Found a hidden CRACK
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Found a hidden CRACK
OK guys I need some help on this one. I was cleaning the car at the show in St. Petersburg on the Pier yesterday. When I noticed a vertical crack 
between the two door hinges on the passengers door. It's lenth is about 12 to 15 inches long. My question. Is this an easy fix? Or does the fender have to come off with the door??????? I have been getting water in on that side for awhile now. Thats how I found the crack. Allways looking at that side. I don't think that has anything to do with the water. Because, the floor is wet while sitting in the garage. I'm looking at the heater core on. I hope a shut off valve on the hoses will stop the leak. Until I can replace the core. 
between the two door hinges on the passengers door. It's lenth is about 12 to 15 inches long. My question. Is this an easy fix? Or does the fender have to come off with the door??????? I have been getting water in on that side for awhile now. Thats how I found the crack. Allways looking at that side. I don't think that has anything to do with the water. Because, the floor is wet while sitting in the garage. I'm looking at the heater core on. I hope a shut off valve on the hoses will stop the leak. Until I can replace the core.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
Originally Posted by Brown78
I won't ever hold my breath waiting for a reply from this forum ever again. I'll find help some place else. 
Having had that problem you described, I know exactly what to do, but I think I will post it somewhere else and have you find it!!!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Shoot, I've posted more than one thread that got little to no response. The last one being about camshaft recommendations - something everyone has an opinion on - and never even got a nibble. It's just the way of the message board.
Keep in mind most people don't have the answer to your question... Most of the ones that do may not be online at the time your post is at or near the top... Then, the couple that haven't been weeded out yet either were going to respond and forgot/got distracted.... or perhaps had something else come up before the could post. Who knows...
Keep your post near the top in the future and you'll get an answer sooner or later.... Or, you can pick up your toys and go home.
Keep in mind most people don't have the answer to your question... Most of the ones that do may not be online at the time your post is at or near the top... Then, the couple that haven't been weeded out yet either were going to respond and forgot/got distracted.... or perhaps had something else come up before the could post. Who knows...
Keep your post near the top in the future and you'll get an answer sooner or later.... Or, you can pick up your toys and go home.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 1
From: Mooresville NC
Dude, don't be so harsh with the forum.
It's kinda hard to determine to what extent your crack is from here. For starters if its a surface crack then you can do a surface repair - I suggest a good fiberglassing book and paint book.
If it's a deep crack, which sound like your describing here, I would be more concerned with what is causing it to crack, like a rusting pillar or frame in that area. The fibergalss is obviously flexing where the structrual integrity has been compromised. That's why it probably cracked.
Good Luck!
It's kinda hard to determine to what extent your crack is from here. For starters if its a surface crack then you can do a surface repair - I suggest a good fiberglassing book and paint book.
If it's a deep crack, which sound like your describing here, I would be more concerned with what is causing it to crack, like a rusting pillar or frame in that area. The fibergalss is obviously flexing where the structrual integrity has been compromised. That's why it probably cracked.
Good Luck!
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 451
Likes: 2
From: Toronto On
Besides, you didn't even describe the problem that well.
Is the crack on the surface of the door, or the seam along the front edge, or on the inside of the door betwwen the two hinge mounts? How do you expect an answer when you're not clear?
You have a lot of sarcasm for someone who is asking for FREE advice. I think your idea is best - go look somewhere else from now on.
Is the crack on the surface of the door, or the seam along the front edge, or on the inside of the door betwwen the two hinge mounts? How do you expect an answer when you're not clear?
You have a lot of sarcasm for someone who is asking for FREE advice. I think your idea is best - go look somewhere else from now on.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 221
Likes: 16
From: Green Lake WI
The water problem may not be associated with the crack. because you say it "leaks" when it is in the garage, it may be a plugged AC condensate drain.As I am not in that great nice and warm state of FLA, I dont have the need to use the AC. Of course, I dont get hurricanes either. Good luck!
.......dayum
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
When I am trying to find an answer to a problem, I will post it on several forums at the same time. I get more knowledgeable answers here!!
Other forums have only 1 or 2 people that have the answers, and it takes a while for them to get around to your question. But here it seems like there are more people who have been there done that, and are willing to share their experience.
www.bigdogvettes.com
Other forums have only 1 or 2 people that have the answers, and it takes a while for them to get around to your question. But here it seems like there are more people who have been there done that, and are willing to share their experience.
www.bigdogvettes.com
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
I noticed that the original post was created 12 Sept (Sunday afternoon)... many of us don't play on the computer over weekends = spending quality time with family; wrenching on the Vette; etc... We would rather do the thread thing during the week at work to burn time and <look> productive. Nothing shows better productivity than constant hammering on the keyboard. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Ummm ... sort of confusing description there.
It sounds like the crack is in the steel frame of the door ... correct ?
If so - this cannot leak water into the cabin.
Does the fender need to come off - not to remove the door.
The door can come off three ways:
1 - remove the hinge pins (maybe a pain - but easy to get back on)
2 - remove the hinge bolts on the inside
3 - remove the hinge bolts in the door
2 and 3 will require re-aligning the door after bolting it back up.
One trick is to drill two teeny holes through the hinge and the
pillar(or door) to help with realignment.
Answers don't always come on command.
It sounds like the crack is in the steel frame of the door ... correct ?
If so - this cannot leak water into the cabin.
Does the fender need to come off - not to remove the door.
The door can come off three ways:
1 - remove the hinge pins (maybe a pain - but easy to get back on)
2 - remove the hinge bolts on the inside
3 - remove the hinge bolts in the door
2 and 3 will require re-aligning the door after bolting it back up.
One trick is to drill two teeny holes through the hinge and the
pillar(or door) to help with realignment.
Answers don't always come on command.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,997
Likes: 1
From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by nhlgopens
I noticed that the original post was created 12 Sept (Sunday afternoon)... many of us don't play on the computer over weekends = spending quality time with family; wrenching on the Vette; etc... We would rather do the thread thing during the week at work to burn time and <look> productive. Nothing shows better productivity than constant hammering on the keyboard.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Originally Posted by VettePower
Having had that problem you described, I know exactly what to do, but I think I will post it somewhere else and have you find it!!!
And now that people are keeping this thread at the top.... notice all the useful responses.... If you can handle it, you're welcome back
-Chris
