Thread: Badly fitting doors

Badly fitting doors? On a defender? I dont believe you Thats normal! Only badly fitting if it was only yours!!
Given that the cabs are all hand assembled with bolts in slotted holes there is any number of places you may have to adjust. There is minimal movement in the door boltings, The only real amount is on the A pillar. It really is a hit and miss thing and each vehicle is different so how I fixed mine is unlikely to apply to yours!

Cheers Scott

Issues with door gaps are usually addressed by distraction. By means of bigger / worse gaps elsewhere, leaks, noises etc.

The adjustment is only on the firewall. However make sure you are getting full movement from the captive plates that the hinge bolts to.

If that is not enough, you would have to machine the hinges for further adjustment. You could drill out the bolt tubes on the door slightly, but that wouldn't give you much.

There are washers on the firewall bolts that help, and also the steering column, but you realistically adjust that much with it all together.



Try hanging something on the door overnight or propping it a little. Don't go crazy, just convince the door to make the necessary adjustments.

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like it is all quite normal, I notice the striker plate is quite worn so will try replacing that, hopefully that will help hold the door almost in the well better and reduce the big draughts.

I have a last resort, as a Fire Fighter I have access to some good rams and spreaders, I'll just stretch the car a bit.!

Cheers
Phil

Originally Posted by philandmickey

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like it is all quite normal, I notice the striker plate is quite worn so will try replacing that, hopefully that will help hold the door almost in the well better and reduce the big draughts.

I have a last resort, as a Fire Fighter I have access to some good rams and spreaders, I'll just stretch the car a bit.!

Cheers
Phil

Not sure what you mean about "in the well"?
Make sure the door is not sagging due to worn hinge pins. This is quite common. Replacement hinges from the UK cost almost nothing.

Hi
By the well I mean the resessed hole for the door, currently the back edge of the door sits on the outside of the B pillar.
There is a bit of movement in the hinge, so I'll get a new set along with a striker and see if that helps.

Cheers
Phil