General Doors buckling when closing

[The Whitakers]

Is it the norm for my doors to buckle as a close them?


Basically when a shut them the handle buckles/flex's the door skin in and it pops back out straight away. doesn't damage the skin but it isn't doing the paintwork any good.....


TIA

 

[Vitesse]

Well I have never experienced on my car and there was a time when one of the doors needed adjusting and I had to really slam it to close it and it didn’t do it.

Are they original doors or is there a chance they have been replaced with pattern parts? As that is the only reason I could think, of as to why they flex like that.

Tony

 

[The Whitakers]

I have no clue if they are original or not to be honest, it may be I need to adjust them so they close easier

 

[the hobbler]

When I had the initial paint rectification done on my 500, the old doors were so knackered that we had to replace them, with of course, 'pattern' doors. The replacement doors were of a thinner gauge than the originals and were a bugger to fettle---took me the better part of a day to build up EACH door! I have noticed that if I shut the doors firmly, than a dent will appear in the door just ahead of the handle. The trick is to push the door shut on the rear section of the door frame, which, due to its shape is much stronger. From what you have experienced, I would put money on it that you have 'pattern' doors on your 500.

 

[Franko500]

I have 2 new doors - no problems here!
Possibly the door seals have been changed to a later thicker profile which cause them to bounce when shut.
If this is the case, over slamming the door by the handle will eventually cause an indentation around the area that the handle is fitted. Once this has occurred the door skin has lost its strength and will buckle/flex for ever more.
Sort the closing of the door out first by adjustment or change the seal.
Once this has been completed you could have the door skin repaired to remove the flexing but this would involve repainting.

 

[Antgiu]

Have you tried closing the door without the door seal in place?
When we got ours the doors would not shut properly becasue the door seal was too big in section. The doors had to br forced hard to close.
We have now fitted a smaller section on and the situation is much better

 

[RDS]

same flexing situation with my doors and I hate slamming them.

Mention is made of lower pofile seals but where from? The suppliers do not differentiate and when they arrive it is too late!

Please can someone post a link to the slimmer door seals?

Many thanks

RDS

 

[BambinoClassic]

Arent they just generic pinch weld seals?
In which case they’re available from auto stores or even on eBay at varying size and shape rubbers

 

[RDS]

Possibly yes but has anyone got a link to low profile ones that actually do the job and keep water out.

 

[Franko500]

Trouble is most of the suppliers can change their suppliers at any time.
I bought 2 lengths from Ricambio Croydon when I was first restoring my car.
It was only when I got them home that I found one had a smooth texture and the other was smooth. I ended up buying 2 more.
One was definitely a better fit than the other.
It might be a case of trial and error.
you could try Van der Laan, Fiat500126.com or Passione500
or alternatively a different supplier try https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/product/1286/door-seal

 

[BambinoClassic]

I guess another issue that I've found is that the door fit isn't necessarily even all the way around.
So while you may need 4-7mm at the bottom, it could be 11-15mm at the top, or vice versa


Some rubber suppliers here in aus have samples of their pinch weld seals and you can pop them on and see what fit you need. Not sure what's available in the UK though


I bought something similar to this one
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UNIVERSAL-DOOR-SEAL-DOOR-TRIM-PINCH-WELD-PINCHWELD-CAR-VAN-CARAVAN-RUBBER-Black/401487852453?hash=item5d7a8a73a5:g:dTEAAOSwpDdVE~Iz


Although alternatives exist
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DOOR-TRIM-PINCH-WELD-PINCHWELD-CAR-VAN-CARAVAN-TOOLBOX-BOOT-TRUCK-RUBBER-SEAL-S/122029060446?epid=523633084&hash=item1c697fb15e:g:GvUAAOSwBLlVQzVo


To be honest they are quite cheap so it's possible to buy a few of each and see what you prefer

 

[Franko500]

Have you tried opening the sunroof or a window?


Sounds stupid but my doors shut perfect with the sunroof open.
But if the windows are closed and the sunroof shut then I have to use very firm pressure when closing the door otherwise a light close will cause the door to bounce.
Basically by closing the door you are forcing a larger volume of air into the car and there is no where for it to go.

 

[1500500]

same flexing situation with my doors and I hate slamming them.

Mention is made of lower pofile seals but where from? The suppliers do not differentiate and when they arrive it is too late!

Please can someone post a link to the slimmer door seals?

Many thanks

RDS

I bought the Axel Gerstl thinner than original seals. When trial fitting my doors before painting they seemed to let the doors shut without too much pressure

https://webshop.fiat500126.com/en/r...trip-_thinner-than-the-original_-length-330-m

 

[fiat500]

I can't remember what the inside of the 500 door looks like exactly but the similar arrangement on my van includes a reinforcing piece which lines the inside of the doorskin around the handle.
The other thing, ( which i the have mentioned before), is that on my 500, the main original seal still fitted, ends at each side of the aluminium tread plate to be replaced with a non-self gripping, much softer foam seal at the base of the door aperture.

 

[RDS]

thanks for the link 1500500! i am hoping that the words "thinner than original" in the item listing do the trick. Must be one 3m length per door then?

 

[Bettegacci]

Can doors be adjusted? If anyone has any tips I’d love to hear them as my doors could use a tweek.

 

[gordinir8]

I bought the Axel Gerstl thinner than original seals. When trial fitting my doors before painting they seemed to let the doors shut without too much pressure

https://webshop.fiat500126.com/en/r...trip-_thinner-than-the-original_-length-330-m

I have the same problem with my door seals and i have to slam them each time .Door without seals close perfectly. Can you take a measurement from your Axel's thin seal iaw the drawing i am attaching and give us the dimension A, B, C, D and Ε? so we can compare with what we have?
Thomas

 

[1500500]

I have the same problem with my door seals and i have to slam them each time .Door without seals close perfectly. Can you take a measurement from your Axel's thin seal iaw the drawing i am attaching and give us the dimension A, B, C, D and Ε? so we can compare with what we have?
Thomas

Here you go

A. 15mm
B. 10mm
C. 5 mm
D. 10 mm
E. 10mm

Cheers

Geoff

 

[gordinir8]

Thank you very much although i think dimension D my mistake in the drawing:bang:. Most important dimensions are C and E. Now if C is only 5mm that is indeed smaller than the one i have now. Thank you very much, i might order a set to see how it will fit.
Thomas

 

[1500500]

Thank you very much although i think dimension D my mistake in the drawing:bang:. Most important dimensions are C and E. Now if C is only 5mm that is indeed smaller than the one i have now. Thank you very much, i might order a set to see how it will fit.
Thomas

Oh

I’m sorry Just realised I mixed up c and d as I measured each part as I went around the seal

Cheers