Dilemma - 1990S2 Door previous repair

[WCN621]

When I bought the 944, there was a hairline crack in the door. Obviously a previous repair. As I’ve driven it in last few weeks, it has opened up and is noticeable. There is also a dent in the door near the crack, and so initiates my dilemma.

Do I replace the door, as it looks like they’ve gotten cheaper than having the body work done? Will that create any issues down the line? Is it easier to do that if I do it myself or do I just buck up and have the door repaired?

Looking for your experienced opinions! 😉

[walfreyydo]

If you can post a photo it will help immensely in assessing the severity of the issue and potential for repair vs replacement.

[kdjones2000]

Removing the window wiring can be tricky, short of cutting the loom and rewiring it.

Get an extraction tool to remove the individual wires - cleaner and easier.

[wwdwgs]

I second kdjones2000. Those connectors are old and dirty, spray them with WD-39.

[WCN621]

Couple of pics. Dent (hard to see in garage). 2nd pic shows bondo crack and expansion.

[WCN621]

[Monkey Wrench]

if you can get the same color and it matches, you might be ahead, Id comparte the price of that ves the bodywork.. Im thinking i could change a door in a day but to do any bodywork , straightening and repainting, i would expect more than a day, maybe several.

how much will you spend on either? I can see you spending two or three hundred on bodyshop stufff, bondo, putty ,maybe epoxy, high build primer, paint with your mix, clearcoat,sandpaper , etc etc.
i think either way you are likely to come out with a difference in color, even just due to fade etc. if you hire a bodyshop they can definitely do it a lot faster and et the paint match more accurate than I could at home.. and a door may not be the first thing a a guy wrecking one has demand for.

a lot of people neglect to oil the hinges , then the door drops when you open it, you may adjust somewhat, with a new door you are into trying your best to get it to align. if you are fussy about the gaps then maybe fixing the door avoids some of that..

on other cars Ive rebuilt my hinges, re drilled, larger pins, to take up any slop. grabbing he door when open and shaking it up and down may reveal if the hinges are worn out due to negelect of lube.

I broke a hood hinge of once, cursed myself as it caused a situation I could have so easily avoided. grease your hinge pins and all pivots too. If you do you will never see a broken hinge and if one breaks its a real pain in the arse as you can't close it and you really need a helper to even take it off.