door hard to close or doesn't close completely
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- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 1:26 pm
door hard to close or doesn't close completely
why most of 356's door hard to shut and doesn't shut all the way in ? What is the majority problem that cause that?
Thanks
Thanks
- Martin Benade
- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
That is usually from people doing rust repairs without constantly checking the door fit with with the weatherstrips in place. When it is all finished, often it cannot ever be adjusted correctly without grinding, cutting, etc. If you are lucky, new seals of softer rubber can sometimes cure the problem.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
- Steve Harrison
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 3301
- Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:39 am
- Location: Auburn AL
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
Sometimes it's that rubber wedge that is supposed to fit into the aluminum cup in the door. It's supposed to be a fairly snug fit to keep the door firm and positively located. Try glycerine on the rubber and see if it helps land itself further in the receiver. Carefuly checking the other seals and possibly replacing with new softer ones can indeed also solve shutting problems. Without seeing the car, it's hard to say really.
- David Baugh
- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:29 pm
- Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
It can also be the rubber in the pocket that extends below the door trim panel. Try removing the rubber. If you like, it can be replaced with a softer material.
Dave
Dave
When in doubt .... Gas it!
'58 356A Coupe
'58 356A Coupe
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- 356 Fan
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- Location: Union, New Jersey
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
Most often caused by using the modern door seals, which are way too thick and made of a much harder rubber than originally used.
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- 356 Fan
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Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
I'll second Geoff's assessment - my 59 A coupe drivers door closed perfectly until I replaced the seals. Took absolutely ages before it calmed down (and only last year it needed a little tweaking to the inside latch area: moved it a smidgen downwards.)
- Martin Benade
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 12181
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
Any votes for supplier of softest, thinnest seals, purchased recently enough to be the same item being supplied currently? Luckily, my car does not have this problem, but this would be very useful information.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
- Bob DiCorpo
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 368
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:11 pm
- Location: Massachusetts
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
I had lots of problems with the doors on my Speedster closing until I replaced the closing mechanism springs. The new springs are very strong and pull the door right in when I close it. Of course, if the rubber on your car is too stiff, the springs will not completely correct your problem.
Bob DiCorpo
'56 Speedster
Massachusetts
'56 Speedster
Massachusetts
- Martin Benade
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 12181
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
Which springs are you referring to?
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
- Bob DiCorpo
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 368
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:11 pm
- Location: Massachusetts
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
There are small springs (one on each door locking/opening mechanism), located inside the door. You would need to remove the inside door panel to get to them.
Bob DiCorpo
'56 Speedster
Massachusetts
'56 Speedster
Massachusetts
- Martin Benade
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 12181
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
Springs in the actual latch, or right by the inside door handle?
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
-
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 1:26 pm
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
Hi Steve, i removed the rubber wedge that is supposed to fit into the aluminum cup in the door and the door closed perfectly. Any supplier you suggest to get the new soft material?
Thanks
Thanks
- Martin Benade
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 12181
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
The wedge is meant to be hard plastic. Can you realign/ file down/ lubricate it to work better? My later cars do not have this piece so I don't know it the screws allow it to be moved slightly.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
- David Baugh
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 673
- Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:29 pm
- Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
I had to remove my new passenger side rubber door wedge, and cut off about 1/8" from the back side of it, before reinstalling it. Then the door shut perfectly.
Dave
Dave
When in doubt .... Gas it!
'58 356A Coupe
'58 356A Coupe
- Wes Bender
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 4861
- Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:54 am
- Location: Somewhere in the Gadsden Purchase, USA
Re: door hard to close or doesn't close completely
I think we're talking about two different wedges here..........
Wes
Wes
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....