Door alignment

[Barbour]

Couldn't find much usable info on this, except that it seems to be quite common..

The right side door (drivers side on RHD, passenger side on LHD) is not sagging, but misaligned.


Any hands-on tips on how to correct this are very much appreciated!

[Rob Bell]

I'd have a look at the lower hinge - usually alignment is pretty good from the factory - certainly not out like this - so I guess the hinge has been removed from the A-pillar in the past?

[mgtfnut]

I've just replaced the driver's door hinges and sort of had the same problem.
If the shut lines look ok, try opening the door and slightly loosening the bolts of hinge to door. Then shut the door carefully on the partial latch and gently thump with your hand to get the bottom of the door to line up. Trial and error to get just enough slackness to get movement, but not so much that the door will move under it's own weight. If the door is fully tightened/ latched the door seals will hold the door firm! Then, of course, carefully tighten the bolts back up quickly.
I also slackened and re-tightened the top hinge bolts to remove any residual tension.

[Barbour]

I'd have a look at the lower hinge - usually alignment is pretty good from the factory - certainly not out like this - so I guess the hinge has been removed from the A-pillar in the past?

I guess, the car has had front damage in the past, partial respray of the front.

I've just replaced the driver's door hinges and sort of had the same problem.
If the shut lines look ok, try opening the door and slightly loosening the bolts of hinge to door. Then shut the door carefully on the partial latch and gently thump with your hand to get the bottom of the door to line up. Trial and error to get just enough slackness to get movement, but not so much that the door will move under it's own weight. If the door is fully tightened/ latched the door seals will hold the door firm! Then, of course, carefully tighten the bolts back up quickly.
I also slackened and re-tightened the top hinge bolts to remove any residual tension.

Thanks for the tips folks,

I've tried it, but to very little effect so far...

Except that now the window won't go up anymore

Sigh.. Or as our youngsters say, FML...

[mgtfnut]

Forgive me - but you might have to be a bit more brutal

Your TF in X-Power grey most likely didn't come out of the factory like that

Try again, loosen the bottom two bolts on the body side of the top hinge, leaving the top bolt intact. Then loosen the door two bolts on the bottom hinge, door side, completely, supporting the door with some protective material to protect the paint.

Carefully close the door, either fully or half latched and give the bottom of the door a good thump with the heel of you hand near the stronger area of folded door skin.

If this doesn't show results, take the bottom hinge off completely and elongate the body holes. It's a casting and will easily take a bit of abuse.
If you're really unlucky, you might bump into me at Kempenrit (two 2002 X-Power grey?)