Doors aren't quite flush when closed

[cantdrv55]

This has bugged me ever since I first washed the car after I bought it. The doors aren't quite flush when they're closed but they latch just fine. It's hardly noticeable but bugs me nonetheless. This is on both doors so I do not believe it's due to a past collision. The car is a targa. Do you think it has to do with body flex, just worn hinges or an adjustment to the latch?

[ianc]

Targas are notoriously flexie. It should be fairly easy to adjust. The striker plates on the body have 12-points that you can loosen to make the adjustment. Use a pencil or some such to mark the existing location, loosen the 12 points 'til they're snug and tap the striker plates with a rubber mallet to move them. Retighten one or two and check door fit. Repeat until satisfied.

ianc

[450knotOffice]

You may be able to adjust the shut position of the doors by adjusting the placement of the striker plates on the B-pillars. Loosen them up and slide them inboard ever so slightly. This should pull them in slightly.

[sfmlaw17]

Or you could do what the bonehead PO did on my car. Instead of simply moving the striker plates inward to adjust the door, he simply had the body shop bondo the quarter panel out about 1/4" thick to make it flush with the door.

[bkreigsr]

Invest in one of the 12 pt drivers that our host sells. They are $32, but the consequences of ruining the bolts are huge. Do the adjustments gradually over time, so that the door seals will have time to re-profile themselves to the tighter fit. Otherwise you will have to slam the doors really hard (bad) to close. good luck