Drivers door sagging

wishingwelljohn · 25-04-2013, 22:52

Hi all. just bought a 1999 Terrano. generally pretty chuffed with the car, first non Landrover 4 x 4 I've had..... my drivers door has dropped a bit. Any suggestions from experienced owners on simple fix? I've looked at hinges and can't see an obvious adjustment.
Thanks

solarman216 · 25-04-2013, 22:58

Hi and welcome, the hinges on my 98 are adjustable, open the door fully and you should see 3 bolts on each hinge, not easy to get onto, best use 1/4 drive socket, Rick

rustic · 26-04-2013, 08:25

Open the door slightly, lift and lower, how much play is there in the hinges? if some, it might be the hinge pins that are thinning out.

If they are well greased and maintained they generally last the life of the vehicle, but clearly the drivers door takes the most wear.
If the is no play, and there is no sign of the hinge having been disturbed then there could have been some damage to that area.

You could shim out the lower hinge or adjust as Rick says.

Should be an open and shut case, don't get unhinged about it.

best regards,

Rustic

jims-terrano · 26-04-2013, 09:47

Mine are the same, the door does lift as Rustic say's and it knocks like hell as I'm driving. I got a pair of hinges but not fitted yet. When I worked at Nissan dealers years ago the old Bluebirds did the same but Nissan brought out a fix. The fix was a thin disc of brass with a cross shape cut in the centre. The mechanics removed one pin at a time and slipped one or two of these shims into the hinge and then replaced the pins. I went into a dealer and quoted the part number but was told they are too small but I've toyed with the idea of trying to make my own because it's easier than trying to remove rusty old bolts.

Dynamics · 26-04-2013, 19:16

Hello and welcome. I am wishing you well John, I hope you get it sorted...

25-04-2013, 22:52	#1
wishingwelljohn Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: merseyside Vehicle: Nissan Terrano 2.7 1999 Posts: 2	Drivers door sagging Hi all. just bought a 1999 Terrano. generally pretty chuffed with the car, first non Landrover 4 x 4 I've had..... my drivers door has dropped a bit. Any suggestions from experienced owners on simple fix? I've looked at hinges and can't see an obvious adjustment. Thanks

25-04-2013, 22:58	#2
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,323	Hi and welcome, the hinges on my 98 are adjustable, open the door fully and you should see 3 bolts on each hinge, not easy to get onto, best use 1/4 drive socket, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

26-04-2013, 08:25	#3
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	Open the door slightly, lift and lower, how much play is there in the hinges? if some, it might be the hinge pins that are thinning out. If they are well greased and maintained they generally last the life of the vehicle, but clearly the drivers door takes the most wear. If the is no play, and there is no sign of the hinge having been disturbed then there could have been some damage to that area. You could shim out the lower hinge or adjust as Rick says. Should be an open and shut case, don't get unhinged about it. best regards, Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

26-04-2013, 09:47	#4
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Mine are the same, the door does lift as Rustic say's and it knocks like hell as I'm driving. I got a pair of hinges but not fitted yet. When I worked at Nissan dealers years ago the old Bluebirds did the same but Nissan brought out a fix. The fix was a thin disc of brass with a cross shape cut in the centre. The mechanics removed one pin at a time and slipped one or two of these shims into the hinge and then replaced the pins. I went into a dealer and quoted the part number but was told they are too small but I've toyed with the idea of trying to make my own because it's easier than trying to remove rusty old bolts.

26-04-2013, 19:16	#5
Dynamics Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Nelson's County Vehicle: TERRANO SWB 2.4 Petrol Posts: 568	Hello and welcome. I am wishing you well John, I hope you get it sorted...