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j-dub How I realigned my sagging GTI doors « » 3:23 PM 12-17-2003

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The doors on my GTI have sagged since I had it and seems to be getting worse. The problem seems to happen less on Jettas due to the 2
Member Since door Golf/GTI having longer and heavier doors.
10-22-2000
2605 posts
Follow along and I will attempt to show you what I did in a way that you could repeat on your own car.
AZ
What you need:
You need two torx wrenches, T-40 and T-45
Due to the limited working space the types that go on a ratchet drive seem to be too long to get in there. I bought this set from Pep Boys for
~13 bucks:

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1 pack of shims
I alsoget these from Pep Boys, in the HELP section:

What you need to do:

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You need to loosen the bottom door hinge bolt that bolts the hinge to the door. Then insert shims of the appropriate thickness between the
door and the hinge, this will offset the sagging.

Notice two silver shims

My driver door had sagged more that my passenger door. On my driver door I used a 1/16th shim as well as a 1/32, on the passenger door I
only used a 1/16th. You will need to try several combinations to get it right. You can also adjust in or out the door relative to the hinge. Be
sure you have the door in the same place relative to the hinge, you can tell by noticing the orig bolt mark.

Next you need to adjust the striker plate. You may need to move it up/down or side to side. You want to adjust it so there is no binding when
you open and close the door, it should latch and unlatch smoothly. It should be apparent which way it needs to go by the sound and feel of
the door opening and closing.
Pic of striker plate:

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The before pic of my driver door did not turn out so here is a bad pic of how my passenger door used to look. The pic is fouled up due to the
sun behind me.

Here is the driver door after alignment:

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Again sorry for the poor quality pics, please feel free to ask questions if anything is not clear.
Good luck
Jeremy

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1957 T1
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"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

Moe Sizlack Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 3:26 PM 12-17-2003
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16667 posts hello DIY sticky post
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ABNGTI Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 3:31 PM 12-17-2003
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outstanding! now tell us how to get the tension back into the door when you open it, mine's worn out and the door opens almost fully on its
own instead of opening to the halfway point and holding or whatever stops it supposed to make before it just swings all the way out and
Offline almost into the niegbhors car

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4thChirpinGTI Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (Moe Sizlack) « » 3:32 PM 12-17-2003
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thats exactly what i needed thankz. i was cacking the door up b4 this

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JPS95gti Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 3:32 PM 12-17-2003
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Offline send this to the mod's and get them to put it in the DIY!!!
just fixed mine!!!
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6-27-2003
835 posts

Reno Nevada
95 VW GTi 1995 GTi VR6 199,877 only major repairs was the heater core, aux waterpump, and soon to be waterpump. im scared!!

but it still pulls hard and screams loud... like my girl.

ozglxvr6
Member Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (JPS95gti) « » 3:35 PM 12-17-2003

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j-dub Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (ozglxvr6) « » 3:36 PM 12-17-2003
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Member Since Thanks for the kind words guys

10-22-2000
2605 posts
I just posted a link to this thread in the DIY sticky.
AZ

1957 T1
R32
"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

SuckaFree Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (JPS95gti) « » 3:38 PM 12-17-2003
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8-8-2001 awesome diy.
5770 posts but i've also heard that all you have to do is replace the actually hinges.
you can get them from the dealer.
PhoCal
anyone have insight on that?

- FS: 19" MAE Crown Jewel -

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JPS95gti Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (SuckaFree) « » 3:43 PM 12-17-2003
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Offline Quote, originally posted by SuckaFree »

awesome diy.
Member Since but i've also heard that all you have to do is replace the actually hinges.
6-27-2003 you can get them from the dealer.
835 posts

Reno Nevada anyone have insight on that?

95 VW GTi

check the prices first...

1995 GTi VR6 199,877 only major repairs was the heater core, aux waterpump, and soon to be waterpump. im scared!!

but it still pulls hard and screams loud... like my girl.

j-dub Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (SuckaFree) « » 3:49 PM 12-17-2003
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Offline Quote, originally posted by SuckaFree »

awesome diy.
Member Since but i've also heard that all you have to do is replace the actually hinges.
10-22-2000 you can get them from the dealer.
2605 posts

AZ anyone have insight on that?

This meathod takes 20 minutes, so this is what I decided to go with. If you wanted to replace the hinges, that would be ideal, but it would
require a ton more work substantialy more investment.

1957 T1
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R32
"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

SuckaFree Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 3:54 PM 12-17-2003
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Offline Quote, originally posted by j-dub »

This meathod takes 20 minutes, so this is what I decided to go with. If you wanted to replace the hinges, that would be ideal,
Member Since but it would require a ton more work substantialy more investment.
8-8-2001
5770 posts

PhoCal
yeah,
i was just inquiring about the mechanics; if that's all you had to do, was to just replace the hinges.
regardless of price.

- FS: 19" MAE Crown Jewel -

- FS: PalmOne Life Drive PDA -

j-dub Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (SuckaFree) « » 3:57 PM 12-17-2003
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10-22-2000 Replacing them is ALL you would have to do save for alignment. BUT to get to the you would need to remove the front fenders.
2605 posts

AZ

1957 T1
R32
"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

ABNGTI Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 4:07 PM 12-17-2003
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Quote, originally posted by j-dub »

I just posted a link to this thread in the DIY sticky.

