Sprint door problems - help....

[Mrozik]

Hi all

I've just acquired a '72 Sprint and although it will need some work, overall its not bad however I have noticed that the drivers door has play in it and the passenger door especially protrudes out at the bottom.

How do you adjust the play in the hing area?

I have search through the forum and found that the door bulge seems to be a "natural" fault but I was wondering what's the best method to correct it?

Thanks for the help
John

[nmauduit]

the play can (should) be taken up by screwing in the nylon ball hinge (part 3 of Parts Manual drawing below) via a 1/4" square drive, after one has undone the locking nut (part 4) - usually at the bottom since it is the one supporting the weight of the door (access can be obtained just by removing the door card, care should be paid to the locking/unlocking wires), then lock it back using part 4. NB nylon is good but soft, one should not force the 1/4" drive before the locking nut is suitably loosened.

elan door hinges

[Mrozik]

Thank you. Sounds simle enough....Merci

[Mrozik]

SIMPLE...

[collins_dan]

As to the bulge at the bottom, try removing the weather stripping and see how much that improves things. The problem is usually two-fold, weatherstripping too thick and misformed doors. The former can be addressed with the right type of weather stripping. The later requires removing a sliver of fiberglass along the lower rear section of the door, where the outer skin meets the bottom door structure. Obviously a bigger operation, but can be done without affecting the paint on the outside of the door. All the best, Dan

[Mrozik]

Many thanks Dan

[alan.barker]

Hi John,
a good idea is to use a piece of 1/4" square bar to slide inside the Nylon screws to the bottom or you risk to damage it. Full location down to bottom of square hle in screw
Alan

[My72Sprint]

For those who have forgotten,
The Lotus door "molds" produced imperfect doors for late S4 Sprint models.
Meaning factory doors are NEVER perfectly straight always bowed out at the bottom.

What perfect doors?
By a new aftermarket replacement set, paint & install.
Tim

[elanner]

Hi John,
a good idea is to use a piece of 1/4" square bar to slide inside the Nylon screws to the bottom or you risk to damage it. Full location down to bottom of square hle in screw
Alan

+1

I use this, the long one on a ratchet for the top ball, the angle one (with a 45 degree twist in it) for the bottom ball. Makes adjustment trivial.

Nick