QuestionQUESTION: I have a 68 mustang coupe. It has a new drivers side door. The problem is I can't seem to align it. No matter what I do to adjust it the sriker side bottom sticks way out.I've played with the body side hinges for up down forward and back adjustment. Also the door hinges up down in out movement to no avail. Even put new pin and bushings to help some of the slop movement I did have. I was wondering if maybe I should replace the hinges.
ANSWER: Hi Richard!....In regards to the hinge adjustments up and down, this will only adjust the door for height, as so the body lines will line up correctly with the quarter panel and fender....As for a forward and back adjustment, this will only adjust the door for tilt....And unfortunatly, changing the pins and bushings, will only help with the slop....But you are DEFINITLY on the right track....Check to see if the hinges lay flat where they mount to the A pillar....If they do not, then I would recommend replacement of the hinges....Generally what causes this condition, is from the door being sprung open too far from the wind, or being swung open too far from exiting the vehicle....This will result in you not being able align the door correctly, no matter how you adjust the hinges....If this is the case, there will more than likely be damage to the A pillar....This is an easy fix....Take a piece of 2x4, lay it flat on the A pillar where the hinge mounts, and simply hit it with a heavy hammer, until the pillar hinge mounts are flush....Once you have checked out these conditions, repaired the pillar and replaced the hinges, then you should be closer to getting the propper adjustment....As you had mentioned, the lower back bottom edge sticks out....If after all of these repairs, the condition still exists, you will need to shim up the top hinge outward....Shims are available for this....This should correct the problem....Even though you have replaced the door with a new one, replacement panels can still need some tweeking....After you have made your final adjustments, take a piece of paper, open the door, and insert the paper in various spots, then close the door....Try and pull the paper out....This will give you indications as to how the door seals against the weatherstrip....Hope this helps you out....Drop me another line, if you have any more concerns....Thanks....Dave
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door gap
018
QUESTION: From what I can see is no damage to the pillar. however their is damage on the rear quarter which is why the new door. As you can see in the gap picture thats as good as it gets I just havent enough adjustment. I think maybe the impact may have srung the hinges but looking at them I sure cant tell. If you can see anything on those 2 pictures please let me know. I have hinges on order and hope that it might be them. I know if a hood hinge is sprung it will be high on that side unless u push the hood down and replace that hinge. Or is it possibly the new door is warped? Thanks
ANSWER: Hi again Richard!....Thanks for the pics....From the picture of the hinge pillar, it appears to look OK....The bottom hinge also seems to sit relatively flat against it....Unfortunatly, I am not able to see the top hinge....But it is still possible that the hinges are bent....When closing the door as far as you can, does the door seem to have excess pressure on it, and spring back when let go....( A door generally will have a small amount of pressure when closing, just enough to compact the weatherstrip )....If it does, this is an indication of the front of the door being adjusted too far inward....Again, the hinges could be to blame....I noticed that the door weatherstrip is still installed...Remove it, and adjust the door outward as far as possible on both hinges....Next check the gap from the weathersrtip pinchweld to the door when it is closed, and see if the gap is even all the way around....It should be....If the passenger side door aligns correctly, remove the weatherstrip on that side, and compare the 2 sides to see any differences....As for the quarter panel, as you mentioned it was damaged, it is also possible that the B pillar, where the door striker is mounted, could be pushed in....To check this, remove the striker....Next take a measurement from the center of the striker bolt hole, to a point on the floor which you absolutly know is the centerline of the vehicle....You will need to remove the carpet, if not already done....Do the same thing on the passenger side, and compare the 2 measurements....This will give you a clear indication if the B pillar has been pushed in....As far as the new door being warped, unfortunatly, this is also possible....If you go through the steps I have mentioned, you should be able to determine by process of elimination the problem area or areas....Hope this helps you out further....Feel free to write back again with any other questions....Thanks....Dave
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alignment 
fender to door
QUESTION: Now I bought another door, new hinges. The new door fits pretty much ok except the front. Now the problem is I have the door and body hinges all the way up in the high position. The problem now is I need approximately 1/16" up to align the door lines with the front fender. Is there any way to achieve that. Thanks
AnswerHi Again Richard!....Nice to hear from you again....Yes, there is a simple solution to this problem....I just looked back at the picture you sent me of the hinge pillar and hinges previously, to figure out the best way to go....From where the upper and lower hinges bolt directly to the door shell, remove the door shell, and take a die grinder with a carbide teardrop bit, and simply elongate the 2 bolt holes on each of the upper and lower hinges upward....If you do not have access to this tool, you can simply use a round metal file....In doing this, it give give you further adjustment upward to get the body lines to line up properly....Drop me a line and let me know how you made out, if you have time....Thanks....Dave
