Misaligned Front Driver's Door

[UlleB]

Hi everyone

I noticed something strange going on with a front door on my Avensis T27 Estate. The driver side door seems pushed in on the left side (looking from the side) even though it is sitting flush with the rear door to the right. There's a noticeable gap. The passenger side does not have a big gap and sits flush with the panels on all sides. 

Is there some sort of adjustment here I can make myself? What would cause a door to be tucked too far this way? I don't know if you can tell on the pictures but here goes. You can also tell by looking at the trim which is flush on the passenger side but far from it on the driver's side. 

Passenger side first for comparison: https://imgur.com/RCCDyEj

Driver's side where the problem is: https://imgur.com/a/DdsNIFs

Thanks.

 

[Shared]

You might try moving the striker plate out a little, this vid shows a 2004 model but I imagine the principle is much the same.

 

 

[Derek.w]

Ulirk,

Striker plate may help but looking at the silver trim door looks high have you suffered any accident damage?.

[UlleB]

Thanks both of you. I wonder if the door striker has any adjustment options or not but we will see. 

I was told by the seller that it had been in a minor accident and after the accident the left rear door was replaced. That door has no issues. But I wonder if part of the front door was also pushed around in the accident or if they tampered with the driver's door to align the new replacement door or something.

This is mostly a cosmetic issue as it stands since I'm not experiencing major issues related to it, it just doesn't look right and if it was an easy fix I would take care of it. Otherwise it'll have to wait until next visit at the mechanic somewhere down the line.

[Shared]

YW :), looking again the chrome trim looks like it might have been off at some point, can't tell if it's marked or reflections, I'm on my 1st Toyota so my experience is nil but I know that on BMW's if that trim is removed, typically to replace broken glass and/or a regulator they rarely go back on perfectly unless you're very very careful when removing them.

I'm almost certain there will be some adjustment available, and it's a pretty simple job, just use tape or a fine liner to mark the position before loosening anything, you could also look then to see if there's any evidence of it already being moved.

Anyway, good luck if you decide to have a go.

[DerekHa]

Hi Ulrik,

Adjustment of the striker plate may solve your problem but looking at that last image it seems to me that the vertical gap between the door and the panel is wider at the top of the door than at the bottom. Hopefully this is an optical effect cause by the angel the photograph was taken at. If that gap narrows at the bottom of the door and panel then something else is going on with the body on that side.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Just a thought - have you checked the driver's door for cracks by the hinges - see:

 

[UlleB]

Thanks guys. I will take a look at the situation including cracked hinges. If I want to bring the door outwards at the front then my logic tells me I would need to bring the door striker, which is located on the opposite side of the gap, ever so slightly inwards and not outwards, is this correct?

[DerekHa]

Agree with your logic on adjusting the striker plate Ulrik but having read some of what Frostyballs has pointed you towards I would be checking the door hinges for signs of cracks forming/progressing.

Hope it turns out to be something simple and an easy in expensive fix.

[UlleB]

I took another look and check out the bottom of the door as compared to the top of the door. So not only is the door sitting higher than the fender (presumably, I guess the fender could be the culprit) but it's also way out of alignment in the bottom left corner. 

https://imgur.com/a/rerJkEP

I'm kind of scared to tinker with it, especially since it's not causing any issues (yet). Thankfully there are no cracks to be seen anywhere.

[DerekHa]

Looking at your latest image Ulrik, it still looks that there's far more of a gap at the top than there is down at the bottom of the door. the gap should be virtually the same at the top as at the bottom. If thats the case then either the front wing is misaligned or there's something definately going on with the actual body which may be related to the "minor accident" the previous owner mentioned to you.

There's usually some room for adjustment of the front wing (fender) on most cars but would think you'd be best getting a body shop to look at it for you. You could end up with other panels not aligned if you go at it yourself. If it's just aligning the front panels properly it may not be to expensive to sort out adjustment wise.