75 Convertible Door Sagging fix

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May 27, 2009 | 02:43 PM

maustin26

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Jan 2009

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75 Convertible Door Sagging fix

It is inevitible; C3 convertible doors are going to sag. Question is, if one was to get the kit offered by one of the mail order parts houses, how difficult is this job? Let's just assume a basic skill level here.

May 27, 2009 | 06:13 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

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From: Westminster Maryland

Are the doors sagging because of worn out hinges? Or is there some other trouble?
If it's the hinges, it a pretty straight forward fix. I think the biggest thing is to have a way to support the weight of the door while you're changing the bushings and pins.
Then you'll probably need to adjust the hinges to get the door gaps even again. This can take some tme and patience.
Regards,
Alan

May 27, 2009 | 08:49 PM

crazywelder

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,944

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From: Yooperville MI

If the hinge bushings are worn, here's how I do them. Hopefully you have a helper to assist in holding the door while you remove it. Use a floor jack to support the door while you unbolt it and remount it. You can make a wood trough about 24" long wrapped with a towel to place on the jack to protect the bottom of the door. Wrap the front of the door with a towel also. The main concern is protecting the paint on the front and bottem of the door. Remove the inner door trim and spray the 4 upper and 4 lower bolt heads with spray paint to mark there position on the door shell for easy alignment when you reassemble it. Slide the door off the hinges. You can change the lower hinge bushings and pin on the car without removing the hinge, but you'll need to remove the upper hinge. I have a jig that I clamp to the cowl to make reinstalling the upper hinges in the same place easy every time. Replace the upper springs while you are at it.

If your bushings are shot your rear door guide bushings are probably worn out also and might need to replace them as well.

May 28, 2009 | 11:33 AM

maustin26

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

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Thanks Alan, I am emboldened. I have an 8 year old grandson who wants to help but I think I will get a little more horsepower to do the job. BTW, that is sure some meat eating animal behind you in the picture. Thanks again. Mel

May 28, 2009 | 06:23 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi Mel,
That's a picture I took in 1993 of Zora and the real GS 001.
Quite a pair!
Regards,
Alan

May 28, 2009 | 10:01 PM

bluegoosed

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Ky

Since I have been on here I always thought that was you and your car in the picture. Neat! I never had a clue.

Jul 24, 2011 | 10:58 PM

rafalc

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 969

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From: NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan 71

What if the door is sagging but there is no play when picking the rear of the door up? Could this still be the hinges or should you see some play?

Jul 24, 2011 | 11:57 PM

bryanpl123

Racer

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 293

Likes: 1

From: Eaton Ohio

I just found when I removed my door that the top part of the bird cage where the door hinge was bolted to was bent out about 1/4" right around the bolt hole... possibly from someone leaning on an open door... so definatly check your mating surface for deformity.