Can anyone explain this door hinge reversal???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 8,433
Likes: 392
From: Oklahoma
Can anyone explain this door hinge reversal???
Can ANYONE explain why this was done? Had no idea they could even be installed incorrectly like this.
Absolutely clueless to how or WHY an “expert” would have done this. The upper door hinge was installed in the lower position. Didn’t even know this was possible.
Unfortunately failed to realize this till we were finishing the doors and went to install door springs.
The doors were not on (nor much else) when we got the car back from DUBS shop.
We REALLY don’t want to pull the (fully loaded door OFF to change out both the hinges. Will it damage the door to use w/o a spring?
As the dash, interior is now installed and doors have windows & hardware in, sure it will be quite the undertaking to correct this.
Absolutely clueless to how or WHY an “expert” would have done this. The upper door hinge was installed in the lower position. Didn’t even know this was possible.
Unfortunately failed to realize this till we were finishing the doors and went to install door springs.
The doors were not on (nor much else) when we got the car back from DUBS shop.
We REALLY don’t want to pull the (fully loaded door OFF to change out both the hinges. Will it damage the door to use w/o a spring?
As the dash, interior is now installed and doors have windows & hardware in, sure it will be quite the undertaking to correct this.
Last edited by c1nicole; Sep 26, 2025 at 04:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 8,433
Likes: 392
From: Oklahoma
I have absolutely no idea. Can’t ask DUB so….. can’t imagine he would mess up something so basic.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hello,
" Will it damage the door to use w/o a spring?"
Isn't it the spring that limits how far the door can open?....that's what stops the front edge of the door from 'crunching' the rear edge of the fender
Regards.....
" Will it damage the door to use w/o a spring?"
Isn't it the spring that limits how far the door can open?....that's what stops the front edge of the door from 'crunching' the rear edge of the fender
Regards.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 1,561
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Hi c1nicole,
I have no idea how the hinges can be reversed but remove them and install them correctly.
4-vettes (on your last post) shows which is which.
The "S" spring is there to keep the door from closing on your leg, it holds the door in the open position.
I have no idea how the hinges can be reversed but remove them and install them correctly.
4-vettes (on your last post) shows which is which.
The "S" spring is there to keep the door from closing on your leg, it holds the door in the open position.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,282
Likes: 7,863
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Yes, the black 77 in my avatar had broken springs in both doors. The doors wouldn't stay open by themselves. Sounds minor. One door swung shut on a young child's hand one day. Became a high priority to repair when that happened.
The door can be supported in place. Basically only the door card needs to come off. That's the easy part. The upper hinge means the dash is coming back out.
Yes you can use the car without the door spring. Yes it is a safety issue.
The door can be supported in place. Basically only the door card needs to come off. That's the easy part. The upper hinge means the dash is coming back out.
Yes you can use the car without the door spring. Yes it is a safety issue.