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1996 GTI

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EuroVR6Mk3 Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (ABNGTI) « » 4:24 PM 12-17-2003
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very cool
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DaFabolous2.0 Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 5:22 PM 12-17-2003
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sweet DIY, im gonna save this just incase
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4-30-2003 Modified by DaFabolous2.0 at 2:24 PM 12-17-2003
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Sebeck1 Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 5:24 PM 12-17-2003
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11-3-2001 My passenger side is sagged. It sucks. It leaks air over 80mph.
5130 posts

somewhere VA

Jon D Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (Sebeck1) « » 5:54 PM 12-17-2003
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Offline do you have any better pics of the shims in the drivers side door hinge I cant tell what way you put them in
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GTI2lo Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (Jon D) « » 7:42 PM 12-17-2003
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Member Since do it like a bodyshop, it is sagging so put a floor jack under the door with 2x4 along seem, jack up end of door and bend the hinges back to
12-19-1999 where it's suppose to be. You are almost jackin the side of the car up with the door, remember to do slowly, you don't want to rip the door off
5328 posts the hinge. Another plus is that it is free to do. No parts invlolved

Unionville, Canada

2007 GTI United Grey Pkg 2, BF Goodrich tires,SEM, RPI-equipped, Xenondepot.com Also check out http://www.rpi-equipped.com
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Ed52 Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (GTI2lo) « » 8:03 PM 12-17-2003
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2940 posts When a door sags it means the hinge is worn loose. No adjustment will correct for a worn hinge. In Bentleys it shows a lockscrew holding the
hinge pin. Remove the lockscrew on upper and lower hinges and lift door out of hinge. I havn't tried that yet but will need to sometime before
Toronto, ON
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plohip Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 8:10 PM 12-17-2003
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Nice! I have been having this problem too recently on my passenger side door. Great post.

Tace Vangola
Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (GTI2lo) « » 12:49 PM 12-18-2003
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Member Since bump, I have to do that in the next few weeks when the car goes into the shop.
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chino. Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (ABNGTI) « » 12:55 PM 12-19-2003
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Quote, originally posted by ABNGTI »

outstanding! now tell us how to get the tension back into the door when you open it, mine's worn out and the door opens
almost fully on its own instead of opening to the halfway point and holding or whatever stops it supposed to make before it just
swings all the way out and almost into the niegbhors car
Offline

Member Since to get tension back in your door you need to tighten the nut that's on the silver lever. tighten the side that is on the frame and not on the
3-27-2002 door. you can look right at it on his 3rd pic.
770 posts the lever itself is just above the bottom hinge.
there are 2 bolts on the door that attches to it don't bother with those. then there will be a nut and bolt where the lever attaches to.
NC, VA tightening the nut and you will see what i mean.
20AE Jazz

redstar Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 3:43 PM 12-19-2003
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glohworm « » 5:49 PM 12-19-2003

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Good thread Jeremy,
Chicago Il
1996 Jetta GLS I had this trouble last summer when I bought my Jetta. I used heavy duty washers instead of shims. I also propted up the fully extended
doors with my floor jack while adjusting them.

j-dub Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (redstar) « » 11:10 PM 12-26-2003
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"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

j-dub Re: (glohworm) « » 11:13 PM 12-26-2003

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AZ

I did the same with the stock jack, but it ended up becoming more of a hassel than it was worth. In the end, holding the door steady with my
leg helped more.
If you had an extra person around to help you would be ideal.

1957 T1
R32
"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

splitmeister Re: (j-dub) « » 12:37 PM 12-27-2003

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8-9-2001 Nice DIY, but none of that is necessary to realign your doors. Nor is buying new hinges.
1774 posts

im real good at installing

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ABNGTI Re: (splitmeister) « » 1:11 PM 12-27-2003

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Quote, originally posted by splitmeister »

Nice DIY, but none of that is necessary to realign your doors. Nor is buying new hinges.

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what do you suggest then?
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splitmeister Re: (ABNGTI) « » 6:28 PM 12-27-2003

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im real good at installing

using this tool, better known as 'the sticky bolt'
tire shine

http://www.fastroadspecialties.com

The neighborhood bike is fun, til you realise that everyone else has had a ride

DubberFromCT Re: (splitmeister) « » 6:50 PM 12-27-2003

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Offline ...And doing what.

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BabyBlueA3 Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (j-dub) « » 7:07 PM 12-27-2003
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Offline Nice of you to take the time to write this up guy. Thanx a lot. Need to do this for my passenger door.

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Method Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (BabyBlueA3) « » 5:40 PM 12-28-2003
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Quote »
Next you need to adjust the striker plate. You may need to move it up/down or side to side. You want to adjust it so there is no
binding when you open and close the door, it should latch and unlatch smoothly. It should be apparent which way it needs to
go by the sound and feel of the door opening and closing.
Offline

Member Since Do you mean I'd have to redrill the holes so the plate can be re-adjusted for the door to close properly? But shouldn't its present location be
3-31-2001
829 posts the right spot for a properly aligned door??

Brampton ON
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95 GTI

94 VeeDub GOLF GL - RIP

bluejettaVR6 Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (Method) « » 2:25 AM 12-29-2003
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this is a great post

Offline Quote, originally posted by matt@evolutionsports »

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Spankee Re: (splitmeister) « » 7:10 AM 12-29-2003

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2006 posts
Quote, originally posted by splitmeister »
Wheeling WV
using this tool, better known as 'the sticky bolt'
1997 Jetta GT

is that like the sticky bomb??? does it involve grease or socks?

What you see is what you get.......

j-dub Re: How I realigned my sagging GTI doors (Method) « » 9:03 PM 1-1-2004
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Offline Quote, originally posted by Method »

Do you mean I'd have to redrill the holes so the plate can be re-adjusted for the door to close properly? But shouldn't its
Member Since
10-22-2000 present location be the right spot for a properly aligned door??
2605 posts

AZ
You will not need to drill holes, the striker plate is made to be adjustable to compensate for wear and manufacturing tolerances.

I like what you said about it already being in the right place, it definately may be. Just know that it is a simple adjustment if it needs it.

1957 T1
R32
"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

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