front door adjustments

[16vmini]

is there any kind of adjustment ? i get a little anal about door shuts etc, and noticed when i shut the passenger door lifts a bit when sliding ont the latch , panel lines are great so dont want to adjust the lock side of things ,wondered if its possible to adjust the hinges at all to lift the rear of the door a litte ?

regards

Matt

[New Kentish Campers]

If its lifting, then theres a couple of things to check; does the door actually lift if you try to physically lift it up whilst its open? If so, then that sounds like you have a worn bottom hinge. If the door isn't moving due to worn hinges but still rides up, then that sounds like the door lock striker plate needs adjusting. If you then adjust the striker but the swage lines dont line up, remove the striker and close the door & hold it to see what the lines are like. if they are out, then the hinges [probably the bottom one] need adjusting so that the door swages are good. The refit the striker until the door is flush to the b post, etc.

I hope that helps you

[16vmini]

cheers , there does not seem to be any play in the hinges , it seems as if the stricker plate is just lifting the door a little.

is the bottom hinge actually adjustable ? or is it a case of just loosening off / packing with spacers ?

its not a urgent problem compared to others i have so not in a rush ... just anoys me a little LOL

Matt

[faggie]

the bottom hinge plates welded to the van can need adjustment , this can be alright for one door and wrong for a replacement door so a little tweeking is often neccasary

[New Kentish Campers]

cheers , there does not seem to be any play in the hinges , it seems as if the stricker plate is just lifting the door a little.

is the bottom hinge actually adjustable ? or is it a case of just loosening off / packing with spacers ?

its not a urgent problem compared to others i have so not in a rush ... just anoys me a little LOL

Matt

It's welded to the A post; you could try packing the door, or 'springing' the hinge by putting a small socket in the hinge and then gently leaning the door shut so as to make the hinge move,or, you could use a trolly jack and a stout piece of wood under the door on its widest point [NOT where the skin fits the door's frame, otherwise you'd damage the door] and gently lift the door upward, but its way better to see if a local bodyshop could lend you a adjusting bar, which is like a long bar with and E shaped head where one segment fits on top of the hinge and you then move the hinge to suit. Do take a little care as you dont want to damage the hinge or where its welded to the post. It wouldbe a good idea to disconnect the check-strap too, so that you can open the door a little more, making sure the door edge doesn't foul the A post and damage anything. And of course, you will likely break the paint too so it will need attention afterward. With any of these methods, you must be careful so that you dont do more harm than good!

[crazycradz]

Mines doing the same. I appear to have up and down play in the door when open. I can actually lift it up an inch or two when open! And no matter what adjustment i make to the bolts, it still drops.
If that means the bottom hinge is worn out, is it an easy repair?
Any help would be much appreciated as its really annoying me now!
Thanks in advance...

[New Kentish Campers]

I dont know if these van's hinges have removable pins or not. But if they do, then you could try replacing the pins with new ones. The pins are tubes about an inch and a half long made from a spring type metal and are split all along one side. They can be purchased from a VW dealer. As they are driven in, they compress and thus hold themselves in place. You'd need to loan a service tool that removes the pins;any good bodyshop would have one. Obviously, check that your van does in fact have them in the first place....

[Cruz]

I dont know if these van's hinges have removable pins or not.

Looks like they do

LINK

[kevtherev]

Service item.. hinge lubrication
I wonder how many of us oil them, certainly not these days with modern cars

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

I've had this on mine which is a 1988 van, and it seems like the hinges are welded to the inside of the door, and bolted to the door frame. What's loose on mine seems to be the bottom weld to the door itself, which seems a bit strange and I haven't yet investigated further. I solved mine temporarily by packing washers behind the frame and in front of the top hinge.

Hope you get yours sorted.

Ewen