Doors

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Firezombie

Doors

Post by Firezombie »

I am restoring my 1970 Fiat Spider. The passenger door sticks a little when opening and closing. Wanted to know what would work the best in making it a open little smoother? :idea:
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

the first thing to look at is whether the doors are aligned properly. It's common for the sheetmetal to crack or fatigue around the hinges, letting the door sag. Gently close the door without latching it, then check the body lines to the door for alignment. More than likely the door is low, forcing it to raise when it hits the latch. With the door open, try lifting the back end of the door to check for looseness
TVST*R

Post by TVST*R »

There is a repair method that the guys (the old guy) at Tony's Tops
do here in LA. They have qouted me $200 per door and it includes
cutting through the interior of the door by the hinge (cut is hidden
under the door panel) and then welding that hinge box. I don't
know the exact details.

Both my doors sag and need the repair.
T 8)
Firezombie

doors

Post by Firezombie »

I will check that. Thanks!!
User avatar
spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

Post by spidernut »

If the doors aren't rusted around the hinges, check to see if the door lugs are misaligned or broken. It can cause them to bind if too much weight from the door is resting on the lug.

Also, the door striker (mounted to the quarterpanel) might be misaligned as well. It took several times for me to adjust the door striker before the doors opened properly. You'll find thin shims between the striker and the quarterpanel. Try adjusting it first. It moves in several directions. I found one side on my Spider had one too many shims causing it to rub against the door.

After a bit of experimentation, I had my doors opening and closing nice and smooth!!!
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
User avatar
spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

Post by spidernut »

Messed up forum caused a duplicate post.
Last edited by spidernut on Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
User avatar
spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

Post by spidernut »

Messed up forum caused a duplicate post.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
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