Another door alignment question

[mavsfan21]

I'm having a hell of a time getting the passenger door to close properly. I have searched and read every thread on this subject, but have not found the answer yet. Can someone please explain what movement of the hinges causes what movement of the doors( hinges moved in X direction cause door to move in Y direction).

Currently my door is hitting at the top of where the windshield frame and the slanted window frame meet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks:

Chuck, TX

 

[ObscureMachine]

How are your body mounts? If they are old and sagging, you will probably need to replace them in order to get your doors square.

 

[mavsfan21]

just installed the WH 1" BL this past weekend.

 

[302fix]

I've been there:
The hinge movement did little for me. Obviously moving the hinge at the door post out moves the door out. Same with the hinge on the door mount (think of it as being closed).
I did have some luck with a few washers under the drivers body mount that brought that side up just a little. Obscure had a good point in making sure the body mounts are solid. Mine were rusted through and there was no way to get the door right until the body is sitting solid on the frame.
Sounds more like you need to move the door toward the striker???
You could try a shim between the hinge and the door post...another method is to tape a socket between the two hinges on the door post and use some gentle persuasion to move the door back some.
If that doesn't work you could drill out the spot weld on the door post and move that back where it....well never mind...just slam the dern thing.

 

[jedblake]

This is a tough question to answer since all our eb's are 30-40 yrs old and in varying conditions. However we have all had the joy of trying to adjust.
Has the truck ever been in an accident? Have the window frames ever been taken off? Are these the OE doors? Have you tried using shims? maybe some new hinges? Just some thoughts that might be causing your frustration

 

[mavsfan21]

So is there adjusting that can be done where the hinge attaches to the door also?

No accidents that I'm aware of and I can't find any evidence that the window frames have ever been removed. The hinges do a tiny bit of slop in them though. As to the mentioned area of where the door seems to be having issues do I need to move the door down or out. This is frustrating but I would like the door to operate correctly at some point.

 

[bludorbronc]

How is the rest of the gaps, is it only touching at the frame, do you have the top on, if only spot, maybe loosen top to frame bolts and push corner out.

 

[302fix]

So is there adjusting that can be done where the hinge attaches to the door also?

Some but it doesn't sound like the direction you need to go.

Check this thread. 2badrotties has some great suggestions:
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79927&highlight=door+tape+bend

 

[deltarat]

I have a friend that works at the Nisson plant here in Ms. He said you would not want to see how they align the doors on new cars. They put in 2x4s and slam the doors and put there knees against the doors and pull out the top where needed. So even new cars need bending.

 

[302fix]

Take a look at this video.
http://www.livevideo.com/media/playvideo_fs.aspx?fs=1&cid=F4B5854611D141AFA19359F36DCDC74F

Looks easy enough.

 

[Bucky]

Looks like I've been using the wrong tools all along! I need a bigger BFH!!!

 

[surfer-b]

Did the doors align before the body lift? Is the gap at the top of the door, not at the top of the window frame, and the front fender smaller than at the bottom? If so and there are no shims behind the hinges, check the body mounts at the front fender and under the front floor pan on the side you are having problems. It sounds if the body has too much spacer under the front fender or not enough under the floor mount on that side. If this is the case cut the body mount as to what is needed or add and replace, you might want to use a piece of wood or something as a test fit so as not to cut too much out of the body lift block. NOTE: before doing any of this if you have the bumpers on check to see if the body sits parellel with the bumpers I have had to modify body mounts to get all of these to align properly, body with fenders, doors, ect. ect.

 

[66 U14 NICK]

My doors are off as well. I've tried the BFH all I got done was mess up the paint. I just got tired of messing with them and just slam them. Every once in a while I'll try to get them right but end up mad as hell and quit.

 

[mavsfan21]

The clearance issue is at the top corner of the windshield frame and door frame. Even when I slam the piss out of it the door is still about 1/4" from being flush with the quarter panel. I do believe that the weather stripping is playing some sort of role in it. I will try heating the stripping and slamming the door shut and leaving it for a while.

I'm getting pretty close to trying the kick it and beat it with a hammer tactic.

 

[bludorbronc]

If you are satisfied with the gaps but the door is not level with the rear quarter panel loosen the stiker and move it in till door is level.

 

[DirtDonk]

bludorbronc had a good suggestion about moving the windshield frame instead of the door.
We're assuming you don't have a soft top or bikini top attached? Reason is that they pull back on the frame.
You probably don't, but it deserved mention.

Paul