1962 How to adjust a door that has sagged down.

[Tamarack Bird]

To adjust a door up to align better for closing. Is it a simple matter to loosen the hinges and adjust it? The latch and striker do not look like they have much play available. Looking in a reprint shop manual, I don't see it covered.

[jopizz]

The door to pillar post hinges only give you in and out adjustment. You will have to remove the door panel and adjust the hinges where they bolt to the door. That allows you to better center the door in the opening. Remember the door is sagging because of worn hinge pins and/or hinges so you are trying to fix the symptom, not the cause.

John

61-3 door hinges.jpg

[Tamarack Bird]

Thanks again John, I think I should take a close look at the hinge pins if that is the proper way to fix the issue. the door falls almost 3/8in upon opening.

[simplyconnected]

I'd like to know why your doors are sagging. Is it really a hinge issue? Can you feel slop when you open the door and lift it up/down? Or, do you have rust issues, causing the floor to flex/sag? Partially lifting the car between the front/rear wheels will tell you.

[Tamarack Bird]

The car has no rust in the A-pillars and is in very good shape for a Michigan car. Both doors "ride up" when approaching the latched position. The drivers door will latch on secondary position but will not reach primary and has the largest drop upon opening. As mentioned above I can't find a lot of information on this in my reprinted shop manual. I Initially thought some Latch/striker adjustment might help but a worn pivot bushing after 63 yrs makes sense to me. That is a bigger job for later this winter as I am rebuilding the brakes right now and then want to get the carb adjusted correctly before it gets too cold.

[jopizz]

Having had all three generations of Thunderbirds the '61-'63 doors seem to be heavier than either the Squarebird or the Flairbird doors and as such are more prone to hinge wear. If the door is centered in the opening when you force it closed then I would not attempt to adjust the latch.

John

[Tamarack Bird]

Both doors are well centered so I will leave the latch alone. Thanks.

[simplyconnected]

Sintered oilite bronze bushing kits are available.

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[Tamarack Bird]

Ok, thanks for the info