Drivers door is off a 1/4 inch, what can I do to fix it?

[Jr's Sho]

I just bought a 1993 MTX and realized that the drivers side door is up too high about 1/4 inch, enough to where a car wash got the inside a little wet. It seems the gap is worse around the door handle side than the fender side but even there you can see the misaligned body panels. Anyone have any ideas on what I can do to get the door right, I don't know what going to happen when it rains? Thanks.

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

i would say you need to take it off the hinge if you can and see if the hinge is aligned properly. aside from that i dont know what else you could do. good luck, let us know what happens.

 

[Jr's Sho]

I know a little about cars but not anything about doors. Where can I align the door, do I loosen the two upper bolts? If someone can throw something at me I would appreciate it, I'm clueless about doors.

 

[jelloslug]

You have to loosen the hinge bolts at the body. Loosen the just enough to be able to adjust the door with some effort (or ever a soft hammer). If its just too far up, down, left, or right just push it in the correct direction. If it needs to come out at the top or bottom, tightin up the hinge that is correct and then adjust the door. If its missadjusted at the fender side, adjust the fender first, then install some shim between the door and hinge if you can't get the proper adjustment. If missadjusted at the lock side move the striker. Be very carfull when you shut the door the first time after you adjust it; you need to be sure that its not going to hit anything (like the fender edge). Putting some wood blocks under the door before you loosen the bolts might help you also. If its been in an accident you might need to take it to a body shop to have the hinge mounts "tweeked" a bit.