Will door shims fix this?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
huffhuff

huffhuff

Well-Known Member
Posts
768
Location
Home Counties
Hi guys,

These doors have never shut right (I know I know, it's a defender). I've buggered about with the striker plates and door rubbers but only just a bit better.

Will door/hinge shims fix this or is a length of 4x2 needed to help?

Ta

image.jpeg
 
looks almost like the hinges are not fitted right and the door is not hanging square to the body.

Is the front of the door square with the bulkhead?
 
Where's that vid of the last Fender coming off the line?

With all the cameras and dignitaries watching the chap fitting the drivers door tries it, opens it, grabs it top and bottom and gives it a massive twist.....

The door swings shut nicely :)
 
I've just put new doors on mine and the drivers door is just like that. I haven't mucked about with it yet. Your passenger side one looks low as the first bend down from window height doesn't match the bend in the seal. The drivers door protruding at the top corner might get corrected by a shim in the bottom hinge on the door pillar. That should lift the bottom right hand corner of the door out and pivot the diagonally opposite corner in over. The theory sounds great. ;)
 
huffhuff said:
Hi guys,

These doors have never shut right (I know I know, it's a defender). I've buggered about with the striker plates and door rubbers but only just a bit better.

Will door/hinge shims fix this or is a length of 4x2 needed to help?

Ta

View attachment 99777
Click to expand...
i often find side panel needs pulling out a little ,slacken the roof /side panel bolts and retighten one with panel pulled out usually takes a few attempts to get spot on
 
jamesmartin said:
i often find side panel needs pulling out a little ,slacken the roof /side panel bolts and retighten one with panel pulled out usually takes a few attempts to get spot on
Click to expand...
That sounds like a top tip, James. Bloody hell, I've fitted the roof lining back in! :eek: Not to worry, it can come out again. :)
 
It sounds very promising. It would explain why my door looks like a banana. I could probably move the body to fit. The back door is similar and so I'll probably be able to move the body there too. Cracking! :)
 
I don't know if it's right to revive an old thread, but did you ever solve this issue huffhuff? My Defender 90 doors look similar with some visible air/water gaps between the seals!
 
Last edited:
bluedog333 said:
Have you tried James’s tip and pulled the panel out from under the roof?
Click to expand...
Not yet bluedog but thanks for the assurance. In fact until reading this thread I had no idea there were so many ‘adjustment options’! There is no obvious sign that the roof/side panels have ever been disturbed, so I plan to progress through adjusting (1) strikers (2) hinges (3) a bit of judicious bending pressure(!) before trying anything more technical. I think it possible that the hinges have been replaced in the recent past.

I’ve already given the offside striker a tweak which has improved the seal and I‘m hoping I can get a tad more adjustment on it. Initially I only barely loosened the striker for fear of worsening the closure, but I’m guessing it just sits on some slightly elongated bolt holes? In my case the backing plate behind it also limits the overall movement, but such things are adaptable!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

dag019
Are all door latches equal?
Replies
2
Views
322
dag019
dag019
M
Difference between a Freelander 5 door and a 3 door
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
yfo866
yfo866
MacStu
Wolf style rim retrofit to 1983 110
2 3
Replies
50
Views
1K
miktdish
miktdish
A
Newbie Q’s - 1st Ever Series Land Rover
Replies
10
Views
975
ANK84
A
J
P38A p38 EAS - immediate drop of pressure
Replies
11
Views
604
Mark Piercy
Mark Piercy
Back
Top