Door shim, install questions/help!

[Deadman 94 xj]

I'm trying to install a new to me door on my 2dr 96 cherokee. I got the original shims in and the door is bolted back on but I'll be damned if I can get it to line up straight.

I tried using a highlift to hold the door in place while I tightend the bolts but no luck.

Is this just one of those PITA things or is there a trick to it? More shims maybe?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Matthew Currie]

There are a lot of variables here, depending on the shape of the door, the shape of the jamb, and the sag of the hinges. It might depend a little on why you had to replace the door in the first place.

Especially on a 2-door, you might be fighting hinge wear, and if so, it can help to remove the top shim altogether and add it to the bottom to counteract the sag, or to add another shim but only on the bottom. Make sure you get the door pushed far enough flush with the fender also, so that it doesn't catch the fender edge when opening. Usually if you can get an even joint at the front, you'll be most of the way there, unless your frame is tweaked, but you might have to add a couple of shims to bring the whole door back far enough to hit the striker right.

Also remember that if you get the sheet metal part of the door lined up but the window frame isn't shutting flush, it might just need a bit of bending back. Don't sacrifice panel fit for window fit, because the window frames can get pushed out with age and use, and it's usually part of the alignment process to bend the frame in a bit for final fit.

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

Thanks for the reply. You brought up a few good points that I didn't think about. One being pull the top shim and fit it with the bottom. I also may need to push it more flush with the fender. I'll give it a go.

As it sits, it meets the striker but it's a little rough. That and the rear portion is sagging. It feels like I can lift up on it and get it to line up, even with the bolts being tight. The hinges are in good shape I think I just need to make up some of the "play" with shims.

 

[grimah1w]

There are a lot of variables here, depending on the shape of the door, the shape of the jamb, and the sag of the hinges. It might depend a little on why you had to replace the door in the first place.

Especially on a 2-door, you might be fighting hinge wear, and if so, it can help to remove the top shim altogether and add it to the bottom to counteract the sag, or to add another shim but only on the bottom. Make sure you get the door pushed far enough flush with the fender also, so that it doesn't catch the fender edge when opening. Usually if you can get an even joint at the front, you'll be most of the way there, unless your frame is tweaked, but you might have to add a couple of shims to bring the whole door back far enough to hit the striker right.

Also remember that if you get the sheet metal part of the door lined up but the window frame isn't shutting flush, it might just need a bit of bending back. Don't sacrifice panel fit for window fit, because the window frames can get pushed out with age and use, and it's usually part of the alignment process to bend the frame in a bit for final fit.

Do you have any hints or recommendations on "bending" the door frame?

I have a 1990 XJ (4 door) that seems to have just a bit of gap at upper rear portion of passenger door. Enough so that door to weatherstrip seal is not perfect...allows water past seal if sprayed with hose...not good. I have moved the strike pin on the pillar inward about 1/16th of an inch to get tighter seal but not sure that is enough...that adjustment to the fwd passenger door seems to interfere a bit with rear door opening now... Advice?

 

[kastein]

Sit in the seat... roll window down... open the door... place knee on arm rest. Grab the top of the door where it's not seating properly and pull toward you semi-gently. Try closing the door, if it's good, leave it alone, if it isn't, try again!

Kinda ghetto, but worked for me after a couple runs in the woods and getting t-boned by an 89 grand marquis tweaked the hell out of my jeep.