Door removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 258
From: Virginia
Door removal
How difficult is it to remove the driver side door? I really didn’t want to have to do this but I can’t stand the popping/cracking sound everytime I open my door and I’m afraid I am going to have to do some fiberglass repair. I couldn’t find much on YouTube on the steps. Anyone have a good write up on how to do it?
The door seems to be lined up fine and I don’t have any issues opening/closing other than the popping noise and I can see some cracks on the fiberglass just behind the spring. So I need to figure out what’s going on here.
The door seems to be lined up fine and I don’t have any issues opening/closing other than the popping noise and I can see some cracks on the fiberglass just behind the spring. So I need to figure out what’s going on here.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,338
Likes: 2,437
From: Eastern
The service manual doesn't even show detailed instructions, only in sections. The inner door panel will need to be removed, all the electrical connectors
disconnected and loosened. The accordion between the door and frame will need to be removed, and the wiring for the door pulled out towards the door frame so the door can be removed without damaging the wiring or connectors. Once the wiring is clear, assure that the door is wide open and can be held firmly, try to trace around where the hinges are, then you can remove the bolts that hold the door to the frame. Leave the hinge on the door itself. This will help when replacing the door.
Good Luck
disconnected and loosened. The accordion between the door and frame will need to be removed, and the wiring for the door pulled out towards the door frame so the door can be removed without damaging the wiring or connectors. Once the wiring is clear, assure that the door is wide open and can be held firmly, try to trace around where the hinges are, then you can remove the bolts that hold the door to the frame. Leave the hinge on the door itself. This will help when replacing the door.
Good Luck
Last edited by 4SUMERZ; Nov 9, 2021 at 07:21 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 711
From: Sausalito CA
FWIW. It is the weight of the door that may be more challenging than the "nut and bolt" removal.
(Don't forget to mark the hinges before removal to aid in reinstall alignment).
There are specialty door holding support tools, but the cost could be prohibitive.
A helper would be a much-needed aid to R&I.
Good luck, I would term this door removal project easy.
(Don't forget to mark the hinges before removal to aid in reinstall alignment).
There are specialty door holding support tools, but the cost could be prohibitive.
A helper would be a much-needed aid to R&I.
Good luck, I would term this door removal project easy.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 392
From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
FYI, I had popping, crunching, and rubbing noises when I closed/opened the door. Since I had recently removed the fender from the car, I knew that was the problem.
The adjustment that finally fixed this problem was an inner tab that allow adjustments inward ( toward the car ) and outward.
The adjustment that finally fixed this problem was an inner tab that allow adjustments inward ( toward the car ) and outward.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 258
From: Virginia
FYI, I had popping, crunching, and rubbing noises when I closed/opened the door. Since I had recently removed the fender from the car, I knew that was the problem.
The adjustment that finally fixed this problem was an inner tab that allow adjustments inward ( toward the car ) and outward.
The adjustment that finally fixed this problem was an inner tab that allow adjustments inward ( toward the car ) and outward.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 820
Likes: 332
From: Orlando Florida
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 258
From: Virginia
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,350
Likes: 538
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Glad you were able to fix yours and I wish that were simply the case with mine but I’ve already checked that and it’s for sure coming from the inner part of the door itself.
Removing and re-installing the door panel is fairly easy.
Last edited by Keppler; Nov 9, 2021 at 09:38 PM.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 258
From: Virginia
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 258
From: Virginia
I’ll try to get a good video of the noise this weekend but it’s difficult and hard to pinpoint because most of the popping happens before I can get the door open wide enough to isolate it. And after the initial opening when the car has been sitting for awhile it doesn’t do it near as bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,247
Likes: 678
From: Portsmouth, NH
I cover a decent amount of it in this video. Skip to the 8 minute mark if you you dont want to watch the whole thing. Door is reasonably light since its fiberglass i had no problem balancing it on my knee and removing it. I had a helper to re-install though. Removal is pretty self-explainatory. Remove door panel, remove all eletrical connectors and pull through, 4 bolts, and its off. I removed the mirror and window since the door was being painted so you can skip that: