➔HANDS ON
DON’T COME
UNHINGED!
26 CAR CRAFT AUGUST 2019
How to Install New Hinges and Adjust Door Gaps
on a 1969 Camaro
I
nstalling doors and hinges seems
simple enough. After all, the work can
be done with basic handtools.
Removing and installing the door is
easy, but it’s when you get into the
adjustments that the simple stuff ends,
and it can get complicated. Our project
is a 1969 Camaro RS that is undergoing
a total restoration. We’re replacing many
of the body panels on the car, including
the passenger-side quarter-panel, the
driver door, and the door hinges.
Because we need to replace the
passenger-side quarter-panel, it’s
essential that the passenger door line
up correctly before the quarter-panel is
removed. This door will be the main
reference for lining up the new quarter-
panel. The original factory panel gaps
on these cars were horrible. Plus, years
of torque and gravity have caused the
cars to sag. Adjusting the door gaps
on an older vehicle is an exercise in
patience and finesse.Try to have a helper when removing
and installing the door. (You can do it on
your own, especially if the door doesn’t
have the glass, regulator, or hardware in
place.) Our 1969 Camaro doors are bare
of any window assemblies and are easy
for one person to handle. You can also
use a floor jack to help with the door.
Start by taking a close look at the
existing door gaps and measure them.
Also note how far the door tilts in or
out. Take photos so you can refer to
them later. If the fenders are in place,
remove them. Work on one side at a
time. Have a panel stand or saw horses
ready for the door being removed.
Using a pencil, draw a line along the
top edge of each hinge on the body of
the car. This will be used for reference
only. The new hinge will likely end up in
a different position.
Once the door is off the car and on
the panel stand, draw a line around
each hinge on the door and removethem. To access the bolts on the lower
hinge, use a long screwdriver or pry bar
to open and close the hinge. To help the
bolts move freely, use a tap to chase
and clean the bolt holes on the door
and body. You’ll be making many fine
adjustments, so having clean threads
makes it easier to turn the bolts. Clean
the bolts using a wire wheel. We had to
make some adjustments to one of the
new NPD hinges by opening up one of
the mounting holes. Now install the
new hinges on the door. Don’t tighten
the bolts down all the way. The bolts
are only snugged—just secure enough
to hold the hinges in place once the
door is installed.
If the door striker is in place, remove
it. You don’t want the striker support-
ing the door. Make sure the door align-
ment is correct, then install the striker
and adjust it to fit the door alignment.
That way, the striker won’t pop the
door up or down.By JoAnn Bortles / Photos: JoAnn Bortles