MK3 Door Dropped, what are my options

[bmw156]

Hey guys,

my passenger door ha dropped and doesnt open very easily. i understand this is a common problem.

basically what are my options,

replace/adjust door hinges
replace door pins?

adust the door pin on the body work.
adjust the lock?

anyone else had experiance with this. many thanks.

[Wayne]

Replace the pins is the best bet.

[bmw156]

ok just searched and found some old threads.

and where can i get the pins,

GSF? VW?

[Paul86S2]

Yes replace the pins should sort your problem out. VW ones weren't expensive last time I checked.

Or buy some cheap coilovers and drop the rest of the car to suit the door

Paul

[bmw156]

ok cheers, ill drop VW a line and ask them for prices.

might as well do both doors while im there lol.

and do you have to remove thehinges to change the pins, i have done pins befor while the door is still on, buts its a right PITA lol.

[Paul86S2]

There are two differant types of door hinges, one type the pins are in fact grub type screws and the other is the more traditional pin.

This article from the maintenance section may also help you line up your door

http://www.pocketrocket.ca/mk3_sagging_doors.html

Paul

[bmw156]

yeh the guy at VW was saing one is like a grub screw, i shall have a look when im next at the car lol.

the hinge half withthe grub screw i guess was 12.24 + VAT from VW so not massivly expensive

[Khare]

Take 1 wheel nut from any wheel, or if you have a spare one then use that.

Put the nut in between the lower door hinge, like so.



Now slowly close the door with some light force. Don't go overboard and whack it closed. That force should bend the door back up to level as it should be. Do it with little force many times, you don't want to over do it, but if you do then do the same on the top hinge, and the door will drop down again.

I had to do it 6 or 7 times before I was happy with the result, just make sure you do it in small steps checking if you are happy with the level of the door as you go along.

[Matty-MK3]

Take 1 wheel nut from any wheel, or if you have a spare one then use that.

Put the nut in between the lower door hinge, like so.



Now slowly close the door with some light force. Don't go overboard and whack it closed. That force should bend the door back up to level as it should be. Do it with little force many times, you don't want to over do it, but if you do then do the same on the top hinge, and the door will drop down again.

I had to do it 6 or 7 times before I was happy with the result, just make sure you do it in small steps checking if you are happy with the level of the door as you go along.

Yeah, and then when it goes again, you can keep stressing it out.

Or you could just replace the pin.

[Khare]

Yeah, and then when it goes again, you can keep stressing it out.

Or you could just replace the pin.

Stressing what out? Have you tried it? NO.


It's been over a year since I wrote that guide out and the door hasn't dropped again. It takes 5 minutes to do and saves you the hassle of removing the hinges and taking the door off.