Door alignment

[Buzby58]

Hi

I have a '69 2 door and the drivers door isn't a good fit (!) along part of the door frame:-

[frame][/frame]

Although fits well (in MM terms!) enough at the top and bottom:-

[frame][/frame]

I'm wondering if this is an out of shape door, or the side of the car has had a shove at some point or is possibly adjustable, although have tried moving the door catches to no avail.

Any pointers gratefully received

Cheers

Grant

[Fingolfin]

It could be just slightly out of shape. When I had this problem with Mog's driver's door, my dad and I discovered the upper (the window frame) was striking the body before the rest of the door could, so I wound down the window and dad, in his great strength, bent the frame outward. That helped the problem.
If the door will still shut, you could adjust the striker catch on the B-pillar so it is more inboard.

[KeithGSY]

Where the door hinges bolt to the hinge pillar the bolts are in slots. Loosen the bolts and the door will move about a LOT. Get the B post fit right then finally adjust the wing to match up. Check for rust in the hinge pillar / flitch panel as it causes a lot of problems with door fit too.

[bmcecosse]

If the fit at the wing end is ok - don't touch the hinges!

[Buzby58]

If the fit at the wing end is ok - don't touch the hinges!

The wing/door fit is just about perfect, which is why I'm thinking something is amiss and on the side shown. The door fits at the at the top and bottom - I'm just wondering if it's been over on it's side and pushed the rear side panel in a little bit.

Is there any way of measuring that?

[Neil MG]

The top (or glass frame) is relatively easy to bend in or out. Bending it out slightly might allow you to improve the fit at the latch.

[bmcecosse]

Can only suggest you compare profile with the 'good' side. But yes - tipped on side could easily cause this.

[wardal@uwclub.net]

I have a similar problem on my convertible. It has had the entire front quarter rebuilt, but I know it was bad before the work so not anything to do with what I've repaired. I braced the door fram before cutting and replacing the door pillar. It also fits fine at the wing, but the window frame is a tight fit. I wonder if the body has sagged a little over time as the car was once a hard top. If that sht case, my measuring, bracing and replacing everything accurately has kept a fault I had before i started , and will now need to work out how to re-align everything - sounds a real pain. I could also have a tristed door too wich makes to all add up to a poor fit.

Interested to here how tyo get on fixing this.