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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - door alignment

Hi

Slowly rebiulding my midget, I've just put the door back on to discover that whilst the top of the door fits better than ever before the bottom now sits at least 3/8ths of an inch in. Is it possible to shim the bottom hinge where the two bolts hold the door on? Or do I need to do something to the a-post?

Cheers Mark
MarkDJ

I had a similar problem when fitting 'different' doors to a Midget, once. I had to 'adjust' the alignment by putting a block of wood between the bottom of the door and the top of the sill flange and gently leaning on the door. Worked a treat!
Dave O'Neill 2

I had a similar problem when fitting new doors to mine had to "adjust" with a bit of force here and there with pieces of wood seem to line up ok .
mark (1977 1500 Midget) Preston Lancs

The bottom hinge is slotted and should adjust in/ out (ie at right angles to the centre line of the car. If it is already as far out as it will go so that it is up against the inside of the A post flange, then adding spacers between the hinge arm and the door casing may also help.

Guy
Guy

I am by no means any good at this, but I was told that it's better to fit the bottom and alter the top, than the other way around ....
rachmacb

Guy. You said.. "then adding spacers between the hinge arm and the door casing may also help.".

You can't do this as the hinge bolts Behind the mounting on the door. Putting in spacers would force the door further in.

I've just fitted brand new doors to my build and went through a similar thing. Both doors sat around 1/4" inside the A post / sill line even when I'd sloted the A post mounts as far out as I dared. I ended up drilling out the hinge mounts on the doors and refolding them to move them inwards the required amount. This now moves the door outwards. It took ages to figure out what I needed to do but now that I have, I have perfect shutlines. (the front wings on the other hand took forever to line up.) I just got the shell into filler primer on saturday so I'll get some fotos tonight and post them up.

Graeme
graeme jackson

Graeme,
You are quite right, it is the hinge arm itself which is tapped. Adding spacers is going to move the door the wrong way! Its over 10 years since I had the same problem. I solved it by adjusting and modifying the A post end of the hinges with a grinder. You have now reminded me why!
Guy

Cheers for that folks, if it can't be persuaded then surgery at the bottom of the a-post will be required.
MarkDJ

here's a couple of pics of the car just after the filler primer coats. Shows the fit you can achieve if you take your time (and buy a welder). The back edge of the door is fine too - just looks bad as there's no rubber seal behind to stop it closing further than it should ;-)

Graeme


graeme jackson

and a close up

Graeme


graeme jackson

That makes mine look awful, i'm off to the garage to cry.....
MarkDJ-glos

This thread was discussed between 03/07/2011 and 15/07/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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