targa door adjustment

[JTL]

My -84 targa was repainted last winter. We ended up doing a slight adjustment of the door striker plates to get a perfect profile when the doors are closed. As time goes on, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to unlatch the doors. In fact the left side inside door handle clip broke off last week because of the hard pull. The doors shut nicely and the only new seal is on the targa bar. I'd love to get the door to operate smoothly again.

I have taken the door panels off a few times and detested every bit of the job. Now it looks like I have to do it again.

jt
-84 targa

[sagacis]

Time for an upgrade to aluminum handles!

I have had the same problem with difficult doors. I haven't tackled it yet because nobody rides in the passenger side very often. I'll be watching this thread expectantly.

[Oldporsche]

I will be doing a door adjustment soon on my '75.

The hinge pins are worn out and the base of the hinges has been shimmed a lot.

I will first make a door cradle to use my floor jack as a holder for my door while the thing is off the car.

David Duffield

[jason2guy]

just get the right star socket, got mine at a VW parts place, and fiddle with the striker plate location till its good. just to let you know, its pretty hard to get perfect. just get it where you can live with it

[Pat Crellin]

Regarding the hard pull on the inside handle, it may be nothing more than a good lube job.
I was convinced the door linkage was causing my increasingly difficult door pull.
I sprayed a white lithium grease everywhere something moved inside. It took a couple of times but now my door opens like new. There's probably a better grease than what I used.
And yes, if you haven't replaced the plastic door handles with the aluminum ones, you need to. Every 911 owner with plastic door handles needs to replace them immediately.

[JTL]

I installed the alum handles below a long time ago. The creat appealed to me for some reason. Now I need to replace the plastic clip that holds the metal rod in the handle.


Thanks for the tips. I will try to fiddle with the stiker plate. Maybe it needs a slight adjustment. The linkage is getting some lube too.
Before the paint job the door wasn't exactly flush when closed but it opened and closed well. I could still tell a difference between the driver and passenger doors though. Pass door was always very solid click - thunk but the driver's door was a little less so. Maybe it's had more use over the years?!

jt

[JTL]

I had a chance last nite to remove the driver's side door panel and spray lubricant on the door latch mechanism. Now the door pops open beautifully and effortlessly; I can't believe it!
Previously I couldn't even open the door without giving it a little push in while sqeezing the handle.

I sidetracked from this project by fixing 2 items around the steering column. 1. brights would come on from even the slightest touch of the stalk; needed to fiddle/bend switch contacts. 2. turn signal wouldn't cancel; reposition cancel tab wheel on backside of steering wheel.

The door is still apart and need to be reassembled. The passenger door needs lube also. The project list is long but most items are minor and cosmetic.

See Ya, jt

[silverc4s]

JT,
You might want to install the "Sucro Relay" kit in your headlamp circuit. Those contacts in the column will just keep sticking now, otherwise.

Do a search here to see more about it.

[JTL]

I should have done this a long time ago. I remember Mark from the Porschefans list! There was a discussion going on about what was needed for a relay kit and then shortly after he started marketing the Sucro kit.

I haven't though about this project too much since installing the h4's. I guess it would be cool to be able to use some 80/100 bulbs?!

Thanks for reminding me of this!

jt
formerly EE and computer programmer
currently financial/investment consultant