Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: AdelaidePagoda on April 07, 2022, 11:14:32

Title: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: AdelaidePagoda on April 07, 2022, 11:14:32

Doors stick and need a firm shoulder to open from the inside.
What is the best way to free them up?

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: Pawel66 on April 07, 2022, 11:33:01

Adjust door to chassis and then adjust locks?

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: Cees Klumper on April 07, 2022, 13:24:11

Hope the hinges are not frozen/binding, check that also. I believe they can be lubricated.

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: Pawel66 on April 07, 2022, 14:08:52

Yes, you need a special greaser fitting for that, cone-like. Something like this: https://archiwum.allegro.pl/oferta/koncowka-stozkowa-do-smarownic-neo-11-535-i5566351799.html

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: kampala on April 07, 2022, 15:38:52

If the sticking is only for the first release and then okay - on the door jam, there is a metal/rubber cylinder tube that the door coned pin goes into. Clean this cylinder and the pin fully.   Degrease it.  Then try the door.  If it works, then apply some thin lubricant to the pin. 

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: AdelaidePagoda on April 14, 2022, 11:43:23

Brilliant, thanks everyone for your responses. I will try all suggestions this weekend.

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: Cees Klumper on April 14, 2022, 12:13:25

One more tip from my own experience last week on my Triumph Spotfire, whose passenger door was also hard to open, is applying penetrant (I used PB Blaster) on the hinges. After a day or two the binding went away completely.

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: ja17 on April 15, 2022, 02:59:33

Sometimes the receiver on the door jamb needs adjusted. Loosen all three adjustment screws (please use a correct screwdriver or bit #3 phillips), then snug them up a bit, close the door (this will align the receiver since it is just snug and can move). Open the door and tighten down all three screws completely. Use some grease inside the receiver hole. If this procedure does not solve the problem try adding a shim under the receiver. Notice most of the receivers are adjusted with shims at the factory. Sometimes they are left out during repairs or restoration.  Adjust as described above after adding the shim.

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: cabrioletturbo on April 24, 2022, 01:03:18

with ja17 on this one.

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: AdelaidePagoda on April 24, 2022, 12:56:39

Thanks all, a combination of all suggestions worked perfectly, grease, adjustments and shims. They open nicely, now if I can only work out how to fix the squeak in the passenger door hinge when opening and closing……😀

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: Cees Klumper on April 24, 2022, 13:00:23

PB Blaster on my door hinge cured squeek. Good luck, almost there!

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: Pawel66 on April 24, 2022, 13:16:16

Quote from: AdelaidePagoda on April 24, 2022, 12:56:39

Thanks all, a combination of all suggestions worked perfectly, grease, adjustments and shims. They open nicely, now if I can only work out how to fix the squeak in the passenger door hinge when opening and closing……😀

As Cees said, you need to grease the hinges. A particular fitting is required, discussed here on the forum.

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: AdelaidePagoda on April 24, 2022, 13:51:17

PB Blaster is not available in Australia. I will use WD40 which is the nearest I can readily source and have on hand.  Drip feeding this into the hinges will work, I just need to be patient as I do not have the greaser tool Pawel referenced. Thanks for your advice.

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: Pawel66 on April 24, 2022, 15:35:54

IMHO the WD40 solution is just temporary, but I may be wrong.

The fitting is nothing special, I think most of the hardware stores should have it. In this example the price of ca $10 is for 5 pcs: https://allegro.pl/oferta/koncowka-smarownicy-stozkowa-ostra-m10x1-umeta-5sz-11676482468

True that you may need a stiff pipe (instead of flexible hose) for the greasing gun to press against the zerk in the hinge. But it may not be necessary, I am not sure.

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: ja17 on April 25, 2022, 04:08:43

Try this, very nice for the price and very similar to original but is plastic instead of steel. The price is right. It has the correct tip and is loaded with quality synthetic grease. I have used these for years. Most likely you can get it at a store near you or you can order it on line. It is made in Germany !
https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-26365-Chainsaw-Grease-Gun/dp/B00004RA7R/ref=asc_df_B00004RA7R?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79852084166569&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583451663428798&psc=1

Title: Re: How do you free up doors that stick and are hard to open?
Post by: AdelaidePagoda on April 26, 2022, 03:31:38

Brilliant, this can be sourced locally and I am sure it will come in handy in other locations of the car. Interestingly the squeak is coming from more than one location. The visible door hinge which is easily accessible and the inner door hinge (behind the leather door panel). This is more awkward to address as it is not easily accessible. I will persist with the WD40 as the long straw like nozzle gives me access to that region.
I am not adverse to the squeak, it is part joy of these cars as they reminder tou of their age every time you open and close the door 😀
Thanks Joe!