how to repair an automotive car door

Car Door Will Not Close

Step by step guide on how to repair an automotive car door that wont close. This article pertains to all vehicles.

Difficulty Scale: 1 of 10

Tool and Supplies Needed

• Small screw driver
• Flashlight
• Gloves
   

Begin with the vehicle on level ground in park with the emergency brake on.

Door Latch Wont Close Video Repair Guide

Step 1 - Open the door and inspect the door latch to see if the orientation of the clasp is in the closed or open position.

Door Latch Closed

Step 2 - While holding the door handle in the "OPEN" position use a screwdriver or equivalent (Note: This operation is easy so almost anything can be used.)

Opening Door Latch Clasp

Step 3 - Once the door latch clasp has been released the door will return to normal working order.

Door Latch Clasp Open Position

All components of an automobile work together to provide a safe and smooth ride for occupants, from the engine to the brakes, tires, and more. For security and safety, car doors must remain in proper working order. They not only protect the occupants while traveling on roadways, but they also secure the contents of the vehicle as well.

Doors that do not close completely pose a danger to vehicle drivers and passengers. Car doors that do not close keep the car from being used on the roadways in a safe manner. Doors that get stuck and do not open present another set of problems, mainly not allowing vehicle occupants to quickly exit the vehicle when necessary. All vehicle owners should know how to fix a car door that won’t shut, as well as one that gets stuck and does not open. In all cases, owners need to determine if they have the knowledge to attempt a repair in their own garage or if they should take the vehicle to an autobody repair shop.

When it comes to fixing a car door that won’t shut, vehicle owners should first determine the cause of the problem. A sagging door or problem with the door latch could be the problem. Vehicle door latches might require just a few tools to fix, while a sagging door could require the aid of an automotive repair shop to get it fixed right. After making sure the latch works properly, then consider taking it to a shop for repair.

Owners attempting to fix the car door themselves might want to enlist the aid of a friend. They also need a flathead screwdriver,, a wrench,, and a 2x2 inch block of wood and a crate if attempting to realign a door at a home garage. The following section provides instructions on how to fix a car door that won’t shut.

Fixing the Latch of a Car Door

The easiest fixes deal with car door latches. The only requirements for this type of repair involve asking a friend or family member to hold the handle up while the owner uses a screwdriver to fix the problem. The following table explains this process in more detail.

Step	Description
Step 1	Look for the rotating latch prongs on the edge of the car door; this latch should rotate downward
Step 2	Lifting the handle reveals the position of the latch; if closed, then the latch needs adjustment
Step 3	Have someone lift the door handle from the outside and hold it in the upward position
Step 4	Use a flathead screwdriver to manually push the latch so that it rotates downward into the open position
Step 5	Close the door to check if it will stay shut

If the above method fixes the problem, then car owners need to go no further in fixing the door. Otherwise, they can peruse the sections below for more tips on how to fix a car door that won’t shut as a result of alignment and door sag problems.

Fixing the Alignment of a Car Door

If the door still does not stay shut after fixing the car door latch, then the alignment of the door is probably off and needs fixing. Owners can take the vehicle to an autobody specialist or do the job themselves. The second option saves money, but owners need to make sure they have the knowledge to successfully complete the task before beginning. The table below details how to fix the alignment of the car door using a 2x2 inch block of wood and a wrench.

Step	Description
Step 1	Open the door in question and place a 2x2 inch block of wood beneath the lower hinge of the door
Step 2	Push firmly on the door from outside the car to bend the door’s lower hinge; take care not to bend the hinge too much; examine the door after each push
Step 3	Once the door aligns with the door frame, stop pushing; in the case where the alignment is restored for the most part, adjust the fitting between the striker and latch
Step 4	Using a wrench, loosen the striker located on the door frame; make sure to only loosen the striker enough to move it; take care not to let the retaining nut fall when loosening it and loosen slowly and carefully
Step 5	Push the striker around until in the proper position to allow the door to latch properly when closed

If the door requires even more of an alignment change than this, take the vehicle to an autobody repair shop to have it fixed. An autobody repair shop has the tools necessary to properly fix a car door that requires major repairs.

Severe Door Sag

Sometimes the above remedies do not work. At this point most vehicle owners will take their vehicle into an autobody repair shop. But if they feel they can still fix the door themselves, there is another option available. For owners who still want to fix the door themselves, the following table provides advice on another option for fixing vehicle doors that have severe sag. Repairs require something to support the door, such as a crate, an awl or screwdriver, and a tool to loosen the bolts.

Step	Description
Step 1	Support the door’s bottom using a crate or other item high enough to fit the task
Step 2	Mark the proper alignment of the hinges using an awl or screwdriver
Step 3	Loosed the bolts, making small adjustments; check the alignment after each adjustment

If this final fix does not correct the door alignment, then vehicle owners should consider taking the vehicle to an autobody repair shop. At this point, trying to fix the problem at home could cause more harm than good.

