....and the door saga continues HELP appreciated!

[dumbusername]

OK, so I am making progress on my door alignment problem. I checked the door and realized there was significant "play" in it. When it is open you can "lift" it. So, now I pretty much know it's the hinges. Went to the dealer and got the hinge "plugs" (4 for less than $10). I ordered a new striker assembly too because the "butterfly" plastic washer in mine was falling apart. (special order $12.00)

So, now I've searched the site (don't have a service manual '94 240sx) and can't figure out how to remove the door, or the hinge pin, so I can install the "plugs". I'm sure you guys have removed doors enough times to give me some advice (step-by-step would be nice :-) Is it a DIY or should I bring it in?

Thanks

[1991S13]

Straight outta the Chilton book:

1. Place a jack under the door.2. Remove door without hinge.3. Remove the door hinge.4. Installation is reverse.

I looked in the FSM also, and didn't even see a section about door removal.

Good luck, and I hope I helped...

[dumbusername]

Thanks for the info. Actually, I'm not sure if it helped! LOL

OK, so remove the door without hinge.......hmmmm WHAT???

I'm not sure I want to really remove the door. I just want to remove the pin from the hinge so I can replace the "plugs" on the top and bottom of each hinge. Or at least that's what I think I'm trying to do!

OYE

[Rally240]

I have replaced the hinge pins and plugs on the drivers door for the same sagging reason. It's not hard, but you may have to have some patience.Keep in mind my car is a 91 S13, but I don't think yours would be that different.

Most manuals will tell you to CAREFULLY remove the window wiring harness from the door, but if you have a friend to help you support the door, leave the harness pluged in as it makes the job that much faster.

First cut the plastic strap holding the wiring to the door. This will give some extra room for the door to move.

Next remove the pin holding the brace which prevents the door from fully opening. Carefuly not to let the door open against the fender.

Each pin is held with a "C clip" which needs to be removed. The pins have to be hammered out. I used a short crow-bar and hammered on that.Note the top pin has to be inserted from bottom to top.

Next carefully back the door away slightly and pry off the plugs. I would clean the hinges well at this time, even put some grease if you want.Insert the new plugs making sure they're nice and snug so the door can fit.Surpringly the new pins have to be hammered in also, but it's doable.

Reinsert the "C-clips" on the 2 pins and the third pin for the door opening.Reclip the wiring harness to the door.

Close the door and see how much nicer it closes.

Now look at your watch .... 40 minutes should have gone by since you started.

Good luck.

PS - BTW, this was my first time attempting anything close to this.

[The Mic]

The adjustment is done at the top hinge and the striker. Adjust at the hinge first to get the door placed properly in the opening, then adjust the striker (if necessary) to hold the door tight.

[dumbusername]

Rally, this is GREAT info! If I lived closer I'd drive to your place so you could walk me through it!

Let me ask you, did you do this own or did you have a friend to help you? Also the c-clip, is it metal and reusable or should I get a few new ones?

I'm nervous about doing this on my own......any Socal folks willing to give me a hand on this one. I'll even drive to you and bring the beer!!!

[bangstanger]

Well if you wanna cruise to bakersfield I can help ya...there really isnt much more in the way of advice I can give ya... btw you got a new "butterfly" assembly for 12$ I went to the junkyard for one and it was 6..damn...wish I had known..lol

[Rally240]

Let me ask you, did you do this own or did you have a friend to help you?

I had my 18yr old son help me hold the door upright while it was resting on a box.

Also the c-clip, is it metal and reusable or should I get a few new ones?

The c-clips are metal and can be easily reusable.

I'm nervous about doing this on my own......any Socal folks willing to give me a hand on this one. I'll even drive to you and bring the beer!!!

I think coming from Canada would make it VERY expensive beer

Don't worry too much. Find a friend and spend part of an afternoon.

[Hijacker]

you will need two friends to hold that door. convertible doors are heavy as crap. there's more bracing and the seatbelt to worry with.

[dumbusername]

All you guys are the best!

Rally240 I'm printing your instructions out and will let you know how it goes. And I love Molson beer - it's not really that expensive.

Bangstanger.......I just might be in the mood for a ride to Bakersfield. What's 125 miles on a sunny California day in my new-to-me convertible. Props to the guys at Power Nissan in Torrance they have been great about helping me get the parts I need WITHOUT having to pay retail! As a matter of fact Tony walked with me to the parking lot to look at my car to show me how to check the door! Last week the guys spent over 1/2 hour trying to make me duplicate keys from my original keys that were so worn out that they couldn't be machine duplicated. One of the guys hand cut the 2 keys at least 6 times without charging me until they had both of them perfect! Gotta love 'em!!!!

[Rally240]

You can rest the door on something (I used a wooden box), and someone can hold the door upright.

Admitedly my Canadian S13 model doesn't have the seatbelt track, but that moves with the door.

All I can tell you is that I'm not that mechanically inclined, and I did the job as described above .... of course if you throw problems at everything, then nothing ever gets done.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I'd give this job a difficulty of 2.5

[nismo521]

Anyone know the part number for the hinge plugs? I think I need to do this too and I prefer to order parts by number, since my local parts guys are frickin idiots.

[dumbusername]

Nismo521 - Here's the part number from my dealer invoice for the plug 80410-01L00 The list price is $2.60 but you should be able to get them for around $2.30 each. You'll need 4 for each door. While you're there you might as well get a new striker assembly- part number 80570-41L00 Reatail is $13.39 but you should be able to get it for $12.05. Call the dealer ahead as these may be special orders for them.

I'm still looking for a SOCAL member willing to work with me on this project. Are you inmy area?

[onosqv]

I'm in the area and actually head up to Torrance every once in a while during weekends to help out at my uncle's computer store. I know one of those fools at Power Nissan @ Torrance (Charlie, one of the managers), haha - one of the other guys there tried to sell me a stock 240 convertible for $8K, HAHA.

Anyway, if you do this project more toward the end of the month, I might be able to help (you'll still need another person), but can't for most of this month since I'm busy trying to work on mine and lunar new years is coming up (so it will be one week out for partying, eating, and gamb|ing).

[dumbusername]

End of the month works for me!

Party Hardy!