Drivers door needs adjusted, hangs low
 

Hey everyone. I haven't messed with anything yet cause i figured the forums may save me a bit of time. My driverside door (2002 a6) is hanging a bit low. It still opens and shuts, but it hits the U bar that the door latches onto, then raises up a bit as the door slides over the U to latch onto it. (That make sense?) I assume this can be adjusted at the hinges since they are bolt-ons, so is there a particular area that is used fo adjustments (e.g. top hinge - chassis side bolts, loosen, lift, tighten) or is this more a "your gonna need to adjust the one thats off" scenerio. If nothing else, i'll just mess with it till is shuts nicely, but i hate doing a 2 hour job then noticing it should only take 10 minutes :)

RE: Drivers door needs adjusted, hangs low
 

look at condition of door pin on bottom hinge, if paint chipped away or look manked replace it. i had same prob on my car

RE: Drivers door needs adjusted, hangs low
 

Ok, when i open and close the door, that pin's head appears to wobble a bit off center (looks like it is bent). Do i just pop it out from the bottom like a normal houshold door hinge? I want to get a good look at it b4 ordering a new one.

RE: Drivers door needs adjusted, hangs low
 

Removing and installing door hinges









Upper door hinge



1-
Hexagon bolt - 30 Nm



2-
Upper door hinge



3-
T45 Torx bolt - 30 Nm



4-
Hexagon bolt (fitted from inside of vehicle) - 30 Nm



5-
Stud bolt 23 Nm



6-
Cap for stud bolt -5-









Lower door hinge



1-
Lower door hinge



2-
Hexagon bolt - 30 Nm



3-
Front door



4-
Hexagon bolt - 30 Nm



5-
Torx bolt - 30 Nm

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RE: Drivers door needs adjusted, hangs low
 

Adjusting front door
Note[/align]


The rear door shell must be adjusted if this has not already been done.









Joint dimensions
Note[/align]


Joint dimensions can be checked using adjustment gauge -3371-.



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Dimension -A- = 3 mm + 1 mm



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Dimension -B- = 4.5 mm ± 0.5 mm



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Dimension -C- = 3.5 mm ± 0.5 mm









Longitudinal adjustment



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Slacken off hinge bolts -arrows A- at A-pillar at upper or/and lower door hinge -1- and adjust position of door -2- (oversize holes in hinge or in A-pillar -3-).



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Tightening torque 30 Nm
Note[/align]


Fig. shows lower door hinge.









Adjustment with respect to body contour



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Slacken off hinge bolts -arrows B- at top or/and bottom of door and adjust position of door (elongated holes in hinge).



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Tightening torque 30 Nm
Note[/align]


Adjustment for rear door area is to be made by way of striker plate (towards centre of vehicle).









Adjustment by way of striker plate



–
Slacken off bolts -2-.



–
Move striker plate -1- until door shell is flush with body contour.



–
Tighten bolts.



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Tightening torque 20 Nm
Note[/align]


Adjust only with respect to centre of vehicle; do not adjust height.









Adjusting door subframe



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The sealing lip -2- must follow the contour at the A-pillar and roof frame -arrow-.



–
Start by making height adjustment at door subframe.



–
Once height adjustment is correct, slacken off lower bolts for securing door subframe and press subframe towards centre of vehicle.



–
The process involves forcing the subframe -1- slightly towards the centre of the vehicle (rubber seal exerts restoring force).



–
Insert adjustment wedge accordingly at B-pillar.



–
Tighten bolts at bottom to 30 Nm.



3-
Door window
Note[/align]


Use an improvised gauge to check correct setting









Making improvised gauge



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Use plastic or plywood, for example, to make improvised gauge to the specified dimensions.



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Dimension -a- = 3.7 mm



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Dimension -b- = 28.2 mm



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Given correct adjustment of the door subframe, the gauge must make contact with both the door window and the roof trim strip approx. 100 mm away from the B-pillar.

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RE: Drivers door needs adjusted, hangs low
 

Thanks for the reply, but now im really confused. :o) I see how that adjusts the closeness of the door to the frame and such, but it's like mine hangs low. it is aligned fine with the fender and rear door when shut, but when i open it, it droops down a bit. Sometimes it is even hard to open. Well, if those are the instructions i need, i'll take it to the dealer because i don't understand how that will work. I think it might be that lower pin though. And if anyone can tell me how to remove that pin off the top of their head so i can inspect it, i'd appreciate it. I'm gonna go tinker in the mean time.

Thanks again!

RE: Drivers door needs adjusted, hangs low
 

ok, i called the dealer, and they told me to go to a body shop without even looking at it. :(

Here's some pics of my door. it is open, but resting shut (not closed onto the latch). in the last picture, that's the front lower gap (closest to the wheel) and when measured and compared to the passenger side, this gap is about 2mm short. Please, if you know how to fix this, let me know. I'm thinking about adding a spacer between the door and the hinge, but i don't want to 'rig' it :( Thanks again

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