Broken Driver's door window frame

greghershner · 06-02-2009, 01:57 AM

Last night my 17 yo son was backing my car out of the garage so his topless Jeep could spend the night inside. He did not close the door completely and as he was crossing the threshhold of the garage the door swung open and hit the garage door frame. The frame that holds the window is now sprung, pushed forward so that I cannot close the door. the triangular glass is hanging b a thread and the back top window frame joint is broken.

We have already determined that it cannot simply be muscled back into shape. Will I need to buy an entire replacement door? Can just the top of the window frame be replaced? Could a body shop make repairs?

Thanks for your advice.

Ron.G · 06-02-2009, 02:04 AM

If you take the door panel off you can see the fasteners that hold in the window frame. there are a few (allen head) on the front top inside jamb and a few bolts on the back side of the door where the door latch is.
Take those out and the whole frame will lift out from the top. You can get another frame from a parts yard.

greghershner · 06-02-2009, 02:35 PM

OK Today I found a replacement frame. The body shop found one in Germany for only $2200 PLUS shipping!!!!!

I talked to Earl at Rothsport Racing (lw_dog on eBay) in OR and he has one $100 plus shipping and can even match the aging/oxidation.

Whew-hoo!!

Saved enough to justify suspension upgrades!

Tigerrat · Tigerrat's Garage

What about the dismantler in Rocky Mount? dcautomotive?

criv911 · 06-02-2009, 06:00 PM

My son did the same exact thing. I got one for 75.00 . So 100.00 is about right.

greghershner · 06-03-2009, 02:17 AM

Is your son still in your will? ;^)

Mine was prepared to work off the cost but about had a heart attack at the $2200 price tag! I remembered I crushed in the back end of my dad's Opel GT at 17 and he did not make me pay. I subsequently totalled it and lived to tell about it!

No harm done, but I reminded him he will hopefully have sons one day, and he will have to cover their expenses!

911pcars · 06-03-2009, 08:22 AM

I hope the frame is the only thing that's tweaked. I would suggest removing the window frame, then confirm the door remains aligned with the opening. If it's not, you must investigate the area where the sheet metal is distorted; door and/or chassis (door jamb). If the door is distorted, it might be cheaper to replace the entire door, complete with window guts.

Sherwood

criv911 · 06-03-2009, 11:37 AM

My best friend [also a Porsche nut] saved my son's life that day. He reminded me that it was only a car after all. There are more important things in life.