ok this is going to sound really stupid but the last few weeks my door doesn't shut properly, I thought it was me being to gentle at first, but its happening all the time now, and I never had this problem before. I'm due for my first service soon, should I mention it? I feel silly.
Someone please tell me I am not alone!

Never had this personally but if it's new and under warranty mention it. Loud and early. You paid a fortune for the car, make sure its right

On my 6-year-old Punto, I had to adjust the door strikers a few times before I was happy with it, so I don't think it's unusual for an adjustment to be required. It's actually quite simple to do with a Torx T40 bit, mounted in a socket and used with a breaker bar for extra leverage.

Even if the door is fitting properly, it might still be quite hard to close because of the air pressure in the car (!) - try opening the tailgate as a test. Bizarrely I imagine it might make a small difference if the air conditioning is set to 'fresh' rather than 'recirculate', as when on 'fresh' there will be a path for some of the air to get out of the car when you close the door.

-Alex

Surely the any differential in air pressure will equalize when the door is open? Would look at three things myself. The most common problem is the catch on the door post has moved and needs adjusting. The doors catch needs lubricating or the door itself has dropped because its been lent on too hard or the hinge plates have moved.

Dcthebear said:

Surely the any differential in air pressure will equalize when the door is open?

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I mean when you close the door, there's an increase in air pressure inside the car and that works against you. If you leave the tailgate unlatched and then open and close a door, you'll see it jump slightly.

Would look at three things myself. The most common problem is the catch on the door post has moved and needs adjusting. The doors catch needs lubricating or the door itself has dropped because its been lent on too hard or the hinge plates have moved.

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Yes, I agree with those three.

-Alex

Always make sure it is working properly, you don't want the door catch opening when your driving.

I saw a policeman fall out of a car once going round a bend as the door wasn't fully closed and he didn't have his seatbelt on.

alexGS said:

Even if the door is fitting properly, it might still be quite hard to close because of the air pressure in the car (!) - try opening the tailgate as a test. Bizarrely I imagine it might make a small difference if the air conditioning is set to 'fresh' rather than 'recirculate', as when on 'fresh' there will be a path for some of the air to get out of the car when you close the door.

-Alex

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One of my family, quite a few years ago, had a Vauxhall Tigra and had difficulty closing the door due to air pressure. So much so the windscreen popped out. Manufacturer finally resolved this with a mod. by making the passenger door window open slightly when ignition turned off, then when doors closed the window reverted to fully closed.

Maybe the OP has Maxi's head stuck in the door (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels style)?

I'm glad someone else is backing me up on this one, because I'm sure the air-pressure effect is more of a problem in a small 3-dr car with large doors I'm surprised it reduced someone to tears, though.

On a similar note I remember FIAT putting deliberate holes in the weatherstrips on 128s, I think the Uno had holes as well, I haven't looked at the 500's yet but you wouldn't want an air-filled cushion right around the door edge - the door would just bounce off it.

Anyway, by now the catch striker could have been adjusted and the problem solved

-Alex

alexGS said:

I'm glad someone else is backing me up on this one, because I'm sure the air-pressure effect is more of a problem in a small 3-dr car with large door...

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Actually used to get this problem in my old Isuzu Trooper (which had about the same internal space as a small aircraft hangar...).

Because of it, passengers always felt they had to slam the doors (too) hard... -- which really hurt your ears, if (i) you were still sat inside; or (ii) already had another door open...!

Speaking of that my door handle felt hard to open on the passenger side so i went to the dealer and they said no problem and just oiled it.

Reviving this thread as I have just fitted a new passenger door today but it doesn't shut as it seems to be slightly too high at the lock end. Is there a way of adjusting the sit of the door? Can you adjust the front and rear of the door independently like you would if you were fitting a wooden door?

I didn't have a clue how to even remove the door, but I've managed to do it today but can't close it as it is catching when you push it to the closed position.

Any ideas anyone.

Remove the door latch post so the door doesn't lock, now close the door to check the fit with respect to the opening loosen the bolts and see what adjustment you can manage, then replace the latch and check it latches and locks?

John202020 said:

Remove the door latch post so the door doesn't lock, now close the door to check the fit with respect to the opening loosen the bolts and see what adjustment you can manage, then replace the latch and check it latches and locks?

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Cheers. Just downloaded elearn and although it doesn't say remove the striker plate, it does say loosen the bolts on the body side of the hinge and adjust up and down and left to right. Will give it a go on Monday.