General Adjusting front door

[javax05]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to adjust the front door on my Fiat 500 2011. because it doesn’t align perfectly, creating a noticeable gap between the door and the black trim on the pillar.

I noticed that one of the hinges can be adjusted, but the other bolt is tightened from the inside, and accessing it would require removing the entire dashboard, which is not a practical option for me.

So, I’m wondering:
- Is there any other way to adjust the door besides the hinges?
- Can anything be done by adjusting the door latch or in another way?

If anyone has had a similar issue, I’d appreciate any advice.
Thanks in advance.

 

[jrkitching]

Hello and welcome to the forum

Is there any other way to adjust the door besides the hinges

It's possible to bend the upper frame by hand; not for the feint hearted and you could easily make things worse rather than better. But looking at the pictures, I don't think that's going to help you.

Do you know anything about the car's prior accident history? Once again, from looking at the pictures, I'd say it's had some sort of an issue in the past.

Give serious consideration to taking this to a small independent bodyshop; they will likely be able to work out why it doesn't fit quite right, and what can be done about it. They deal with exactly this sort of thing every day.

 

[steveras57]

Best advice i ever got from an old seasoned mechanic was- "If you dont know what your doing then dont F**King do it!!!- you'll make it worse and it will then cost twice as much to put right!- sound advice!

 

[John202020]

On the first pic there's white in front of the hinge possibly indicating its too far back?

 

[jrkitching]

On the first pic there's white in front of the hinge possibly indicating its too far back?

Yes, I noticed that too. It's why I asked about the car's history.

Someone has likely messed with this at some point since it left the factory

 

[John202020]

What's the chance the door, when open, has been pulled/pushed downwards that would cause the gap? What's the alignment like along the bottom of the door when closed?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Yes, I noticed that too. It's why I asked about the car's history.

Someone has likely messed with this at some point since it left the factory

The hinges are normally body colour but the bolts not painted. I think the light colour is primer over spray from a repair, and not being fully covered in the painting. Could be spray polish though / cutting compund from post spray polishing. I have tried on a few occasions to lift doors, but its a bit of an art. The advice to ask a bodyshop is sound.

 

[z rider]

Seems the door is hanging down at the rear. I would loosen the bolt visible and try to lift the door at the rear. If it doesn't move you have to loosen the inner bolt too. It's allways helpfull to see the complete door to find out what has happened to the car.

 

[The Panda Nut]

A large flat block of wood under the bottom of the door and a hydraulic jack. Make suer the window is wound down. Ive seen body work people just get hold of the entire door and lift it bending it just enough to realign. If you do realign the door the lock and catch would need carefully readjusting afterwards or it will not close (or open) properly

 

[steveras57]

A large flat block of wood under the bottom of the door and a hydraulic jack. Make suer the window is wound down. Ive seen body work people just get hold of the entire door and lift it bending it just enough to realign. If you do realign the door the lock and catch would need carefully readjusting afterwards or it will not close (or open) properly

key word here is CAREFULLY ive spent many an happy hour buggering about with door/lock alignments!