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Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 01:26 AM
  #1  
JuggernautOfWar's Avatar
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From: Oregon
Car: 1982 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: Chevy Performance 350
Transmission: Turbo 350
Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

Picture of the door.

My Camaro has been hit in the passenger door. Both locks and handles still work fine and the door opens/closes solidly. Haven't yet tried rolling (manual doors) the window down, but I don't think it'd be wise.

So how bad is this damage? Like I said everything inside the door still works including the exterior keyhole. It'll rust if I just leave it, and it looks terrible. I am planning to get my car repainted, but that has to wait since it costs a whole lot.

Do I need to get a new door, or what? If so, where do you recommend getting one? My local junkyard has nothing, I checked.

Last edited by JuggernautOfWar; Jun 2, 2014 at 02:51 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 02:44 AM
  #2  
paulo57509's Avatar
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From: Tracy, CA
Car: '87 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

That just sucks.

Is there damage to the jamb on the body side where the striker bolt is?

I think I'd just replace the door. But I'm no body expert. Keep looking at the yards, Craigslist, etc. for a replacement.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 02:49 AM
  #3  
JuggernautOfWar's Avatar
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From: Oregon
Car: 1982 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: Chevy Performance 350
Transmission: Turbo 350
Re: Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

Door jamb seems to be in good shape still. Like I said it still closes and everything just fine. It's actually more solid than my driver door since my driver side is in need of new weatherstripping and spacers.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 02:53 AM
  #4  
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From: Mattoon Il.
Car: 1989 IROC-Z / T-Top -1987 GTA
Engine: 305 (LO3) _350 (L98)
Transmission: 700R4 _ 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 L.S. - ???
Re: Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

if you have the needed skills, grind the skin off, straighten out the door frame and the skin, and weld it back on, fill the fine spots left with good body filler, and repaint the door

Last edited by Barlow8869; Jun 2, 2014 at 02:56 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 04:26 AM
  #5  
JuggernautOfWar's Avatar
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From: Oregon
Car: 1982 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: Chevy Performance 350
Transmission: Turbo 350
Re: Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

Unfortunately I lack space, tools, and experience to do any of that Barlow.

Fortunately I have a family member who offered to help out with the repairs financially if required. I don't know if I should get a new door and swap my doors insides or what to do. It's tricky since my junkyard doesn't have any third gens with good passenger doors.

My whole car will be repainted in the future so if I get a new door with mismatched paint it's not a huge deal.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 05:55 AM
  #6  
Ron U.S.M.C.'s Avatar
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From: Northern, CA
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

A new door is what I would do.

If you're planning to eventually have the car painted the last thing I would want is a door that has been damaged to that extent.

Reason being is the doors are heavy and when you close them, at least mine do, require a pretty good slam.

IMO body filler might be ok on a different spot on the car but not the doors.

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; Jun 2, 2014 at 06:02 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 02:48 PM
  #7  
JuggernautOfWar's Avatar
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From: Oregon
Car: 1982 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: Chevy Performance 350
Transmission: Turbo 350
Re: Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

Where is a good place to find a door?
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 02:51 PM
  #8  
IROZINCO's Avatar
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From: Colorado
Re: Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

any junkyard. They don't make full skins for these doors, my door was badly dented, and the cheapest thing turned out to be get a good door and transfer parts.
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Old Jun 3, 2014 | 01:29 AM
  #9  
Spaceboy1980's Avatar
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From: TN
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: L31
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Passenger door damaged in hit and run! I'd like some advice.

Check car-part.com for a door. It is like a junkyard search that you can sort by location.
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