Sorry to make another topic so soon, but my father and i were baffled about this aspect of the 89 Formula that we might purchase.

The passengers side door is difficult to open and close. Always gives alittle resistant. And the gaps between it and the rest of the car are misalligned on every side. But heres the thing---its the original door and its not repainted...So what the hell could be wrong that is making the door misallign like that. It doesnt hang down...because the hinges are fine.

This doesnt bother me at all, but my dad seems alittle suspicious and overly cautious about it (because he doesnt want to get a car thats been in an accident, although this one does not appear to have been in one.)

 

kinda sounds like its been in a front end collision. Get under the car and check for bent parts, radiator support, etc. But if you want to realign everything you can its just really time consuming.

 

we're almost 100% sure its never been hit. My dad got under the car for awhile and checked it all out. From what he could see there is nothing wrong with the frame and body and the front end of the car is prestine. And as i said before the door is the original door w/ the orignal paint.

This really does baffle me as to how it could be like that...

We're not ruling out the possibility of it being hit...but it just seems so redicously improable because everything is original and untouched.

 

door hinges are worn

 

My frame is 100% straight but it's been in 2 accidents. Sounds like the hinges could just use an adjustment.

 

ok...now i didnt look at the hinges, i do not know nearly as much about cars as my dad, so i left the trickier stuff to him. but is it possible that the hinges are still in good condition (as he said they were--i dont know exactly what he meant by that) but they just need an adjustment??

 

you could try looking for the vin tags on the rest of hte front end pieces, that should tell you prety quick if the pannels have been replaced.

 

the panels havent been replaced...

 

Besides the Hinges.You should also check the door striker(the big bolt on the door jamb w/the TORX head).This is "adjustable"a little bit.If its too low,high,in or outward.The door will NOT close properly.Minor issues like windows rolling up too high or new or incorrect weather strip are worth looking at,but these are easily fix.Check & make sure that the hinges are NOT bolted on the door.If they are ORIGINAL they should be welded on.Only on the body do the hinges bolt on.