1997 993 NB Coupe...57,000+ miles...No accidents and no paint/body work other than a bumper reapray I had done last summer.

Issue:
When I open the driver's side door, it drops ever so slightly as the latch leaves the carrier and raises ever so slightly when the door is closed. The driver's side door is requires noticably more force to close competely than does the passenger's side door.

There is evidence that the bolts securing the door hinges to the A-pillar have been loosened in that the bolt heads have paint chipped off them from a socket being applied to them.

There is no evidence of excessive wear on either the latch or the carrier.

Any ideas/advice regarding how to remedy this other than going to a body shop?

Thanks,
Terry

 

When the door is shut, are the panel gaps even?
If yes, it is pretty easy to adjust the door latch on the jamb. Just loosen the bolts a bit. It takes very little movement to get it lined up... and patience.

I am not familiar with the hinge side.

 

[QUOTE=MarkD;5298814]When the door is shut, are the panel gaps even?
If yes, it is pretty easy to adjust the door latch on the jamb. Just loosen the bolts a bit. It takes very little movement to get it lined up... and patience.QUOTE]

Mark,

Yeah, the gaps are even when the door is latched...That's why I'm reluctant to move the latch...Moving the latch from it's current position would caused misalignment of the gaps.

It's almost as if the pins in the hinges are worn and are allowing the door to sag when it's opened.

Terry

 

With the door barely open, lift up and down by grasping the bottom of it. You should be able to detect movement at the hinges if this is the problem. If you can't be sure, get a second set of eyes to watch the hinges but usually if there is play, you will feel it. Personally my experience is that the hinges are pretty hard material and I've not seen play in any of my 911s. I suspect you have hinges that someone messed up.

If that doesn't appear to be the problem then it looks like you need to adjust the hinges, since as you have surmised, if the door gaps are correct when closed this it is the latch that is lifting up the door as it shuts.

If you want to find out how much misalignment you have, mark the current position of the latch with a grease pencil either by tracing around it or making index marks at 12, 3 and 6 o'clock, loosen the latch and move it to where it lines up with the catch on the door. Then gently push the door up to the latch and see if it closes or how far off the door seams are. The latch should not really play any part in door alignment, it should only be there to hold the door shut.

 

Thanks Roger...I'll take a closer look.

Terry

 

You're welcome. Yell if you want more info or tips on aligning it.

 

On my old 83SC, the door hinges have bronze liners in them and they can be rebuilt. I suspect the same goes for the 993 since the hinges look the same. A regular maintenance item is to oil the hinges, if not they will run dry and the steel pin will wear against the bronze sleeve. To rebush them is a bit of work since the bushings from Porsche are oversized and you have to ream the hinges out....not for the fient hearted let me tell you. However, with the right drill/reamers you can get all the slop out. Then its time to make sure the latch is aligned properly.

I friend of mine had an early SC and the hinges were so worn the hole for the hinge pin was oval.

Cheers,

Mike

 

Roger-

I have 993 Turbo and the panel gaps are not even. Its much wider by the handle. How can I correct? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks