door alignment
September 8th, 2015, 08:46 AM
#1
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door alignment
hey guys can someone please explain how to adjust the door on a 71 cutlass ?
the door that was on the car fit nice but had a big dent in it ,so i replaced with another door years ago and when i had a cheap paint job done i asked them to adjust it and they never did and i just put it out of mine ,then door needs to come back a little bit ,anyone have pics on how to adjust the door? any help would be great thank you in advance ..
the door that was on the car fit nice but had a big dent in it ,so i replaced with another door years ago and when i had a cheap paint job done i asked them to adjust it and they never did and i just put it out of mine ,then door needs to come back a little bit ,anyone have pics on how to adjust the door? any help would be great thank you in advance ..
September 8th, 2015, 10:09 AM
#3
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
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The specs for alignment are in the Assembly manual. That said door alignment is an art. The gaps that you have on the back are typically what the factory actually delivered. The front gas do look bad, but the ridge line in the fender to door lines up. You sure it's not a fender issue more than a door one? Is the fender original or a repop? The way the fender edge is out suggests that to me.
September 9th, 2015, 06:05 AM
#4
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September 9th, 2015, 06:23 AM
#5
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The specs for alignment are in the Assembly manual. That said door alignment is an art. The gaps that you have on the back are typically what the factory actually delivered. The front gas do look bad, but the ridge line in the fender to door lines up. You sure it's not a fender issue more than a door one? Is the fender original or a repop? The way the fender edge is out suggests that to me.
pics of pass side ,
September 9th, 2015, 10:50 AM
#7
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September 9th, 2015, 02:01 PM
#8
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It's always recommended to start panel adjustments at the rear and go forward. I had to move my passenger door back slightly because the fender gap was almost non existent. I used a paint stick as the guide to determine the gap to the quarter panel. First I removed the striker so I have a static starting point with the door gap and depth. Then I used a jack under the door with a towel-wrapped 2x4 to support the weight of the door. I marked the original position of the hinge on the cowl, slightly loosened the upper hinge from the body and then lowered the jack until the hinge moved back slightly from the original mark. Then I snugged the bolts on the top hinge, marked the lower hinge, slightly loosened the lower hinge bolts and then slightly raised the jack to move the lower hinge back. It took several tries to get the gap as I wanted it, so patience is a virtue. You also need to be aware of the lower gap at the rocker panel to keep the gap level with the rocker panel.
You may also consider a shim under the core support at the bushing to slightly raise the front edge of the fender which will close the gap at the rear of the fender at the door. From my experience, I wouldn't recommend more that 1/16 to 1/8. Again, small adjustments show large improvements. The shim I placed under the core support closed the gap at the top of the fender to an acceptable distance.
Others may have different methods... just saying this was my solution.
You may also consider a shim under the core support at the bushing to slightly raise the front edge of the fender which will close the gap at the rear of the fender at the door. From my experience, I wouldn't recommend more that 1/16 to 1/8. Again, small adjustments show large improvements. The shim I placed under the core support closed the gap at the top of the fender to an acceptable distance.
Others may have different methods... just saying this was my solution.
Last edited by 1968_Post; September 9th, 2015 at 02:15 PM.
September 9th, 2015, 02:39 PM
#10
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Location: Tennessee
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That's a good question... 
Also, how evenly spaced is the fender to hood gap from front to rear? Until Allen drew my attention to the antenna, I didn't notice the fender seems to be out past the front edge of the door. How far out is the fender shimmed under the door? How is the top rear fender mounting bolt related to the bolt hole? Is there a shim between the fender and cowl?
I attached a chart I created from the assembly manual with the dimensions of the gaps.
Also, how evenly spaced is the fender to hood gap from front to rear? Until Allen drew my attention to the antenna, I didn't notice the fender seems to be out past the front edge of the door. How far out is the fender shimmed under the door? How is the top rear fender mounting bolt related to the bolt hole? Is there a shim between the fender and cowl?
I attached a chart I created from the assembly manual with the dimensions of the gaps.
