PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: John Turner on March 27, 2012, 07:39:56 PM

Title: Removing Car Doors
Post by: John Turner on March 27, 2012, 07:39:56 PM

I need to remove and then reinstall both doors on my 72 pinto wagon.  Are there any special precautions or procedures?  (Seems pretty straight forward but if there are alignment issues I need to be aware of please tell me.  Thanks everyone.  jt

Title: Re: Removing Car Doors
Post by: OhSix9 on March 27, 2012, 10:42:25 PM

Doors are a first class pain to rehang. if your hinge bushings are good and everything is well aligned and your fenders are off drill locater pin holes through all 4 mounting points. 2 on the body and 2 on the doors then you can  get everything bang on.   otherwise start with a 3/16ths or 1/4 inch thick strip of wood on the lower door jamb to set the bottom gap even and then work the back gap even.  have a spare set of hands available.   make sure your doors are dressed as the weight of windows and stuff effects how everything lines up.

OhSix'

Title: Re: Removing Car Doors
Post by: bbobcat75 on March 28, 2012, 01:01:49 PM

you definatly want an extra hand or a door jack, these things weight a ton, look at the car, they are half of it, and it will take a little efffot to aline and get good gaps, but the time is worth it!!!
 

Title: Re: Removing Car Doors
Post by: 71HANTO on March 28, 2012, 03:03:10 PM

I drew around the hinges with a magic marker so I could line them back up when I put them back on. An extra pair of hands is a must to keep the frustration level down (not to mention chipped paint). The 72 doors are much lighter than the later doors with the crash bars but you still need help.
 
71HANTO

Title: Re: Removing Car Doors
Post by: Pintopower on April 26, 2012, 03:06:24 PM

You will also have to tap all the holes on the door before you install them. The original door bolts are crimped in place which renders them un-usable after they have been removed. They also damage the door threads. New bolts, thread lock and a tap will make the job easy.

Title: Re: Removing Car Doors
Post by: popbumper on April 27, 2012, 01:09:38 PM

I concur with both notes regarding weight of doors (surprisingly heavy) as well as the need for a second set of hands. When mine were reinstalled, we used a towel at the lower edge, set the bolts to medium tightness, and used a jack for upward/downward motion for alignment. Mine were particularly tricky because I removed the hinges completely from the door and the body to get them cleanly repainted, and rust removed from beneath. With all the guidance here you should be in fine shape.

Chris