Fitting a new door - any advice welcome

[martyjmcfly 0]

I'm replacing the drivers side door on my C as it has been anoying me for an age. Previous accident damage from previous owners and bodge job repair. The door has the ripple effect and looks a different shade to the front and rear panels.

 

So i searched for a door in good condition - Cheers 'mark 2 gti' - which Tornado Red. I stripped what was remaining (not much) such as top part rubbers, central locking etc and took it to my friendly coachworks and had it sprayed to suit - they did a top job really impressed 'Culbourne Coachworks' in Ashvale Surrey shout out.

 

I think i'll be fine matching wires/connectors up etc its just the window bit. When i bought the door the window was sold and so its bits that fix the mechanism to the door were drilled out (original holes still original size). What do i use to re-fix etc.

 

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

Martin

[Henny 0]

pop-rivets mate... that's what they were held in with from the factory... ;)

[martyjmcfly 0]

So that would mean aquiring riveter and rivets. Would B and Q sell such a tool and the rivets or is it specialist tool shop?

[Supercharged 2]

Halfords dude...

[martyjmcfly 0]

Well blow me apple cart over. Halfords are really starting to impress me lately with what they sell.

[Henny 0]

yup, I've got a Halfords one and it's pretty good... 8)

[martyjmcfly 0]

If all goes well i'll post a picture just to show my handy work (a picture of my C with a door attached). Nice

[martyjmcfly 0]

New door fitted and well pleased. It took Saturday, Sunday and Monday to complete.

 

It was a most satisfying job I must say and with a great result at the end.

 

Everything swapped over was cleaned and re-greased where necessary (side impact bars and window mechanism etc).

 

Halfords riveter worked a treat.

 

The level of work put into it far outweighs what a coachworks would have done but they work to time limits and that is where it all goes wrong

 

And here are some photos as proof. (Please note the car has not been cleaned and as such looks not that impressive)

[dcuk 0]

Nice job! looks neat.

 

Just a quick question..how did u get it to line up nice and flush?

 

Both my doors are way out on the door handle side.

[martyjmcfly 0]

Any adjustments as far as i'm aware are via adjusting the striker bolt i.e what the locking mechanism on the door catches on. You need to loosen the striker bolt just like undoing a bolt. I used the extra long driver that i use for the spark plugs. If your doors stick out then the bolt needs to be moved inwards slightly. Once happy fully tighten and hey presto!

[dcuk 0]

Cheers!

 

Il give it a go, always thought it'd be a much bigger job via the hinge bolts.

[dcuk 0]

Adjusted the striker bolts today.. and RESULT!! Doors are perfect now, well pleased! Only took 5 mins each side.

 

Sometimes you overlook the the most obvious solutions, ive been stressing over sortin the doors ever since i bought the car, worrying about udoiing them from the hinges!!

 

Nice when it ends up being something really simple! :D Cheers Marty!

 

Anyone know how much the little bits of plastic that go around the bolt are, mine are missing.

[dinkus 10]

You can't buy them separately, you have to buy a whole new striker pin.

 

The good thing is, they're about £6 each :)

[dcuk 0]

£6 a piece doesnt sound too bad! :)

 

Cheers!

[dinkus 10]

Well that's what I paid for 'em...doesn't mean everyone gets them that cheap tho :lol:

 

They're generic parts though, so shouldn't be too horrific.

[Supercharged 2]

Yeah, new VAG striker's for me too - the chrome ones I bought from GPC last year have gone rusty (not impressed!)

 

I've also had a go at heatshrinking onto the striker pins to fix them which appears to have worked nicely but it's too soon to say if they will last or not...

[dcuk 0]

What are the plastic bits really for, and do they make a big difference?

 

Im assuming theyl make the door easier to shut and require less force?

[davidwort 0]

£6 a piece doesnt sound too bad! :)

 

Cheers!

 

old passat rear door ones are often hardly worn out, same bit, 357 837 034

[martyjmcfly 0]

When the doors line up correctly and you get that clean line as was intended the day the car was born it feels damn good! :D Pleased to be of service dcuk

 

All i need to get sorted now are the cv boots and tappets then i can start to appreciate the car once again by giving it some. Have it!!! he he he

 

Friday's here people have a damn nice weekend!!! (still chuffed with my new door)

[dinkus 10]

What are the plastic bits really for, and do they make a big difference?

 

Im assuming theyl make the door easier to shut and require less force?

 

Stops the door closing with a 'clang' and allows the mech to slide easier over the pin, thus putting less stress on the beloved door handle.