Door Sag
06-15-2011, 09:07 AM
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Door Sag I've got an '02 Camaro with a sagging driver side door. I don't do much in the way of body work so I'm not to sure how to fix the problem. I've attempted multiple searches, but didn't come up with much that was specific to my vehicle. Common sense tells me to just shim the door or change out the hinges, but I'm not looking for a temp fix and I don't want to shell out that kind of money. Does anybody know of any alternatives?
-Rob
-Rob
06-16-2011, 08:42 AM
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I haven't been able to source a hinge kit from anywhere, not even just a bushings kit. Anybody else been found a successful fix for their door sag? I've also heard of shimming the hinges, but to me it seems like that would scar the paint and would still allow further damage to be done to the hinges in the long run...
Somebody with hands on experience please chime in.
Somebody with hands on experience please chime in.
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06-16-2011, 08:59 AM
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I haven't been able to source a hinge kit from anywhere, not even just a bushings kit. Anybody else been found a successful fix for their door sag? I've also heard of shimming the hinges, but to me it seems like that would scar the paint and would still allow further damage to be done to the hinges in the long run...
Somebody with hands on experience please chime in.
Somebody with hands on experience please chime in.
Get new hinges. Easiest way to do it frankly. Don't shim it, you don't really solve the problem.
06-16-2011, 05:54 PM
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06-16-2011, 06:41 PM
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-Rob
06-16-2011, 07:40 PM
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I've checked with SDPC & Year one... No luck.
I called steve @ hawks and he guaranteed if ordered a use one it would be in good working order to keep the door from sagging.
I'm in the same boat as you.
I called steve @ hawks and he guaranteed if ordered a use one it would be in good working order to keep the door from sagging.
I'm in the same boat as you.
06-17-2011, 02:39 AM
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It ain't the door hinges, its the fiberglass on the door in the hinge area flexing from the weight of the door. Fatigue. I too suspected hinges but nope, that wasn't it. Hinges may contribute some on some cars but I suspect the fiberglass as the main culprit.
06-17-2011, 09:07 AM
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I know our doors are composite or fiberglass etc, so it's not exactly the same, but I'll tell you this. I've learned from hanging around body shops for a few years and visiting auto plants that sometimes it has nothing to do with fatigue, or bushings or any of that. Sometimes you just need to overcome the issue with brute force. Now this could be very tough on a non-metal door skin. Here is what I've witnessed. I've seen in most cases you can throw a floor jack under the door with the door open, jack it up slightly just till car starts to raise, then check alignment etc. Now, again, if you have worn bushings etc, I recommend you fix those issues. This is a last resort. Other things I've seen is if the top of the door frame around window doesn't fit nice and tight to body, they will literally just bend the frame with a little push etc. These are factory techniques for brand new vehicles. Just throwing this out there.
06-18-2011, 10:14 PM
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Won't work on fiberglass doors. When you lift on the door you can see the actual hinge area flex first while the hinge is solid as a rock. The door must be removed, disassembled, glassed on the inside for reinforcement, and then re-installed.
06-20-2011, 10:10 AM
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Thanks for the input guys, very informative. I don't think I'm going to go with the jack method because I don't want to escalate the problem. To me it didn't seem like there was anything wrong with the hinges, but every single search I've done regarding door sag references either the hinges or the bushings needing replaced. Based on what I've seen, it very well may be the fiberglass it's self. Although I've never heard of this before, the fiberglass does flex like hell when I lift the door up and down. I'm not sure if that's because of me or if it actually is worn out. Sounds like I may need to take it to a shop. Anybody have a general idea of what I should be expecting to pay?
