03 I35 drivers door hangs when I open it/close it

[CMFIC]

I read the freebie post about adjusting the striker. Anyone know if this is the best way to fix my sagging door, 03 I35?

The door physically hangs lower than it should. When I close the door, the bottom will scrape the paint n the door frame.

Thanks!

[goody90q45]

The Q45 has issues with weak front door hinges and I'm wondering if the I35 has the same problem. If the door is hanging low adjusting the striker is only going to center the door when it's closed and mask the real problem.

Take a look at the door hinges before making any adjustments to the striker. I'm pretty sure you'll have to remove the fender to replace the hinge if it is broken.

How's NICO's search function working for you? The I35 forum may have your answers in archives. Have you read of any other members having similar issues with sagging doors (or windows that wont roll up)? Good luck.

Good luck.

[tfvesquire]

Hi There:

One easy way to check your hinges is to open the door completely and see if you can physically lift the door straight up. If there is movemment, even slight, you will have to replace one or more of your hinges. And unfortunately, you will have to remove your front fender and possibly your front bumper to replace the hinge.

I had the same issue with my 98 Q45. The door would rub slightly on the threshold/lower door jamb. I was able to unbolt the left front edge of my front bumper and hold it down just enough to access the fender bolts. Also, you may have to remove the lower rocker panel so look it up in the FSM before you break off a mounting clip, etc. Then remove the fender and have full access to the hinge. If you try to remove the hinge without these steps, you will end up damaging your paint job and/or rounding over the bolt heads because of the awkward access angle.

All I know is the PO of my car must have been some fat, lazy a** who used the drivers door as a crutch to get in and out of the car. Once that hinge was replaced, I adjusted the striker latch slightly and the door opens and closes properly now.

Good luck to you on this "weekend" project.

Ted

[qship96]

Old Q door hinges sag without any need for someone "hanging" on the door- lazy or disabled. Just the marginal design Nissan used. Look at a 1970's/1980's Mercedes door hinge if you want to see a quality over-engineered masterpiece of a properly designed lifetime hinge!!!!

[tfvesquire]

Old Q door hinges sag without any need for someone "hanging" on the door- lazy or disabled. Just the marginal design Nissan used. Look at a 1970's/1980's Mercedes door hinge if you want to see a quality over-engineered masterpiece of a properly designed lifetime hinge!!!!

I would normally agree with you, but I have opened and closed numerous Q45s with over 120K miles on them (mine only had 72K) and those door hinges were originals and nice and tight. On my car, I know the PO was overweight and lazy based on the trashed interior, the cracked (yes, cracked) drivers seat bottom CUSHION, the broken lumbar motor support and almost dying seat track motors. I was amazed when I pulled off the seat bottom cover to try and resecure it and found the foam cushion split open and literally glued together. I have never seen that and hope I never do again!! I ended up replacing both front seats so they would match.

Sorry, I digress.... Hope the original poster fizes his door hinges. Keep up posted.

[qship96]

Maybe someone hanging on door accelerated the hinge issue with that particular Q, but if you read the boards long enough, you will see it is a common problem with all Nissan/Infiniti models- weak undersized hinge material and design causing doors sag with age

[Q451990]

If the Q's hinge is like my truck, the pin in the hinge has a snap ring type retainer that can be removed, allowing one to separate the hinge peices. That might be a way to avoid fender/bumper removal - although adjusting them would still be a pain...

To the O/P, how many miles on your I - and has it ever had body work?

Heath

[CMFIC]

Thanks folks for the replies.

I think the hinge will eventually need to be replaced. However, I adjusted the striker plate slightly and the door opens and closes level and with ease. I think this will last for a while. The paint is not getting rubbed on the jamb, etc..

Thanks!