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Door Gaps

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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 06:29 AM
  #1  
Blackbari's Avatar
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From: Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
Car: 1988 IROC
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Axle/Gears: 2.77 9 Bolt
Door Gaps

I noticed a lot of Camaros and Firebirds passenger doors have an uneven gap between the bottom of the door and the rocker panel. Is it safe to say that these cars may have been in an accident, someone using a floor jack in the wrong place (trying to jack the car up from the floor pan), or just plain body flex due to old age or engine torque?

I guess only a body shop can properly align this mishap or just patiently realign the doors and fenders?
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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 11:05 AM
  #2  
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
consider that after a while the strap (hinge) that holds on the doosrs eventually wear out. it could cause the sag you are talking about. ALSO keep in mind that many times I have seen things like this and honestly it could have been a manufaturing defect from the factory.

Personally I will have to look and see what exactly you are talking about. Take notice is it on t-top cars only or hard top cars only or does it seem to effect both.

John

------------------
G O D BLESS AMERICA
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Baer 12" brakes 4 wheels, KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks & struts, Custom Leather interior, WAAAY TOO MANY MODS TO LIST

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

1967 Buick Riviera 430hp Turns high 14's (Not bad for 4300 lbs)

83 Camaro (Parts)
83 T/A (parts)

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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 03:59 PM
  #3  
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From: Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
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I've seen this on hardtop cars as well. I don't have a picture, but it is where the passenger door meets the lower portion of the right front fender and rocker panel.

The gap of the bottom of the passenger door is "normal" from the rear, but as you follow the gap going forward, the gap shrinks to the pont of nearly rubbing the rocker panel ground effect when you open the door.
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Old Sep 25, 2001 | 11:22 AM
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I got the same problem, go to my post it's a few post down, someone gives some help from a link to an old forum.

------------------
  • Red '91 Z-28 350
  • 700-R4 Trans
  • T-tops
  • no major power
    gaining mods, K&N
    Filter, Flowmaster
    exhaust -series 80-,
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Old Sep 25, 2001 | 11:45 AM
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From: Lan Terminal
I never open my door all the way out. I'm lucky my hinges are still strong and good. Hold the door just the way its ment. But I dont' want to get any sag, so I never put any stress on the doors.
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Old Sep 25, 2001 | 03:39 PM
  #6  
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From: Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
Car: 1988 IROC
Engine: B2L
Transmission: MD8
Axle/Gears: 2.77 9 Bolt
Checked out your post 91-GasGuzlinZ-28. Thanks>
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Old Sep 25, 2001 | 04:20 PM
  #7  
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Car: 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: WC T-5
From what I have seen that is usually caused by jacking the car up. Even using the correct jackpoint puts a lot of stress on that area and can cause the panel to bend toward the door.
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Old Sep 26, 2001 | 04:19 AM
  #8  
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From: Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
Car: 1988 IROC
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Axle/Gears: 2.77 9 Bolt
Okay, at least I'm not the only one who noticed this. Thaks 89Iroc-ZL98.
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Old Sep 26, 2001 | 11:22 AM
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My mom had an 87 t/a new from the factory and the drivers side door never quite lined up perfectly. It would scrape the back end of the rocker panel when you closed the door, like it was hang crooked. Manufacturing defect.

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=====================
1992 25th Anniversary z28 Convertible
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Old Dec 9, 2001 | 04:32 AM
  #10  
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From: Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
Car: 1988 IROC
Engine: B2L
Transmission: MD8
Axle/Gears: 2.77 9 Bolt
I spent a good part of a day trying to correct this door gap problem. I tried to get the rocker ground effect to line up properly. After all that effort, I only moved it 1/16 of an inch. Right now, the differnce is so subtle, but still hasn't made the door gap anywhere near perfect.

A day ago, I also noticed this same door gap problem on a '92 RS. He told me his RS was never in an accident and told me it was due to he body flex.

So I guess I'll just have to live with this and find SFC and weld them on.
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Old Dec 10, 2001 | 05:45 AM
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Before giving up. Check and see if the door hinges are worn out. It is easy to do, just open the door slightly, 3" or so. Then grasp the bottom rear of the door and lift it up and down. if you can detect any movement. then the hinges are worn.
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Old Oct 25, 2002 | 07:20 AM
  #12  
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From: Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
Car: 1988 IROC
Engine: B2L
Transmission: MD8
Axle/Gears: 2.77 9 Bolt
Driver's Side Rocker Ground Effect Separating

I know it's been a long time since the last post, but now I've noticed the rocker panels on both doors are seperating from the body. My driver's door gap is shrinking just like the passenger's side. I wish I had a picture to show.

I don't have frame connectors, but I'd sure like to get a pair.
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