Drivers door sagging
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Huffman TX
Drivers door sagging
I bought this 1980 Corvette yesterday and the door is sagging really bad because the frame is rusted. Is there any thread that show how to fix this or is there a company that sells a replacement door frame?
I did a search and could not find anything unless I'm wording it wrong.
I did a search and could not find anything unless I'm wording it wrong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
If the door is sagging it could be because the hinges are worn or there may be issues with the birdcage. Badly rusted door hinge pillars or rocker channels may cause a door to sag. I know there are inserts available for either situation though the repair involves a lot of labor.
The birdcage is the framework the cab of the body is built on, windshield frame, rocker channels, hinge pillars, etc.
When you say the frame is rusted, are you referring the chassis? The frame the body rests on or the birdcage, framework the body is built on?
Do you have photos you can post illustrating the problem?
The birdcage is the framework the cab of the body is built on, windshield frame, rocker channels, hinge pillars, etc.
When you say the frame is rusted, are you referring the chassis? The frame the body rests on or the birdcage, framework the body is built on?
Do you have photos you can post illustrating the problem?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Huffman TX
I will post some pictures when I get home but I'm thinking it is going to be the bird cage. The frame where the door hinges bolt to is moving around due to the rust, it looks real weak.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Thats no good. I might have a replacment part off of my parts car I could sell you. Just let me know which peices youll be needing. Im goin to be cutting it up in a few weeks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Huffman TX
Is there a way to fix it without disassembling the whole car? I'm not looking to restore it, I just bought it to use as a daily driver to keep the miles off my truck. I have a complete shop so doing the work is not an issue, I just don't want to get into a huge restro project.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Huffman TX
Looks like it is a combination of door pins needing to be replaced and the Bird cage in bad shape. I can fab something up to strengthen the bird cage but I'm going to order some door pins/hinges so that the door shuts good.
Passenger
Drivers Side
Passenger
Drivers Side
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
Ouch!
Chad, I wouldn't order any pins yet. Essentially, you don't have anything holding your A-pillar (and the body) to the frame. Your hinges are always going to be moving around, flexing and changing the alignment of your doors until your #2 body mounts/rocker channels are rebuilt...Not to mention your #3 body mounts that support the B-pillar and the latch assembly for the door.
Chad, I wouldn't order any pins yet. Essentially, you don't have anything holding your A-pillar (and the body) to the frame. Your hinges are always going to be moving around, flexing and changing the alignment of your doors until your #2 body mounts/rocker channels are rebuilt...Not to mention your #3 body mounts that support the B-pillar and the latch assembly for the door.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
I would take it to were ever you bought it from and get your money back. I dont think most places would allow you to sell a car in that condition except as for parts. That car in that condtion is unsafe to drive and should not be able to be sold as a daily driver least wise thats my opinion. Either way good luck, as thats no easy or cheap repair been there done that.
ikwhite
ikwhite
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
I would take it to were ever you bought it from and get your money back. I dont think most places would allow you to sell a car in that condition except as for parts. That car in that condtion is unsafe to drive and should not be able to be sold as a daily driver least wise thats my opinion.
ikwhite
ikwhite
Good idea. Whoever had that car recently knew about this....as evidenced by the dynamat under the carpet and the expandable foam behind the kick panels covering/hiding the body mounts.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Yeah I wont be able to sell you a replacment birdcage, but I know someone who does. his name is tracdogg2 here on the forum. Im sure he will be willing to part with the peices you need
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Chad,
Return the car to the seller. It needs much too much work to become safe. I doubt that it can be saftied for the road. If it was one of those "as is, where is" deals you might have a problem but give it a try.
Return the car to the seller. It needs much too much work to become safe. I doubt that it can be saftied for the road. If it was one of those "as is, where is" deals you might have a problem but give it a try.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
The problem with that type of rust, in order to repair it all, you pretty much have to separate everything from everything...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Huffman TX
I paid cash from an individual so I doubt I would get anything back. I have a friend that has a Chassis shop and I will just see what he can do with it. If he can built a 25.5 chassis I sure he can handle this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
I'm hanging around on this one. Let's see follow-up pictures! Keep us posted.
