The driver's door won't close completely unless you really shut it hard. So, we replaced the weatherstripping (breaks and droops) -- still doesn't close without a hard slam. Any way to adjust this? Seems like it might be too high or too low? Hate to beat it that hard just to get a good close.
Thanks for any help

 

I think it's normal because the car is sealed so tightly. Try it with the window cracked open and that will confirm if it's just the air thing or something actually resisting the closure.

 

both my doors are like that, super annoying...especially when I have to tell my girlfriend that her door didnt shut EVERY TIME she gets in it

 

yeah this is a very common thing on our cars, i was looking back through the paperwork and the origional owner had brought it into the dealer brand new with this problem even lol.

 

same problem here

 

yes this is normal on my car as well, it probably is also the reason the passenger side door handles tend to break off. lol

 

weird

 

i was getting this and I just made sure the weathersrips in the door were seatingon the rails properly. Seemed to get better after I pushed them all back into place

 

Is this really THAT common with no fix? My car was in an accident before I bought it and I was under the impression that my DS door is not original and/or poorly aligned on installation. The PS door opens and shuts cleanly with minimal force while the DS door really needs a thump....and yes, it's related to the seals because the sunroof "pops" slightly when I shut the DS door. It's airtight. (It's actually how I get the hatch to open fully after I pull the release - by repeatedly opening and closing the DS door to force the hatch up enough for me to grab it. Pretty ghetto.)

Perfect timing actually. I just got back from the body shop and I had them give me an estimate to re-align the door while they're fixing everything else. Would anyone here pay $200 for a cleanly functioning DS door? My other worry now is that it cannot be fixed.....

 

Do you have an alarm for the car?

OR better question an alarm that controls the windows as well?

The FD, like many small tight sports cars create a positive air pressure zone so its really hard to close the door.

In most modern cars, the window will automatically crack itself open about an inch, so you can close the door with ease. Then after you close it, the window will automatically close itself.

On my car, i just leave my window open about an inch. Get out of the car, close my door and hit the window button on my alarm and it will close the windows automatically and set the alarm at the same time.

 

Maybe I should apply the $200 towards an alarm system with window control instead then. What alarm system do you have to do this with? I've been out of the alarm system tech loop for a long time now.......

 

I helped a friend with a '93 with REALLY bad door closing problems this weekend. Most FD's will need a good solid close to get over the door seal - that's normal. His required multiple attempts and excessive force to close.

First, remove the door latch assembly. This is done by removing the door panel, removing the window glass, removing the exterior door handle and the rear window guide (it's only 1 10mm bolt that holds it in). Then, you can remove the 3 Phillips screws around the latch mechanism. There's a wiring harness going to it that needs to be unplugged and you have to disconnect the 2 cables going to the interior door handle and lock.

With it out, test close the door. Gaps should be even all around. I have seen an FD once that had a door that was "sagging" - I put a jack under the door, loosened the attachment bolts, then retightened. This is going to be pretty uncommon, though.

Close the door and you can feel and see how the U-shaped door latch on the frame of the car fits into the groove in the door. It should be centered nicely in the slot.

In the case of the car I worked on this weekend, the door latch mechanism was VERY old and tired. There is a rubber stop inside the mechanism that holds the latch tight when closed, we shaved it down some and that seemed to help a great deal. You can also use the shaft of a Phillips head screwdriver to simulate the door latch hook going into the latch to test the operation of the latch.

Most times I think the latch probably just needs to be replaced. I have a feeling it's stupid expensive new, though.

Dale

 

mine were out alittle bit when it was closed, when i brought it to my uncles shop to get paint and body work, the little metal catch in the door sill, took him 2 seconds to adjust it so the doors closed properly

 

damn and here i thought i was the only one lol i always feel like a moron when i tell people to close the door 5 times >.>

 

My FC does the same thing.
i also hate telling my guest to shut the door like 3 times
and hate looking like im mad whenever i have to shut the door hard.

but if you crack open the sun roof or the window a little open it closes fine.

and like FC3S mentioned, its repairable.

 

+1

 

wow what the hell was I on that day. hahaha that's some pretty bad grammer.
I must have got interupted mid post