doors of vitesse mk 2 convertible

[theestimator]

Drivers door of convertible is hitting windscreen when trying to close and when closed pushes windscreen forward so then have problem closing roof - any advice greatly appreciated. Have tried all the door movements without success

 

Gordon Corbett

[Steve C]

Hi Gordon

 

Are you aware that the quarter light frame also adjusts, and can be tilted back to clear the screen pillar? The big Phillips head screw under the rubber bung on the front face of the door frame by the quarter light, and a couple of others hiding under the door card will let you adjust it. You then have to ensure that you don't move it so far back that you cannot wind the window up and down easily! If that does not work, you can shim the rear body mount on the front bulkhead to effectively tilt the bulkhead forward a little to improve clearance, but will then have to re-set the door gap and adjustments. Again, don't overdo it or you will raise the tread plate so that it then fouls the door bottom.

 

You have my complete sympathies - Heralds and Vitesses are great little cars, but body adjustment and door gaps on them are a bloody nightmare, and unless done by a real expert, always end up as a compromise.

 

Best wishes

 

Steve C

[Clive]

My guess would be the bulkhead under the a post has dropped. Can be for several reasons, one herald I helped with the body mount had totally gone!

The bulkhead should be fitted first, everything else is adjusted to fit that. But the assumption is the bulkhead is correctly positioned and level. And any chassis repairs have always been done accurately (often not the case)

 

Hoods should be a pretty tight fit, but there is some adjustment in the frame position and on the header rail of the frame. But get the door correct first, then look at the hood last.

[Pete Lewis]

and hood tension can  pull the A posts rearward 

 

as others, this  may need to tip the baulkhead forwards by adding solid packers under the side  mountings 

 

and that coses the gap to bonnet ...!!!!   and so on and on 

 

dont overtighten the hinge bolts the cage nut plates are weedy thin plates and strip easilly, replacing apost ones is not easy

 

Pete

[theestimator]

Hi Gordon

 

Are you aware that the quarter light frame also adjusts, and can be tilted back to clear the screen pillar? The big Phillips head screw under the rubber bung on the front face of the door frame by the quarter light, and a couple of others hiding under the door card will let you adjust it. You then have to ensure that you don't move it so far back that you cannot wind the window up and down easily! If that does not work, you can shim the rear body mount on the front bulkhead to effectively tilt the bulkhead forward a little to improve clearance, but will then have to re-set the door gap and adjustments. Again, don't overdo it or you will raise the tread plate so that it then fouls the door bottom.

 

You have my complete sympathies - Heralds and Vitesses are great little cars, but body adjustment and door gaps on them are a bloody nightmare, and unless done by a real expert, always end up as a compromise.

 

Best wishes

 

Steve C

Hi Steve C     thanks for your tips and forgot all about the 1/4 light moving and that will be first port of call

 

cheers