Donor door alignment
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 21
From: Golden, CO
Donor door alignment
My cab was missing passenger door (and hinges), so I snagged one (with hinges) from a yard.
Any tips for aligning door, adjusting hinges at the door sill? Or, perhaps the door is bent up top?
New seals, and I didn’t want to slam super hard, but as you can see when closed there is a big gap (inboard) up top at the front. Rest of door doesn’t seem too bad, maybe a bit out on lower rear bottom. I think the top hinge is outboard as far as it could go, but maybe I’m missing something simple.
Any tips for aligning door, adjusting hinges at the door sill? Or, perhaps the door is bent up top?
New seals, and I didn’t want to slam super hard, but as you can see when closed there is a big gap (inboard) up top at the front. Rest of door doesn’t seem too bad, maybe a bit out on lower rear bottom. I think the top hinge is outboard as far as it could go, but maybe I’m missing something simple.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 21
From: Golden, CO
Well, that was a bad idea (on my part) to try that method… I don’t know if I slammed too hard or in wrong spots but the ‘rebound’ leverage seems to have bent the upper hinge plate. Now my door won’t even come close to closing. 
Tried beating on it, heating it, using engine hoist, but it isn’t gonna be easy to get a short length of 1/4” steel to bend back. I’m afraid I’m going to have to remove the damn hinge pins now so I can isolate it in a vice I guess. We all know how much fun that is…
One step forward, two steps back.
Tried beating on it, heating it, using engine hoist, but it isn’t gonna be easy to get a short length of 1/4” steel to bend back. I’m afraid I’m going to have to remove the damn hinge pins now so I can isolate it in a vice I guess. We all know how much fun that is…
One step forward, two steps back.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
Likes: 3,110
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Before going through hassle of removing the door pin and replacing it, if I am getting what happened, you over bent the door hinge. Why not try bending it back in position? I'd take the door off, laying a piece of metal in the "crotch" of the hinge, heat the metal and gently tap the metal back into position. Do a little at a time and test fit the door. I know it takes time but you don't want to have to remove the pin if you don't have to.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 703
Likes: 4
From: NJ
Was the door stored leaning against something with the top bearing the weight? I remember visiting the Ford plant in Chester, Pa and watching the cars come down the line. One guy had a rubber mallet and he would use it to align doors and trunks by whacking the offending area or sticking the handle in the frame and slamming the door against it. I see no problem with gntly twisting the top to get it into alignment.
Later!
Mr. Ed
Later!
Mr. Ed
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,346
Likes: 5,371
From: Central PA
Was the door stored leaning against something with the top bearing the weight? I remember visiting the Ford plant in Chester, Pa and watching the cars come down the line. One guy had a rubber mallet and he would use it to align doors and trunks by whacking the offending area or sticking the handle in the frame and slamming the door against it. I see no problem with gntly twisting the top to get it into alignment.
Later!
Mr. Ed
Later!
Mr. Ed
When did the Chester, PA plant close?
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