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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - adjusting door gaps

since i have everything apart on the doors, maybe now is a good time to try and straighten out the drivers door a bit.

Background: about 10 years ago, while an impulsive teen i was pushign the midget backwards out of the driveway because it wouldn't start and needed a jump, the door was open, and the carport was supported by a metal pole... the driveway was sloped enough that momentum carried the car past the pole and "hyper extended" the door. the door has since hung a little off. looking at the door from the left side of the car, the lower right corner (where the door shuts) sticks out just a little, and the top right corner is a little tight.

I know adjusting this might take some fiddling, but how would you imagine it would be sdjusted? What i mean is should i loosen the hinges on the door side or the body side? should i just try to wiglg eit into a better place and retighten? shoudl i try just the top hinge? just the bottom hinge? etc.

or should i leave well enough alone?


Chris Edwards

Chris,

This problem was discussed a few years ago and someone posted the factory method of "adjusting" doors that were misaligned like yours. Basically they would place a 2 X 4 vertically into the bottom opening of the door and apply pressure to the top of the 2 X 4 which was resting against the top until the desired fit was achieved. No loosening of bolts required. Very primative but very affective.

Martin
Martin

i'm confused, you mean the 2x4 is stuck into the bottom of the door from the inside? is the door open or closed when this is done?
Chris Edwards

The door is open, you drop the 2 X 4 down into the area below the window and resting against the bottom of the door while the center of the 2 X 4 against the inside of the door top. You then stand on the outside of the door and pull the top of the 2 X 4 towards yourself twisting the door. Do it a little bit at a tome until you get the desired result. Of course, I've never done this, I'm just going by the ancient thread.

Martin
Martin

If when you have tried all the fiddling with the hinges and you still have the problem, yes the timber stuck through the stripped out door aperature can be carefully used to take the 'twist' out of the door.

Be careful where the pressure is applied - you can easily damage the top of the door, and as Martin has said do it a little at a time. You may have to play with the hinges a bit also after pulling it in.

Also remember to check after 'adjustment' with the seal in place to see what it is closing against. Its a best fit exercise as i dont think any are perfect.

I had to do it on one side of the Heritage shell - a bit nerve racking as you feel you might screw it up - but it did work for me.

Richard.
richard boobier

Chris,
Heres another method:
Place a 2X4 block at the top of the door, between the door opening (b-pillar)and the door
Ease the door closed so that the pressure of the door is holding the block of wood in place
Apply pressure to the bottom of the door on the edge at the point directly beneath the wood
You should be able to warp the door back into place. It will take repeated attempts because you start out with little pressure at first and move up to greater pressure until it warps back to where it should be.
I have done this many times. The beauty is that you do not have to gut the door to do this.
WHU Underwood

Before doing anything, I would go looking for a new set of hinges. The old ones are bent and will just make this job impossible until they have the right shape.

I do ot expect you should have to pay more than about 20 dollars from someone who has a spare set.

Pete
Pete

This thread was discussed between 07/03/2008 and 08/03/2008

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