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Old 06-22-2016, 01:50 AM   #1
LizardsA
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Default Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Good day
I have a '30 Roadster Pick Up that has sagging doors. I have replaced the old door hinges with new ones, but the doors still catch at the top of the door on the door post.
I am looking for advice on lifting the body just slightly, without dismantling the entire car, so that I can get to the cowl body blocks. Is this a simple procedure, or are there complications?
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Mike
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Old 06-22-2016, 09:14 AM   #2
wrndln
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

You should be able to adjust the rubber shims on the wood body blocks to make the doors fit correctly. You might have to add some shims to what is already there. I don't think there is a written procedure on how to do it, it is a trial and error operation. You should have to remove the body, just jack or lift up the body area where you suspect the shims might be necessary (the body to frame bolt(s) would need to be removed first. If the shim doesn't help, remove t and try shimming another body block. In your case it appears you need to add a shim to the cowl area (raise the A pillar) or remove a shim from the back body block (lower the rear).
Rusty Nelson
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Old 06-22-2016, 11:04 AM   #3
Utopia Texas
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Never worked on any other model A than my 1931 Slant Windshield 4 Door Sedan so I do not know if my experience applies to your situation but the frame and body were stiff enough that I had to loosen "all" the body bolts on the side I was working on in able to Jack the body up enough to slide shims in until the doors all fit properly. I used the "U" shaped metal shims sold by the vendors that slide around the bolt stems between the body and frame.

Last edited by Utopia Texas; 06-22-2016 at 03:34 PM.
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Old 06-22-2016, 02:25 PM   #4
Gino
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

there is a bolt, on the floor,up toward the front of the vehicle past the upright support post for the door. if you use the upright support post as a fulcrum by putting a wedge in back of it ( toward the rear of the vehicle) than tighten the bolt i referred, to you will see how it affects the door. It might be best to release all the bolts connecting the cab to the frame and start from scratch.
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Old 06-22-2016, 04:58 PM   #5
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

i would think the doors are bent before thinking the body is at fault
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Old 06-22-2016, 07:05 PM   #6
wrndln
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

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I think roadsters, phaetons and open cab pickups are nutritiously problematic concerning door alignment. The bodies on open cars are pretty loosy goosy, as only the subrails holds the sections together, unlike closed cars that have a top that hold everything together. I think the body is probably the part that needs the work - shimming.
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Old 06-22-2016, 07:21 PM   #7
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

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Originally Posted by wrndln View Post
I think roadsters, phaetons and open cab pickups are nutritiously problematic concerning door alignment. The bodies on open cars are pretty loosy goosy, as only the subrails holds the sections together, unlike closed cars that have a top that hold everything together. I think the body is probably the part that needs the work - shimming.
Rusty Nelson
Agree totally with Rusty, It is a trial and error venture. After every attempt, all bolts need to be loosened another shim scheme attempted, bolts tightened, if out of alignment, start over.
It took me a week to get my doors right on my '29RPU. I got so tired of climbing in and out from under the truck I could scream. When your head gets ready to explode, walk away and try again later. It wont be easy.
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Old 06-22-2016, 07:23 PM   #8
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

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Originally Posted by wrndln View Post
I think roadsters, phaetons and open cab pickups are nutritiously problematic concerning door alignment. The bodies on open cars are pretty loosy goosy, as only the subrails holds the sections together, unlike closed cars that have a top that hold everything together. I think the body is probably the part that needs the work - shimming.
Rusty Nelson
What Rusty said .. Work the body
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Old 06-23-2016, 02:12 AM   #9
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Even tho you said you fitted new hinges, before you start on shimming the body, have a look at your front door gap from inside at the A pillar with the door closed.

It should be parallel and about 1/4 inch gap

You could have a bent cowl post or a bent door where the hinge bolts on.
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Old 06-23-2016, 10:55 AM   #10
LizardsA
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. I plan on trying this tomorrow, so I'll report back once done.
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Old 06-23-2016, 11:08 AM   #11
Steve Wastler
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

I'd be looking at frame sag, being its an open cab, could be a can of worms trying to adjust it out shimming body....
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Old 06-23-2016, 11:16 AM   #12
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

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I'd be looking at frame sag, being its an open cab, could be a can of worms trying to adjust it out shimming body....
Plus 1
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Old 06-23-2016, 02:32 PM   #13
Russ/40
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Plus 2, you have to start with a true flat frame
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Old 06-23-2016, 03:54 PM   #14
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Every car has a different problem but I am real pleased with the my bend job today on our 28 the drivers door never closed good like the other 3 doors the bottom of door was a little bent probly from backing into something. I finally got up the courage to stick a small board in hinge and force the door against it it turned out great! Now it's a pleasure to open and close door! No more slamming!
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Old 06-23-2016, 04:00 PM   #15
Mikeinnj
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Here is a tutorial on door alignment with drawings and narrative thanks to Marcos.


http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/door-2.htm
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Old 12-11-2020, 09:33 AM   #16
Bernie S
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Does any one have the current link to the Marcos guide to adjust doors and body?
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Old 12-11-2020, 11:00 AM   #17
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

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Does any one have the current link to the Marcos guide to adjust doors and body?
Go to MAFCA site kick on Marcos name save his site! I've save it but went and found it ! It's all in the hunt!
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Old 12-11-2020, 11:52 AM   #18
ronn
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

I'd be looking at frame sag, being its an open cab




that was my first thought.......... I have seen frames sagged so bad that the hood wont open and close properly.
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Old 12-11-2020, 11:53 AM   #19
Bob C
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Here you go. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812...hop/door-2.htm
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Old 12-11-2020, 01:14 PM   #20
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Default Re: Lifting body to adjust sagging doors

Sounds like you are talking about my '29 roadster. Tried all the easy things to get the doors and hood to line up but it was frame sag all the time. Simple job on a lift with chains on the frame front & back and a jack and thick plank in a couple places under the frame in between. Been good ever since. Guy who helped me had done it before so he was the boss, I was the helper. Bill
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