Last edited by 1968_Post; September 9th, 2015 at 05:48 PM.
September 9th, 2015, 05:06 PM
#11
Just an Olds Guy
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Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
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The fender can be shimmed out quite a bit on that rear fender mounting bolt. Mine has a stack of about 5 shims there to put it flush with the door. That might also change the fender/hood gaps. Proceed with caution.
BTW, your rear cowl stainless is not on all the way. Shouldn't be that little gap between the stainless and the hood ridge. Right side wiper looks like it's not parked in the right place either. Should be lower and out of sight.
BTW, your rear cowl stainless is not on all the way. Shouldn't be that little gap between the stainless and the hood ridge. Right side wiper looks like it's not parked in the right place either. Should be lower and out of sight.
September 10th, 2015, 07:40 AM
#12
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i dont remember anything falling out when i took the door off , i just took unbolted the door from the hinge didnt mess with the hinge that was bolted to the car body
September 10th, 2015, 07:50 AM
#13
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Join Date: Oct 2014
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It's always recommended to start panel adjustments at the rear and go forward. I had to move my passenger door back slightly because the fender gap was almost non existent. I used a paint stick as the guide to determine the gap to the quarter panel. First I removed the striker so I have a static starting point with the door gap and depth. Then I used a jack under the door with a towel-wrapped 2x4 to support the weight of the door. I marked the original position of the hinge on the cowl, slightly loosened the upper hinge from the body and then lowered the jack until the hinge moved back slightly from the original mark. Then I snugged the bolts on the top hinge, marked the lower hinge, slightly loosened the lower hinge bolts and then slightly raised the jack to move the lower hinge back. It took several tries to get the gap as I wanted it, so patience is a virtue. You also need to be aware of the lower gap at the rocker panel to keep the gap level with the rocker panel.
You may also consider a shim under the core support at the bushing to slightly raise the front edge of the fender which will close the gap at the rear of the fender at the door. From my experience, I wouldn't recommend more that 1/16 to 1/8. Again, small adjustments show large improvements. The shim I placed under the core support closed the gap at the top of the fender to an acceptable distance.
Others may have different methods... just saying this was my solution.
You may also consider a shim under the core support at the bushing to slightly raise the front edge of the fender which will close the gap at the rear of the fender at the door. From my experience, I wouldn't recommend more that 1/16 to 1/8. Again, small adjustments show large improvements. The shim I placed under the core support closed the gap at the top of the fender to an acceptable distance.
Others may have different methods... just saying this was my solution.
September 10th, 2015, 08:11 AM
#15
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 19
That's a good question...
Also, how evenly spaced is the fender to hood gap from front to rear? Until Allen drew my attention to the antenna, I didn't notice the fender seems to be out past the front edge of the door. How far out is the fender shimmed under the door? How is the top rear fender mounting bolt related to the bolt hole? Is there a shim between the fender and cowl?
I attached a chart I created from the assembly manual with the dimensions of the gaps.
Also, how evenly spaced is the fender to hood gap from front to rear? Until Allen drew my attention to the antenna, I didn't notice the fender seems to be out past the front edge of the door. How far out is the fender shimmed under the door? How is the top rear fender mounting bolt related to the bolt hole? Is there a shim between the fender and cowl?
I attached a chart I created from the assembly manual with the dimensions of the gaps.
yeah the fender is out a little from the door i just thought it was due to the door not being adjust right , all these problems started when i replaced the door
September 10th, 2015, 08:45 AM
#16
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 19
The fender can be shimmed out quite a bit on that rear fender mounting bolt. Mine has a stack of about 5 shims there to put it flush with the door. That might also change the fender/hood gaps. Proceed with caution.
BTW, your rear cowl stainless is not on all the way. Shouldn't be that little gap between the stainless and the hood ridge. Right side wiper looks like it's not parked in the right place either. Should be lower and out of sight.
BTW, your rear cowl stainless is not on all the way. Shouldn't be that little gap between the stainless and the hood ridge. Right side wiper looks like it's not parked in the right place either. Should be lower and out of sight.
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