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How the hell do you align doors
Camo - September 6th, 2008 at 06:04 PM

Building my 61 Beetle and want advise on aligning the doors. I cant see how sliding a hinge in or out at the front will alter the back edge of the door when in the closed position (hope that makes sense). In other words to get a square edge between door and 'B' pillar.

Do you actually have to heat and bend the 1/4 inch plates of the hinge itself.

I understand the door striker sets the height at the rear of the door so the body crease lines up. But is the door meant to lift a 1/4 inch + at the rear when it sits into the striker. The door drops when you actually open it, is this normal.

I'm stuffed if I can work it out. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Kevin


VWCOOL - September 6th, 2008 at 06:42 PM

Something is bent and will need to be straightened.. The door should have 'even' gaps to the body all around it and teh door should 'swing' nicely on its hinges; the striker plate shouldn't be doing much 'work'. The hinges do get bent when doors are opened too far - usually when they fly open around corners; the A pillars flex and bend too


Craig Torrens - September 6th, 2008 at 06:42 PM

is there wear in the hinge pins ?

Can you move the door up and down when its open ?


Camo - September 6th, 2008 at 06:59 PM

Thanks VWCOOL and I have just had 4 oversized pins fitted at Vintage Veedubs.