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wingman
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2006
Posts: 129
Location: Norcal
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 Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:05 pm Post subject: Front door gap differences |
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Hi,
I noticed my 2 front doors have different gaps today. I measured the distance b/w A and B pillars and found there is about a quarter inch difference. Is it normal or maybe my van has body repair done before?
Thanks,
Michael
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: Front door gap differences |
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On my B Pillar I've got 3/8th inch on each front door. the hinge adjustment is annoying because haven't gotten a good adjustment out of the passenger side yet and the latch hits the striker as it shuts. I do have the "lift bar" for adjusting the doors too.
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wingman
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2006
Posts: 129
Location: Norcal
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:47 am Post subject: Re: Front door gap differences |
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I was going to do hinge adjustment when I found the driver side gap is narrower than the passenger side. However the gaps are pretty even around both doors so I measured the width b/w A and B pillar for both sides and found driver side width is a 1/4" narrower than passenger side. Now this is the first time I compare this in any cars so I wonder whether it's consider normal.
Thanks,
Michael
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:11 am Post subject: Re: Front door gap differences |
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This tool goes into the door lock to give you leverage to adjust a door, but 30 bucks for one time use is a bit much!
https://www.amazon.com/Steck-Manufacturing-21845-S...amp;sr=8-4
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DuncanS
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Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:13 am Post subject: Re: Front door gap differences |
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| My PS door rubbed on the sill at the back edge until I shimmed the lower hinge and jacked it up. Not a gap resolution, but a method for adjustment not otherwise provided. |
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wingman
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2006
Posts: 129
Location: Norcal
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Front door gap differences |
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Thanks all for the suggestions. My door gaps are good, evenly across the edges with no rubbing. My question is about the gap difference b/w driver and passenger side.
@dobryan, thanks for the measurement. I measured at the level of body side molding where the difference is most visible. I'll measure again at the door handle.
Michael
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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wingman
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2006
Posts: 129
Location: Norcal
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Front door gap differences |
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Heh, fair point  . I don't really care either. Just out of curiosity I'd like to learn whether it came from factory like this or the result of some unforeseen events.
Michael
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dgbeatty
Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2006
Posts: 702
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:47 pm Post subject: Re: Front door gap differences |
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A subject near if not dear to my heart. As a younger me while working in quality control at MB they issued nylon body gap gages, think of them as feeler gauges for the body. Although well worn I still have them plus a newer set with wider blades.
When our vans were built VW had somewhat generous tolerances for the body openings. Short of partial disassembly and rewelding they are what they are, which is pretty darn good.
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wingman
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2006
Posts: 129
Location: Norcal
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 10:17 am Post subject: Re: Front door gap differences |
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Yeah, it's only 0.5% difference and I have no complaints 
Michael
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