Problem with drivers door

GrahamR

GrahamR

Member
My drivers door does not always close properly on the first try. I thought it was just the check strap that needs to be replaced. I tried moving the door up and down when the door is open, and discovered that there is movement or play, as if the bottom hinge pin is worn. However I got a friend to move the door up and down so that I could inspect more closely, and there appears to be no problem with the bottom hinge, and that the play is actually inside the door. Any ideas what's wrong and how it could be fixed? The car is booked in for an MOT soon, and I'm having the check strap replaced at the same time, but it looks as though more work is required:(
 
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I would suspect that either the rollers inside the door or the pop rivets holding the check strap to the door have failed - either would give rise to the play you are feeling.

If the check strap is being replaced, then this should cure it.

Cheers,

Mike
 
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If you are a bit mechanical you can do the check strap in about 15mins its that easy to do, just 3 screws remove the door card and then 2 nuts and a pin removes the check strap, just done mine

Cheers Phil
 
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Hi GrahamR
If it's not the checkstrap which is making the door difficult to shut then take a look at the latch plate alignment on the door pillar. My doors were hard to shut from new until I adjusted the latch plates - check the graduation marks and note the current position, partially close the door then eyeball the door lock striker plate to check if the latch is forcing the door to lift or drop when fully closed. If the latch plate is not central then slacken the torx screws just enough to allow the latch plate to slide then raise or lower it accordingly. Mine took a couple attempts to get the doors closing sweetly. Hope this makes sense.
I did wonder if incorrect adjustment would stress the door hinges and contribute to the door cracking problem

Chers Spike
 
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Thanks everyone for the advice.

I think it is the check strap that's gone. There is play in the door (I can feel movement when pulling the door up from the bottom) but the movement comes from inside the door if that makes sense, as when the door is pulled up and down there is no play at the hinge. Since the door is moving I reckon this problem would need to be fixed, before looking at the strike plate.

As I said, the garage is looking at the problem when the MOT is being done on 9/6/08, so I'll report how I get on.

Graham
 
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New MOT & door fixed!

I was quoted £173 from my nearest Audi dealer for replacing the check strap, so I thought forget that!

The car was booked for an MOT at my local garage so I asked them to replace the check strap too. However the problem was actually only loose door hinge bolts! These have now been tightened, and the door now feels perfect:)

The car needed a strut top bearing and a new rear number plate for the MOT. Total bill was £189.28, so I was pleasantly surprised:)
 
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door adjustment

few months ago i got my doors refitted by audi wakefield due to the well known Al problem around the hinge plates on the doors themselves.
Now the passenger door is fine as it does not get used much but the drivers door appears to have moved somewhat. I can best describe it as this the upper edge of the door nearest the rubber strip appears to be closer to car than it should so that ther is a lip from the trailing edge of the front wing and the leading edge of the rear door. it's as if it has rolled towars the car along a horizontal axis . Funny thing is that the bottom edge does not appear to be out .
I attach two pics 'drivers door' you can see where the light catches the two 'lips' and pasenger door all is terribly smooth .
I fear approaching wakefield audi as i suspect they think i'm a bit of a nutter now and having told me there was no available radio removal keys i'm less inclined to go back to what is part of the sytner franchise
Any ideas anyone? i've unscrewed the main door hinges but the washers under the splines there are coned and so align the door back where it was i think.
 
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My question was, do you mean the rear end or front end of the door?
I think you mean the rear end. Yes, I can see that, if it's that what you mean.
 
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Erstens thank you for your replies
yes i do mean the rear but it is also on the front edge so that both front and rear are more in than they should be
 
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windy door

Last new year in scotland the brother-in-laws garage roof was blowing off in the wind so we attempted to tie it down at 9pm before venturing out on the whisky. I used my audi's lights to illuminate the area then opened the car door to assist. Whap!! The door was practically pulled of its hinges. Never been the same after numerous adjustments at a local VW/audi private garage. Anybody want to buy a spare door?
 
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