fitting window sides

[the loon]

another plea for help I'm afraid.
Have taken off my van sides and foor today to fit my window sides and roof but have hit a snag.
Now that have taken off roof/sides  driver and passengers doors will not align properly to shut.
They will shut so far but locks will not properly engage.
does anyone have any idears as to how can sort this ?

[Trouble]

could try loosening the front side of the hinges and see if theres enough play there to take it up

[the loon]

could try loosening the front side of the hinges and see if theres enough play there to take it up

thanks for sudgestion but theres not that much play in the entire vechical as are missaligning by about 5-10mm and banging on the frames

[matthew]

Sounds to me like the vehicle has sagged in the middle. You could try putting a jack underneath it on the chassis somewhere.

I'd check the chassis fairly carefully to try and find why it has done this, the roof shouldn't be adding much if any strength.  Afterall a canvas doesn't.

[TechnoTurkey]

I would agree, it sounds very much like the vehicle has bowed in the middle when you took the roof off - really doesnt sound too good for your chassis!

Get a straight edge and make sure that your sills are correctly aligned, also smack your chassis all over with a hammer, if it makes a dull thud not a metallic bang then you know that you have problems. :(

[the loon]

chasis should be fine as have just had MOT'ed (passed on friday)
Has also just been serviced buy reputable independant lany specialists.
Have spoken with them to day and they seem to think its because roof and sides have been taken off. This causes windscreen to fold back into cab as it where
there advice was to get doors closed if possable and keep it that way untill can fit new cab(hopefully this weekend)

[matthew]

So how do the so called specialists explain the fact that the only difference between a LR with a tin roof and one with a canvas is the lack of a rigid roof?

Both of mine with canvas roofs have no problem with doors shutting, in fact the one that is in the garage hasn't even had hood sticks on it for 12 months.

Try putting a jack under the gearbox crossmember and jacking it up to see if it makes a difference.

[ian_s]

this happens on mine, but to a much lesser extent, only 2 or 3mm
i took the roof off a while ago, and when i went to put it back on, i had to push the windscreen forwards about 5mm before i could get the bolts back in.
then the doors lined up again.

its an old car, it will flex. try jacking up one corner, even with the roof on, and see if the doors close properly. :)

[hobbit]

You could try too slacken the tub mounting bolts, to reset itself

My tailgate is a sod for not slotting in right

[the loon]

thanks to everyone for there advice.

Problem is now sorted. When took van roof/sides off has caused bodywork to sag inwards in cab thus pushing doors out of line (chasis is fine thank god)
This happens basicly because theres less support to take up windcreen weight.
Have put jack under door posts and lifted body work up slightly so now doors are closed (ok so there REALLY are closed as cant open them at all)
going to get truck cab hopefully tomorrow so should sort it as will ack as additional brace to stop windscreen saging inwards if that make sence

Took her out this evening when got home from work just to run the engine as had been standing all week
Got some smiles as shes now convertable and was really nice in the evening sun.
may stay as a convertable

 :lol:

[hobbit]

Take the door windows off, and just run with the door bottoms on, looks even better

[the loon]

Take the door windows off, and just run with the door bottoms on, looks even better

yeah would but have fitted a couple of old transit wing mirrors on door tops as was cheeper to get them from breakers than buying defender mirrors to go on hinges after some little scumbags snapped them off

[ukmudmaster]

If its old enough, it may not need door mirrors, youre MOT man will be able to tell you!
My late S2 was excempt.
Dave

[the loon]

If its old enough, it may not need door mirrors, youre MOT man will be able to tell you!
My late S2 was excempt.
Dave

thanks Dave but pased MOT last week(failed 1st attempt on 3 minor faults) so am spending money on her again
think I'll leave it open top for now as weather is fine and am putting tarpalin on at night.
Mind you may have to clean up the road outside my back gate as looks like exxon have been parked up there now

 :(