Targa door alignment

[lesworth]

My drivers door doesn't shut as well as the passenger door (springiness and alignment). From what I can tell the top of the triangle door window (forgive me not knowing the correct term!) fouls slightly on the door / windscreen seal and the front of the door capping also looks like its fouling on the seal. I gues with most targa's of this age, the seal has been replaced at some point and maybe not fitted correctly. How adjustable is the seal? Would it be easy to 'seperate' just the affected area and re-glue?

Also, when closed, the door sits proud about 1/8 of an inch. Could this be the seals or perhaps the striker plate could be adjusted to remedy?

Any thoughts or similar experiences most welcome...

 

[tripe]

Your door can be adjusted by moving the striker plate and/or by inserting/removing shims behind the striker plate. More adjustment is available by inserting/removing shims behind the hinge plates on the 'A' post. Shims of varying thickness should be readily available from your OPC at modest cost. The problem with Targas is that the body can sag over time so adjustment may be required just to accomodate this.

If you plan on having a go at this yourself beware, undoing the hinge bolts (which you need to do to insert the shims on the 'A' post) leaves the door free to move of its own volition. A 911 door fully trimmed is very heavy (remember there's also the weight of the glass, window motor, mirror etc etc) so unless you strip the door first it's essentially a two man job. If you're not careful a door with a mind of its own can easily scratch paintwork on its journey south (and the trailing edge of the front wing is particularly vulnerable).

Only attempt adjustments with the car level - if it's jacked up the body will probably flex and any adjustments done when it's jacked up will probably be 'out' when the car is returned to level.

In any event adjustment will involve a fair degree of trial and error, my advice would be to try and find a bodyshop with experience in regapping older 911 doors and then offer someone there a drink to do it for you.

Hope this helps.

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

first look at the vertical gaps either side of the door to the a /b post...(rear of front wing/front of rear wing). are these parallel? how bout the curved section of the door at the front and the gap to the front wing? Does this look simular to the vertical gaps already mentioned?

Then check the other door for same. If all is in order, the problem that you probably have, is the the window frames have been moved/adjusted. This can be because over the years as the original seals have either compacted or perished, the wind noise has increased or even allowed water to penetrate.

Basically, all our 911's have the same door. then the window framework is bolted on.
Both the height and the rake is adjustable for a snug fit, and with the flex in a targa/convertible, cars of our age need a custom fit.

When you refer to seals, I'm assuming your refering to the seal that travels around the
a/b pillars and the floor sill. If this seal has been replaced check that it has been fitted correctly...sometime coupe seals are used and cut to length, as in the case of my car
the seal was fitted incorrectly.

Good luck...or email me separately if you want to discuss further.