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Old May 8, 2013 | 06:47 AM
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Default body panel alignment

while climbing under the car for the shift I noticed the gap on the the rocker trim was more then just adjusting the attachment points.


whats the deal here, both doors measure the same hight.
the passenger side is all square and lighed up. for a short term fix I am thinking of notching the rocker trim and replacing them when I send the car out for a comsmedic reto.
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Old May 8, 2013 | 06:49 AM
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also the top of the door a 1/4 ligh up with the exception of 1/8 to 3/16 due to hinges worn



trim seems like it shouls fit if the rear was moved up about an inch or so

Last edited by 4 speed; May 8, 2013 at 06:52 AM.
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Old May 8, 2013 | 07:53 AM
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Is it that way with the car on the ground? The frame flexes a fair amount on these cars. The gaps in my car change when on jack stands.
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Old May 8, 2013 | 07:59 AM
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I cannot tell from your pics what is going on, but I can see the driver's door appears to need alignment. You mention you know about the hinges.

My advice is not to cut or notch anything. Replace the hinges/hinge pins/bushings as needed on the driver's door and align it.

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Old May 8, 2013 | 08:04 AM
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Hi 4,
It's pretty difficult to see because of the size of the pictures.
In the first picture it LOOKS like the corner of the door is broken off.
A triangular shaped piece about 1 1/2" x 1/2".
Might that be part of the problem.
Regards,
Alan
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Old May 8, 2013 | 08:07 AM
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if you go to the photo bucket , you can see that the rear 1/4 is a go inch below the door, with the rocker trim tight to the 1/4 panel the inch gap to the rear of the door tapers to nothing at the tip at the front wheel opening

http://s350.photobucket.com/user/dir...tml?sort=3&o=7
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Old May 8, 2013 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi 4,
It's pretty difficult to see because of the size of the pictures.
In the first picture it LOOKS like the corner of the door is broken off.
A triangular shaped piece about 1 1/2" x 1/2".
Might that be part of the problem.
Regards,
Alan
that what was my first thought, but after measuring the both doors they are the same 27 1/8 inches
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Old May 8, 2013 | 08:35 AM
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Hi 4,
The dimension seems good, but the door bottom edge isn't what I'd expect to see.
Modifying the rocker trim isn't such a good idea in my mind.
Regards,
Alan



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Old May 8, 2013 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi 4,
The dimension seems good, but the door bottom edge isn't what I'd expect to see.
Modifying the rocker trim isn't such a good idea in my mind.
Regards,
Alan


The problem is not with the rocker trim, it is with the door... It would help if we could see side pictures of the door to include the gaps at the front of the door... Have you measured the door jambs to ensure they are equal... Manufacturing specs on these cars was not what it is today... Not uncommon for poor fitting panels/parts coming right off the line... I replaced one of my doors due to rust from a '75 convertible (mine is a '73 vert) and the '75 door fits my car better than the original '73 door... Go figure.. I also agree with Alan that the bottom corner of the door looks funny...

Rogman
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Old May 8, 2013 | 10:15 AM
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I'll get some better pics after I get the seats back in and can pull it out, the garage is too tight to get a straight shot on the door
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Old May 8, 2013 | 10:50 PM
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Based on what I can tell by the picture, your jackstands are in the front of the suspension. My car's doors always change alignment when I put it on jackstands. Let it back down on the tires and see how it looks. You might need to adjust the doors.

The other thing is a common problem is over time the rubber frame mounts compress and it affects the alignment. Most guys suggest replacing the body mounts before making any panel adjustments.

Good luck.
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Old May 8, 2013 | 10:53 PM
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thanks! will do!
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Old May 9, 2013 | 07:47 AM
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Hi,
What probably happened was that someone swung the door open and hit a high curb and broke the corner off the door.
Regards,
Alan
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