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Topic: Sagging Doors

in Forum: C3 Body


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Sagging Doors (1/9)
 4/1/07 8:37am
persico
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Long Valley, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1972 454 Coupe, 4 speed, Targa Blue with blue interior, luggage rack 2019 Grand Sport Coupe, M7, Ceramic Matrix Gray with gray interior


Joined: 3/21/2007
Posts: 293

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.

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Mario

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Sagging Doors (2/9)
 4/1/07 1:43pm
daveb12
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KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1968 L-71 convertible


Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355

I'd at least start with hinge pins and bushings. Then adjust the door to fit.

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Sagging Doors (3/9)
 4/1/07 3:49pm
Chips58
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Australia

Vette(s):
71 Coupe Black on Black


Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535

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.
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Sagging Doors (4/9)
 4/2/07 6:00pm
persico
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Long Valley, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1972 454 Coupe, 4 speed, Targa Blue with blue interior, luggage rack 2019 Grand Sport Coupe, M7, Ceramic Matrix Gray with gray interior


Joined: 3/21/2007
Posts: 293

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!

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Mario

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Sagging Doors (5/9)
 4/3/07 1:20pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

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 )Thumbs%20Up Sweet.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
                             Click to see larger views!

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Sagging Doors (6/9)
 4/4/07 3:06am
daveb12
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KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1968 L-71 convertible


Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355

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!


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Sagging Doors (7/9)
 4/4/07 4:07am
OlrustysGhost
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Spotsylvania, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Silver Coupe


Joined: 1/20/2007
Posts: 293

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.
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Sagging Doors (8/9)
 4/10/07 11:34am
C32GO
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Edison, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1962 Convertible Ermine White ext.Red int. 1963 Coupe Sebring Silver ext. Black int. 1972 Convertible Warbonnet Yellow ext. Tan int. 1996 Grand Sport #936,Z51 suspension 2003 Coupe Z06 Silver ext. Black int.


Joined: 2/16/2007
Posts: 9

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 luckThumbs%20Up
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Sagging Doors (9/9)
 4/10/07 3:17pm
Chips58
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Australia

Vette(s):
71 Coupe Black on Black


Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535

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.
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