door alignment

[wetminkey]

While I wait for my new upholstery, I'm planning my next project,...re-aligning my driver's door. It should be about 4mm higher (front and rear), and rotated about 4mm outward (at the top of the door) to align it nicely with the body. I've not attempted door alignment on a Spider, before.
I have the alignment instructions for the door that are in the Fiat 124 Shop Manual, but I was wondering if anyone had any particular tricks, or advice, that they have learned while completing this nasty task?!
I searched the forum. Sounds like taping painted metal edges to prevent paint chips is one good point,...but I couldn't find anything about actually supporting, and adjusting the door.
Always best to take advantage of experienced advice! Thanks, all.
Best of luck with your projects!
Todd.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Todd, I've done this a few times, and I have to admit it's not one of my favorite jobs as it seems more trial and error, but maybe it's just me. But, here are some pointers:

1) Make sure your hinges don't have excessive play. If the hinge dowel is loose, the door will be "floppy" no matter what.

2) The hinge attachment points in the door allow you to move the door rearwards or forwards, and to a certain extent, clockwise or counterclockwise as you look at the door face on. The hinge attachment points in the body allow you to move the door up and down, and in and out. From your description, it sounds like you need to adjust the hinge attachment points in the body. If this is true, this is good news as you won't have to remove the door panel to get access to the door attachment points.

3) Some people support the door bottom with a block of wood and a floor jack. My method is to loosen the adjustment nuts just enough to get things to move, check what needs to changed, make that change while holding the door in the same position, and then retighten the nuts. Again, lots of trial and error.

4) Inevitably, it takes many tries to get it right. On some of my cars, I've had to use spacer washers to get everything right, but no harm seemed to come of that.

Good luck!
-Bryan

[wetminkey]

Thanks, Bryan. Sounds just like what I've done before in adjusting a P/U truck door,...good to hear from someone that has struggled with this task before.
You are correct,...so it's really good to know that I only have to make changes to the body hinge-points. And, luckily, I only need to change the alignment by a couple of millimeters,...easier to make small changes by trial and error than big ones!
This is the only body panel on my Spider that's out of alignment, and I'll get this done before I paint this spring.
If I discover any great ideas that make door re-alignment easier, I'll post about it,...
Thanks, Todd.