Rear cmpartment doors
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 382
Likes: 8
From: Wellington
Rear cmpartment doors
I purchased some rear compartment door frames from Willcox a few months ago. I just went to install them, I removed the old broken frames from my doors but the new frames dont fit!!! They are just a tiny bit too small. My doors are orig 76 frbreglass doors, so what has gone wrong? I dont know what to do now, advice please!!! 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I assume the prior frames were not in good shape...maybe broken (since you are replacing them). Could it be that the [pressed-board] doors have swelled some, since the frames couldn't retain them properly? If so, you can use a palm sander to smooth down the edges of the doors to get them straight/smooth and the correct size when you get them stripped. Also, when you try to assemble the frames to the door (if you are installing new carpet, too), you may want to put a piece of wood across the top of the door and use some squeeze-clamps to compress the frame and carpet together so that you don't overstress the frame and break it. When clamped down, you can put the retaining screws in place...then release the clamps. You may need to shave a bit of carpet pile off under the frame, if particularly difficult.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I assume the prior frames were not in good shape...maybe broken (since you are replacing them). Could it be that the [pressed-board] doors have swelled some, since the frames couldn't retain them properly? If so, you can use a palm sander to smooth down the edges of the doors to get them straight/smooth and the correct size when you get them stripped. Also, when you try to assemble the frames to the door (if you are installing new carpet, too), you may want to put a piece of wood across the top of the door and use some squeeze-clamps to compress the frame and carpet together so that you don't overstress the frame and break it. When clamped down, you can put the retaining screws in place...then release the clamps. You may need to shave a bit of carpet pile off under the frame, if particularly difficult.
The wood will sometimes swell and trimming the board down can usually take care of this.Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I think c3 is asking about his "fiberglass" doors.
Did doors change from fiberboard/chip board to plastic/fiberglass at some time? Or are the plastic doors a service replacement or aftermarket part?
Regards,
Alan
I think c3 is asking about his "fiberglass" doors.
Did doors change from fiberboard/chip board to plastic/fiberglass at some time? Or are the plastic doors a service replacement or aftermarket part?
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 382
Likes: 8
From: Wellington
Yes Alan is correct, these are a moulded fibreglass door not fibreboard. There is too much to sand down, they are a good couple of millimeters too big.
Last edited by C3smallblock; Aug 22, 2010 at 04:26 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hamilton NJ
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 382
Likes: 8
From: Wellington
Well, I have completed the compartment doors. Rather than mangle the fibreglass ones I decided to put my woodworking skills to the test and I have made some new ones. And I am please to say that they look pretty sweet too 
One question though. Where do you buy the rivets to hold the hinges to the master frame, and how do you apply them? I have tried all manor of bits and bobs that I have in my garage like nuts anbd bolts, pop rivets, split rivets and nothing worked. I am out of ideas.
One question though. Where do you buy the rivets to hold the hinges to the master frame, and how do you apply them? I have tried all manor of bits and bobs that I have in my garage like nuts anbd bolts, pop rivets, split rivets and nothing worked. I am out of ideas.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I had to trim the carpet edges on the doors to get my frames to fit. Tight, but it worked.
Early doors were fiberboard; later doors were fiberglass/plastic.
Early doors were fiberboard; later doors were fiberglass/plastic.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Aug 23, 2010 at 12:03 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Porter TX
if you have the carpet on already, use a set of hairclippers (or beard trimmers) to chamfer the carpet on the edge (remove it at about a 45* angle). this removes the extra carpet nap that gets bunched up under the frame causing a misfitment. I did it and the frame went on snug after that. The screw kit I got had little screws that went into the frame to hold it to the fiberglass panel to hold it tight and keep it from popping off.
The rivets in my opinion are a joke and didn't hold anything tight. I ended up running the screws that held the hinge to the frame all the way to body and they arent going anywhere and also keep the frame from flexing which causes them to break in the first place.
The rivets in my opinion are a joke and didn't hold anything tight. I ended up running the screws that held the hinge to the frame all the way to body and they arent going anywhere and also keep the frame from flexing which causes them to break in the first place.