How to Fix a Car Door That Won’t Open

Car doors that won’t open represent the other end of the repair spectrum. Articles jammed in latches or locks, or even damage from an accident, tend to be the culprits in these cases. The sections below touch on how to fix a car door that won’t open.

Jammed Doors

Sometimes a door just gets jammed. Whether the locking or latching mechanism is jammed, the fix depends on getting the latch to work. To accomplish this fix requires the use of a wire coat hanger. The table below contains the steps to accomplish this.

Step	Description
Step 1	Slide a reshaped wire coat hanger between the interior window and the interior door; the wire coat hanger should have a hook on one end and the other end straight
Step 2	Move the coat hanger around near the rear of the window panel, attempting to hook the door lever
Step 3	Upon locating the lever, pull up on the hanger in an attempt to release the door assembly
Step 4	Once the door has opened, test it to make sure it will not stick closed again

If the above steps do not solve the problem, consider removing the door panel.

Removing the Door Panel

In some cases the door panel must be removed. Lubrication of the latching mechanism then becomes possible. The owner needs a pair of needle nose pliers and some WD-40for the job at hand. The following table details the removal of the door panel and lubrication of the car door latch.

Step	Description
Step 1	To remove the interior door panel, use needle nose pliers to loosen the securing tabs on the corners of the interior door
Step 2	Remove the rod that connects the interior and exterior door handles
Step 3	Lubricate the internal gears of the door with WD-40
Step 4	Replace the rod
Step 5	Replace the interior door panel

The gears within the door assembly should work more smoothly now. If this fix does not work, consider taking the vehicle to an autobody repair shop to repair the door.

Find Vehicle Door Parts on eBay

After finding the type of vehicle door part needed, shoppers can visit eBay and do a quick search for products. Use the Search box found on any eBay page by entering keywords, such as "chrome door handle" or "black outside door handle," for example. To narrow down the list of product options, click on the Categories options, includingExterior and Doors & Door Handles.. Visit eBay’s Search Tips page for more advice on searching for vehicle door parts with keywords or even try shopping eBay Stores..

Buy Vehicle Door Parts Online with Confidence

Shopping online can be a simple and secure process. Before bidding or making a Best Offer, read the details in the vehicle door part listings. If any of your questions aren’t answered on the listing page, click the Ask a Question link on the seller’s page. Also remember to check the seller’s feedback rating to make sure the seller has received good feedback from previous transactions.

Conclusion

While driving a vehicle is necessary day to day for most people, the condition of the vehicle plays a vital role in ensuring driver and passenger safety. Properly working doors and door latches play a large part in making the overall driving experience safer. Just like any part of a vehicle, when the doors and latches don’t work properly, driver and passenger injury can occur.

Before attempting to fix a vehicle door, owners should make sure they possess the proper tools, as well as knowledge of how to successfully fix the door. Vehicle owners who feel inadequate to accomplish the task should seek the help of an autobody professional. Fixing improperly functioning doors and latches as soon as possible could mean the difference between life and death.

Helpful Information

On any car there are a few compartments that open and close at the will of the user. These compartments include car hood, doors, trunk, glove box and center-upper consoles. The one thing all of these compartments have in common is a latch mechanism that holds the lid, door or hood closed. Door latches contain a locking device that allow the user to lock the operation of the latch. On the opposite side of all latches is the "striker" which is the part where the latch holds onto when closed. This latch mechanism is designed to hold the striker within the latch clasp. When the clasp is released, the striker is free to move allowing the the door to open. For the latch to work properly the alignment of the striker is crucial. Occasionally when a latch is opened it can have a "rebound" effect that can sometimes close the latch the second it opens. When a "rebound" occurs the door, hood or truck opens but the latch is now closed and will not except the striker and will not allow the door, hood or lid to close. This means the latch will have to be opened before it will reconnect to the striker.

Common Problems

• When a door latch fails it will not allow you to open or close the latch
• If door hinges are allowed to move excessively the striker will be out of place causing the striker to be located the wrong position causing the latch to not operate properly.
• An activation rod will become dislodged not actuating the door latch release. If this occurs the inner door panel must be removed to activate the latch release manually.
• The inner or outer door handle will fail not moving the activation rod that connect to the latch release. This will result in latch operation failure. In both cases the inner door panel, must be removed to activate the control rod manually.
• Depending on the application some latches are equipped with an electric solenoid that can automatically open or close the lock with a simple key fob or electronic switch command. A switch command can be activated manually or by the BCM (body control module) computer. These automatic controlled latches also possess the ability to detect the use of force when it is used to overpower the latch as in a criminal act. When the latch is overpowered the car alarm will sound to alert the car owner.

Best Practices

• All hinges should be free from lateral movement and maintained by applying lubricant at regular intervals. To ensure proper latch operation all moving parts must be free from dirt and grime. To clean a door or compartment latch use a mild solvent or soap. Once clean, dry thoroughly and apply lubricant as needed.
• Confirm the door latch is unlocked