965 Overextended door... sigh

[sanfelice]

I have done this before with worse consequences, but...

the door on my 1996 wagon was ajar and I put the car in neutral to slide down my drive a bit. well, the door caught the edge of some railroad tie and jammed. not too bad, but about 90 degrees to the car, definitely too far.

apparently, the uppermost hinge has bent back from the body panel, leaving a few mm gap. now, the door still closes and it seems in fine horizontal line, but there is a gap at the handle, where it meets the rear door.

what are my options for adjustment?

and, how would i remove that upper hinge to correct the problem for good?

thanks

[JDS60R]

Best to remove the door and fix the pillar and hings so things line up. If lucky the hinge is bent and can be replaced. ( Salvage ones are cheap) .

[JDS60R]

The "A" pillar would have received the bend if the hinge did not fail.
Here are some guides to help.

If not handy - body shops do this all the time.

[sanfelice]

thanks a bunch.

however, any schematic for removing the hinge from the body side? i know how to remove the door itself, it's quite easy, but the body side hinge is bolted from somewhere in the bowels of the upper dash/windshield area.

thanks.

[sanfelice]

ah, ok, I see, they say "remove A-post side panel"

i will try that.