C3 (81) door adjustment/alignment how-to...?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 874
Likes: 115
From: Round Hill Virginia
C3 (81) door adjustment/alignment how-to...?
Hi,
I've done a few searches, both in and out of this forum and have not come up with any intuitive DIY step-by-step instructions for making any adjustment to the C3 doors. About every comment on the matter says to simply replace the pin and/or bushings. This is fine, but mine are not that bad, and is not loose by any stretch. The drivers door sags a bit and catches up by the handle - difficult to open. Though this is still very much a project car and is needing paint (among other things) it's rubbing through in that area. My question:
How do you make adjustments to the door hinges etc to move the door??
Thanks!
I've done a few searches, both in and out of this forum and have not come up with any intuitive DIY step-by-step instructions for making any adjustment to the C3 doors. About every comment on the matter says to simply replace the pin and/or bushings. This is fine, but mine are not that bad, and is not loose by any stretch. The drivers door sags a bit and catches up by the handle - difficult to open. Though this is still very much a project car and is needing paint (among other things) it's rubbing through in that area. My question:
How do you make adjustments to the door hinges etc to move the door??
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
IF you look at the door panels top & bottom adjacent to the hinges, you'll see covers oin them that when removed, expose the bolts holding hinges to door.
These can be loosened( apply light penetrating oil first) and then th door can often be lifted a bit on it's hanging height so it closes properly and doesn't bang or drag on the strike pin of the rear door frame....
To hold the door in position once you have an idea of how much you want/need to lift the door rear end, use blocks of wood to position the door and then tighten up the hinge bolts..
See how ya did, repeat until unconscious as required.
SOMETIMES SHIMS MAY BE NEEDED BUT THEY'D GO ON THE CAR BIRDCAGE FRAME END OF THE HINGE ATTACHMENT AND THAT CONNECTION IS MORE DIFFICULT.Good luck and remember this is s'posed to be challenging fun or everyone would be doing it well..
Jim
These can be loosened( apply light penetrating oil first) and then th door can often be lifted a bit on it's hanging height so it closes properly and doesn't bang or drag on the strike pin of the rear door frame....
To hold the door in position once you have an idea of how much you want/need to lift the door rear end, use blocks of wood to position the door and then tighten up the hinge bolts..
See how ya did, repeat until unconscious as required.
SOMETIMES SHIMS MAY BE NEEDED BUT THEY'D GO ON THE CAR BIRDCAGE FRAME END OF THE HINGE ATTACHMENT AND THAT CONNECTION IS MORE DIFFICULT.Good luck and remember this is s'posed to be challenging fun or everyone would be doing it well..
Jim
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 874
Likes: 115
From: Round Hill Virginia
IF you look at the door panels top & bottom adjacent to the hinges, you'll see covers oin them that when removed, expose the bolts holding hinges to door.
These can be loosened( apply light penetrating oil first) and then th door can often be lifted a bit on it's hanging height so it closes properly and doesn't bang or drag on the strike pin of the rear door frame....
To hold the door in position once you have an idea of how much you want/need to lift the door rear end, use blocks of wood to position the door and then tighten up the hinge bolts..
See how ya did, repeat until unconscious as required.
SOMETIMES SHIMS MAY BE NEEDED BUT THEY'D GO ON THE CAR BIRDCAGE FRAME END OF THE HINGE ATTACHMENT AND THAT CONNECTION IS MORE DIFFICULT.Good luck and remember this is s'posed to be challenging fun or everyone would be doing it well..Jim
These can be loosened( apply light penetrating oil first) and then th door can often be lifted a bit on it's hanging height so it closes properly and doesn't bang or drag on the strike pin of the rear door frame....
To hold the door in position once you have an idea of how much you want/need to lift the door rear end, use blocks of wood to position the door and then tighten up the hinge bolts..
See how ya did, repeat until unconscious as required.
SOMETIMES SHIMS MAY BE NEEDED BUT THEY'D GO ON THE CAR BIRDCAGE FRAME END OF THE HINGE ATTACHMENT AND THAT CONNECTION IS MORE DIFFICULT.Good luck and remember this is s'posed to be challenging fun or everyone would be doing it well..
Jim
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Hi, I just adjusted mine. If the door lock mechanism is too high or too low to meet the door post striker you will need to adjust the hinges. My passenger door is a little low but the striker lifts it up to shut. It would latch halfway but fully close. Sooo The door post is a bolt and it is on a cam. The face of the bolt is a torx I believe. Turn it either way (very small adjustments) then try the door. Look for the sweet spot where the door closes correctly. I found it on mine but don't let it get too loose. Again very small adjustments. Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
I did just as Jim in Oregon suggests, except I just opened the door and used a floor jack to lift the end of the door slightly. It took a couple of tries and about 15 minutes to get things where I wanted them. After the door was centered I had to adjust the striker.
If you spray a little primer on the bolts before you begin it makes seeing your adjustments easier as you can see how much it mores when you jack.
If you spray a little primer on the bolts before you begin it makes seeing your adjustments easier as you can see how much it mores when you jack.
