/8” between the vent window and the outer door panel on the driver’s side and no gap on the passenger’s side. I took the door panel off thinking something was loose and I could tighten it up and pull up the gap. Not so lucky, everything seems tight. Anyone have any clue how to tighten this area up. By the way, both pictures were made from the top of the vent window looking down at the door
This is the passenger's side where the vent window post meets the door panel. Notice no gap where the post meets the door panel
This is the driver's side where the vent window post meets the door panel. Notice the 3/8" gap where the post meets the door panel and the vent window molding has fallen into this gap
This is the passenger's side where the vent window post meets the door panel. Notice no gap where the post meets the door panel
This is the driver's side where the vent window post meets the door panel. Notice the 3/8" gap where the post meets the door panel and the vent window molding has fallen into this gap
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
Here is what secures your vent assembly to the door. You might check the mounting stud at the far left in the pic. It could have broken,come unscrewed and simply needs adjustment. It is the only adjustable mount of the whole assembly. Good luck.
Jim
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 437
Likes: 104
From: Birmingham AL
AL Events Coordinator
The vent window is pulling away because the inner panel is pulling away and the vent window mounts (mostly) to the inner panel. All the attachment points in your picture are tight. This is a fairly recent phenomenon that I just can’t figure out. I’ve got the door panel off and I hate to put it back on without fixing the problem. The panel seems to be bonded to the door with now way of adjusting it
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
There are a number of aluminum rivets that are in the front area of the door primarily to hold the hinge structure but, if some are loose or missing maybe that could be allowing the inner portion of your door to in effect move apart from the outer side. These are pretty soft rivets. I know I was able to tighten up several and replace a couple of others when I did my resto a while back. Certainly worth checking while the door panel if off. 
Pilot Dan
Pilot Dan
