Is there a simple fix for my sagging corvette passenger door or is it more involved than I imagine...who's been there and done that?
-
-
Re: sagging 57 corvette door- Frank
Frank, Start with replacing the hing pins w/ bushings. If your very lucky that's all you'll need.To continue, Study the interior door plates that capture the upper and lower hinge flanges. You'll understanding there is up and down alignment in those plates. Most likely the upper plate will be where the realignment is needed. There is also door in and out alignment possible with the door hinges as well. I believe this is located within the body door post. Your body door posts are in good condition and solid, right? Once you get into understanding of the engineering of the door plates, you'll see the design engineering was pretty sharp. Good luck, Regards, im -
Re: sagging 57 corvette door
Early car with out the reinforcements ?? Door post flex ?Comment
-
Re: sagging 57 corvette door
my 57 vin 4450 was fortunate enough to leave st louis with the 2nd design door jambs with the metal reinforcements in its door jamd area(behind the kick panels). its doors don't sag a bit inspite of 70K miles. my 57 vin 1093 lacks the metal reinforcements that chevy added to the 57's starting about vin 4200(not sure of the exact vin # when the general started adding the metal bracing). anyway, both doors on the early 57 sagged considerably(drivers door would drop about 2 to 2 1/2" when the door left the striker. the old 57 vin 1093 had over 250K miles when i got her in 1970. years ago, i rigged up a Bubba-type temporary bracing that helped somewhat but wasn't the overall answer. i recently began the restoration of vin 1093 which required a new front clip. while i had the original damaged front clip removed, i made templates of the metal bracing in the 2nd design 57's bracing, fab'd the needed pieces and installed the metal in the early 57. although judges may discern my modifications to the first design door jamb, i accept the possible deductions as i hate doors that are misfits. by the way, the early 57(and all 56's for that matter) have a significant potential to develope the door sags that vin 1093 had experienced due to the weakening of the fiberglass panels in the door jamb area(and that is all that supports the door's weight on the 56's and early 57's). hope for your sake your 57 is of the second design wherein Jim Frakes suggestions will probably cure yer problem. mikeComment
-
Re: sagging 57 corvette door
Mike -
Mine (#4275) had the bracing.Comment
-
Re: sagging 57 corvette door
thanks john. hope more owners of early vin 4000's chime in with their bracing issues so we can nail down an approximate vin changeover. mikeComment
-
Re: sagging 57 corvette door
Frank,
Is your door just sagging?
Are the hinges loose?
With the door open pull the end of the door up and down to see if the hinges are loose/worn.
Have someone else move the door up and down and look at the hinges to see what is moving.
If it is the hinge pins you can buy a rebuild kit.
It requires removal of the door to replace the pins and bushings, then reinstalling the door and adjusting it.
If you see no movement in the hinge pins there may be a problem where the hinge is mounted in either the door post or inside the door. This may require fiberglass repair work.
Ask some of your local Corvette guys to help diagnose the problem. Eyes on the spot make it a lot easier.
Good luck,
VerleComment
-
Re: sagging 57 corvette door
Frank,
All good advice given here.
Your investigation may reveal loose hinge reinforcement metal inside the doors. If that is the case (very common on C2's) you will need to tighten up the rivets that hold the steel structure to the fiberglass. GM used aluminum flat head rivets to secure the structure.
Let us know what you find.Comment
-
Re: sagging 57 corvette door
57 #2829 is, of course, pre-metal support structure. It has a real 90,200 miles on it, and there is no sag in either door, nor has there been anything done to the doors sills, jams, etc. Not surprising that the good doctor's (do we know that he is good?) 250k-mile car had some significant sag.Comment
-
Re: sagging 57 corvette door
You guys are GOOD! Thanks for all the suggestions...I'll commence immediately if not sooner on what's with causing the sag. Regards....frankComment
Comment