neilnaz Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Hi chaps I was after a little advice. As you know I have recently resprayed my car and coincidentally I have never been happy about the door gaps. The door gaps have always been too small at the B-post and the door and B-post have scraped a little. After having repainted the car and remounted the doors the problem is slightly worse probably due to the extra paint thickness.I am going to have a go at moving the doors forward a few mm probably about 5 mm. There is no further forward adjustment available. What I wanted to confirm was - if I enlarge the holes in the A-post (see attached diagram courtesy of Rimmers) where the door hinges mount I should be able to move the doors forward by the required amount.http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/spitfire/images/146b.gifDoes that sound right? The metal threaded hinge blocks that the bolts screw into are free to move so there isn't anything preventing me from doing this is there? The only issue I can see is moving the doors too far forward might see the doors rub on the bonnet when opening.Any advice welcome.Regards, Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I would drill out the hinges and use thick washers. Easier to do, and not sure how much movement is available for the tapped plate. Must be very tight for paint thickness to affect the opening!Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky_spit Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I had to do similar on mine too. The only problem I found was that if you go too far, the webs on the right-angled door hinges start to foul on the A post corner. These webs can be ground back a little bit to give more clearance, but don't grind off too much or they look odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilnaz Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thanks for the replies.Caution noted. I will see which is easier. Drilling the hinge seems an easier option as you say Cliftyhanger. I must say I hadn't even thought of that! ::) :-/Thanks again, Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky_spit Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 My reply referred to enlarging the holes in the A post to get more forward movement. I must be a bit thick here..... I can't visualise what drilling the hinges will do? How will that, and adding thick washers move the door towards the front a bit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilnaz Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 Sparky I had to think about it for a while but here is the explanation that worked for me:The hole in the A-post is of a certain size to enable movement of the plate behind with threaded holes and hence position of the hinge and door.If the holes are enlarged the plate/hinge/door can be moved more.However if the holes in the hinge are enlarged then the holes in the A-post and threaded plate can remain the same and the extra adjustment comes from the enlarged holes in the hinge plate. The large(r) washers are to enable secure mounting/fixing of the hinge in the forward adjusted position.I need around 3-4mm of forward movement to have gaps that would mean that there is no contact and hence no scraping of paint.I will see which is the best option. Enlarging the holes in the hinges would mean I didn't have to remove the doors as I could remove each bolt in turn and drill with suitable drill bit and then refit bolt with added larger washer and tighten. Once they are all drilled I should be able to loosen the bolts and ease the door forward by 3-4mm and adjust to get a good position.Anyway I will see what works for me.Cheers, Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky_spit Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Ahh!! I see it now. If you are sure you don't need any additional up or down movement, you could just elongate the hinge holes rearwards. This would give you more fore and aft movement without further up and down. Do check the hinge web to A post clearance though, as this might still limit you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisspe Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 triumph hinges are pretty meaty though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisspe Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 neglect that, you wouldnt have to oval the holes would you, just enlarge them, dont drill into the block! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilnaz Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Yes I will elongate the holes in the hinges rearwards and not go through to damage the threaded block behind. I only need a few mm so cannot see that there will be any issues with clearance.Thanks for the replies.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilnaz Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 Well I had a go at the weekend and the theory worked but I didn't have a large enough drill bit. My noddy drill came with a standardish drill bit set that only goes up to 9mm or so. I had a go and both doors have been moved forward by 1-2mm so are not catching the B-posts. I went out and bought a 13mm drill bit to find another 2mm so I actually have visible door gaps!The door gaps ahve always been very tight/non-existant since I have had the car and the paintwork has been scratched and worn due to the rubbing. Now I have resprayed the car this has obviously kicked me into sorting it out!I'll see if I can take a photo of the end result.Cheers, Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parkesie Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 use a round file and use that to elongate the hole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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