Body Panel Alignment Tips

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bucket

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@squarelyfe I changed the thread title and stickied it too. Just wanted to point it out so you knew where to find your own thread.
 

Snoots

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Since I did this my striker is now off a little and will have to be readjusted.
See post #13.
What you've done looks spot on!
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LateOnTheBrakes

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I'm going through this right now and it's a bit of a nightmare. Getting the door to compress the weatherstripping is my issue for the moment. First question is does the fender or door have to be removed to install a new hinge spring? Trying to install a new one of those is what started my ordeal.
 

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According to the fored guy on the "front hinge spring replacement" thread you do ......but @shiftpro knows how to without taking anything apart!!!!
 

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According to the fored guy on the "front hinge spring replacement" thread you do ......but @shiftpro knows how to without taking anything apart!!!!
I have yet to take apart my ex's head.
 

shiftpro

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According to the fored guy on the "front hinge spring replacement" thread you do ......but @shiftpro knows how to without taking anything apart!!!!
I'm not the only one here... the other guy described the process better than I could have, because it's been a while. A big long flat screwdriver or prybar and a little hammer. Tap tap.. doink.. ! It's in! And then you go "dang that was easy".
 

LateOnTheBrakes

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I'm not the only one here... the other guy described the process better than I could have, because it's been a while. A big long flat screwdriver or prybar and a little hammer. Tap tap.. doink.. ! It's in! And then you go "dang that was easy".
I tried the prybar route the first go around and ended up yielding the spring.
 

LateOnTheBrakes

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The bent the fricken spring?
Yes. As far as I can tell. Afterwards it dropped into place easily and didn't keep the door open. I was using an 18-in snap-on breaker bar. I got a little aggressive at that point because of frustration.
 

squarelyfe

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I'm going through this right now and it's a bit of a nightmare. Getting the door to compress the weatherstripping is my issue for the moment. First question is does the fender or door have to be removed to install a new hinge spring? Trying to install a new one of those is what started my ordeal.
I bought new hinges for about $22 each x4 it's alot easier than trying to rebuild them with iffy results. I say that because the bushings don't always fit great which will further piss you off. The seals will take some time to soften up.
 

LateOnTheBrakes

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I ended up taking the door off again to change the spring. Didn't want to get frustrated and ruin a second one. Most of my gaps look fine. The only issue is the rear, top of the door sits too low. I think this was the first problem and solution that was discussed in the write up and involved adjusting the body side hinge. However, are all the rest of my gaps going to go to **** if I touch that hinge? To be clear, I have not touched the body side of the hinge on either door but the passenger side looks fine.

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Keith Seymore

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Bottom of the fender could come outboard a bit.

K
 

dvdswan

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Give it a fresh coat of camouflage and it will hide any imperfections. LOL

Gaps look nice and even
 

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