driver's side door bottom rubs when body flexes?

[GA Nightcrawler]

I have a slight problem with my driver's side door. At the bottom edge, closest to the quad door, the door edge rubs against the sill (body) when the body is flexed any at all. It closes fine, and with clearance, but it clearly hangs lower than the passenger side and moves slightly when going over R. R. tracks and such. Is there any adjustment to the door? Can this be fixed? Anyone else noticed this problem? I hate to go in for warranty work and get the "there's nothing we can do, you'll have to live it" line, or "that's normal" . Thanks guys,

 

[Joe Mc]

Door Problem

Is the passenger door OK? I've only had my 99 a few months and noticed a slight "thump" when I close the driver's door, looked at the lines and it was hangin' low Checked the shop manual first and it actually had a few hints to make the job easier.



Here's what I did: observe the door to fender gap, door to back door gap, door to rocker panel gap and door to roof gap. noticed they were all either tight or a bit loose but mostly hangin' low. Park on level surface, remove left kick plate (inside by left foot when behind the wheel) so you can access the lower hing thru bolt with a 4" extension, I think it took a 14mm so you only need a 3/8 drive - just loosen it a few turns and then slightly snug it. Then with the door open and a piece of scrap wood (1" X 2" or whatever is handy) place it between the jam and bottom of the door just to hold it open and keep it from closing for the next step. Then take some electrical tape and apply it to the door and fender edges (to protect the paint just in case you slip while loosening the other 2 hinge bolts) don't loosen them yet! measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the door (not the edge of the door but the flat surface of the underbody of the door) cut your 2X4 about 1" short of the distance. "Look I know this is long but it does work". Then take a 8" piece of 2X4 and place it under the flat on the door (with a rag between the 2X4 and the door) then the long 2X4 between the ground and the other 2X4. This whole "rig" keeps the door from droping when you loosen the other two hinge bolts - make sense? once you loosen the other two bolts (bottom hinge only now) see if you can tap the 2X4 on the top just below the one on the door flat. you may lift the door and the body at the same time check your hinge to see if it moved. Only go a little bit at a time then tighten the two bolts and observe the gaps - being careful not to fully close the door until you are certian it's not going to hit. Keep it up till the door is where you want it to be don't forget to final tighten the thru bolt by the hick plate.



It's a long job - about a 3 16 ouncer depending on conditions



Let me know how you make out.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Good post Joe Mc. Nice piece of work on the how to.



And you Nightcrawler... ... .come to STP in Atlanta next Saturday and we'll get those nasty doors off that truck for you. We done need no stinkin' doors down here.

 

[Joe Mc]

Nice post - thanks

Thanks Al, glad I could finally add a worthy 2 cents. A bit long winded but like I said the job was a 3 - 16oz Black & Tan'er (at a minimum)



You guy's don't need no stinking doors down there eh



Later