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Tips
Tips

Problem hanging doors

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Speedy_Pete

Jedi Trainee
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Just spent quite a while down in the garage trying to get the drivers side door to line up, wihtout success. I have got the spaces around the door all straight, so it's sitting right, but the lock and striker plate won't line up as the door shuts. From what I can see, the striker plate needs to come down another 1mm but it is as low as it will go. I was going to bring the lock plate up to compensate, but the bolts are not attached to moveable backplates. If I bring the door up another 1mm the front upper part will rub on the A pillar as it opens. Any suggestions?
 
Are the striker plate screws bottoming on the holes, or will the plate not slide low enough? I had a similar problem, but after cleaning the rust scale and junk from the captured plate, then it slid down where it needed to be.

Also measure top and bottom gaps. The tub has probably sagged some.
 
They are a pain indeed. The striker thingee, can also be bent a bit, stick a phillips head in the hole.
 
I use a piece of wood on the sill under the door.
A paint stick or something similar.
Get it close with the screws on the A post, and keep the door bolts semi loose.
Close the door, latch it, eyeball the top of door to top of B post. Eyeball the hinge side with the A post so it's flush top and bottom, again a paint stick for clearance works good. Now snug up the door bolts at the door.
Slowly open it, watch for it hitting the A post, and if it's OK, tighten the A post screws.
Do all these adjustment BEFORE the weatherstrip goes on.
The simple weight of the door makes it want to sag down on the latch side, you usually have to lift it up as you tighten the bolts on the door side.
 
Good advice... I am glad to know that I am not the only one with this EXACT problem. I just gave up and decided that it was probably best to come back to it later. Maybe I will give it another shot - I am still dreading it thought!
 
Cheers for the advice, have taken it on board and will get time for another attempt on Thursday (next 2 days I'm stuck in the office all day!). Will let you know how I get on, expect photos...
 
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