Door sag... how to safely fix it????

[emeeder]

Hey guys... I just noticed that my doors of my '70 VW Beetle are a little saggy, and don't close "cleanly" (which is very noticeable after I installed the outer door rubber gasket).

What is the safest way to lift them up a little to improve the alignment of them?

Is it safe to jack them up just a little bit and let them set overnight with a jack under them just to see if I can raise them up just a tad?

How have you guys fixed this issue?
_________________
Eric
'70 "Herbie" Project

[Pops67Beetle]

On my 67 the passenger door did exactly the same thing. I tried adjusting the door then I saw another post on the subject which said to open the door about 2 inches or so and lift while looking at the hinges for play. The play comes from worn hinge pins. I changed the pins and no further problems. The pins are not easy to get out. Soak them for a few days in a good penetrating oil then take the door off the body and knock them out with a punch and hammer, an air chisel or a hinge pin remover.
_________________
When I close my eyes I’m a little kid riding in the cubby..... Priceless!
13 y/o son’s quote while watching us replace the pedal cluster…. “Who says the Germans lost the war.”

67 Beetle bought new, 95% stock.

[bomberbob]

Is there any movement when you try and lift the door? Things to look for:
- The lower area (A pillar?) often rusts out, so the door loses support. Fix is to cut the rust out, and weld in a new piece. You can either fabricate your own pieces, or buy pieces already formed (fit may be poor).
- Worn door hinge pins, as already mentioned.
- If your A pillar is solid, and your pins are good, next is adjustment. I have seen several methods.
+ Loosen all the bolts that fasten the body to the pan, then put a jack under that point where the door hinges are. Raise the jack. You will see the door go up as you raise the jack. When its a little higher than you want, go underneath and tighten the mounting bolts back up. Lower the jack. Check and see where your door is. I tried this on my saggy door, no joy.
+ People have also advocated placing a jack under the door with a piece of wood to spread out the pressure, and raise the jack. I have tried this with my saggy door, no joy.

If you google it or search on this website, you will find other methods. I am taking mine to a local body shop and having them fix mine. Nothing I try works.
_________________
1968 Beetle (storage)
1990 Jetta GLI megasquirted, burning E85 (currently in heavy maintenance)
2004 Jetta turbo GLI
Marion, Iowa

[emeeder]

The doors seem stiff as can be to me...

I had left them hanging open for a couple days during painting to dry, and they just seem to have sagged down
_________________
Eric
'70 "Herbie" Project

[Pops67Beetle]

Maybe the screws from hinge to body weren’t completely tight while the doors were left open. Try loosening the screws (a little) and raising the door with a jack and a board to spread out the load. Try this with the door open less than 45 degrees for the best result.
_________________
When I close my eyes I’m a little kid riding in the cubby..... Priceless!
13 y/o son’s quote while watching us replace the pedal cluster…. “Who says the Germans lost the war.”

67 Beetle bought new, 95% stock.

[viiking]

Also with respect to the hinge screws, most people DO NOT have the correct size screwdriver to do the job.

Invest in an impact screw driver (I have one that you hit with a hammer) with the correct very large bit and once you have the door in the correct location, use the impact driver to make sure the screws are tight.

If you've ever had to remove these screws, you know how tight they are usually.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[emeeder]

Okay... I'll lookup getting one...
_________________
Eric
'70 "Herbie" Project

[VW_Jimbo]

[evanfrucht]

Power impact driver usually works. I jury rig my electric one with a 8mm socket and then use the proper impact driver bit. Push hard and let her rip!
_________________
1967 Bug ( the daily rod )
1964 Fury Wagon ( the pavement shredder )

[Mike Fisher]

#4 is the big Phillips head bit.
_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[emeeder]

God bad news yesterday as the mechanic was doing the door windows/scrappers...

The doors weren't lining up very well, and were sagging making a nice open/close very tough... he jacked up the post behind the front wheel and the door sag fixed itself

He got under there and looked, and it looks like the front of the floor pans are pretty bad, and not even properly welded to the channels or other parts

Looks like I will need floor pans and heater channels in the spring...
_________________
Eric
'70 "Herbie" Project