Topic: Sagging Doors
in Forum: C3 Body
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I have a 72 454 Coupe and the doors stick a little and look like they are sagging. However, if I try to lift them from the handle end I do not see any "play" in the hinges. Is this a typical problem? Do I need to replace the hinges or can I get away with just the pins and bushings? Thanks.
Mario
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I agree with daveb12. If new pins and bushings don't help I hate to say that you may have a car which has been twisted. Check your body mounts to ensure they are in good condition. Because you have a coupe, the body shouldn't move too much when you jack the car up (the birdcage keeps everything in line) unless there is rust in the steel frame inside the fibreglass. 'A' pillars can rust out pretty easy in these cars if seals and waterproofing is not cared for.
Thanks Chips58 and Daveb12.. I'm almost embarrassed to ask but what do you mean by the "birdcage" I'm a new owner and eager to learn. I see some rust along the side rails of the windshield frame, is this what you mean by the "A" pillar? Also I see rust causing bubbles under the fiberglass on the nose - not a good sign I guess. Oh well, I love a challenge! PS my car is the same color as yours I'll post a picture when i figure out how!
Mario
Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
Yea , They're all a challenge, but don't let that phase ya. Sounds like you've got one worth working on ( Chrome bumper/ 454 )
Sweet.
Sweet.Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again. 
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The cage is simply the steel frame that forms the windshield and cowl. They are prone to rust. I'd look at the simpler stuff to start with. You mentioned there isn't much flex when you lift on the door, try just adjusting the doors and see if they stay. These cars are old and like us things settle over time.
The bumps on the cowl are another matter, not necessarily a bad thing. Let's get the doors adjusted, then you can send me a pic of the cowl, I'll try to help. If you want to put pictures of your car up, there's a bunch of guys that will help or even put them on for you. then we can all see what you got!
Former Member
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Spotsylvania, VA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2007
Posts: 293
Vette(s): 1977 Silver Coupe
If the spacing around the door and the rest of the body is pretty even and the hinges have no play, then I would check, I guess I would call it the striker? the doohicky that the door locks on, and see if if it is adjusted right before I looked at other things.
I just ran across this post, I had the same problem doors hinge pins had play in them and I had a big body gap between the door and the fender. I thought the worst the nose was sagging along with my door hinge pins being loose. I replaced all four door hinges with new bolts and my door gap is back and the door is tight.
Good luck
Yeah, I agree with daveb12. The "A" pillars are the front door and windscreen pillars on normal sedans thus with our cars they are the same. When you look at a normal sedan with proper full door frames, the "A" pillar is the front one, the "B" pillar is the one between the front and back doors and the "C" pillar is the rear one at the back of the back doors. If you have a wagon you will also have a "D" pillar.
As far as I know (I'll have to check my AIM) Vette coupes have a steel fram inside the fibre glass both around the cowl/windscreen area and around the rear window frame with a piece going along the "T" piece to the windscreen from the front to rear, hence it would look like a birdcage if you took all the fribre glass off. That's why coupes shouldn't flex as much as roadsters (convertables) when they are lifted. The roadsters rely purely on the chassis for strength whereas the coupes have additional strength in the body.
I'd do the adjustments as recommended and see if they stay put. The bubbles you are talking about may be fibre glass cancer which is not difficult to fix if you get it soon enough.
in Forum: C3 Body
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