Having problems with door gaps.

[Bill in MN]

The neverending S2 project is in the final stages prior to paint but we (body guy and I) are having a complete bitch of a time trying the doors to fit. The hood, trunk lid and front fenders are all pretty much there.

My question is this: how consistant were the gaps on our e28's? My 528 driver is all over the map but that's probably due to the fact that I beat the hell out of it and nothing is straight any more.

All panels and doors are original but have been off the car. The car has been in no wrecks or fender benders so I know a tweak can't be causing it. I've also removed both tower braces. It may perhaps simply the fact that I'm pretty anal about stuff like that and a 1/16" difference is not acceptable in my book. Frustration is an understatement!

Can someone give me a ballpark as to the gaps?

[dworthy]

I am suprised that the body man doesn't know about the spacers. There are several spacers that goes between the hinge and the bolts that hold the door in place. These are also called shims or such, but you can adjust your doors 1/16" or 1/8" depends on the thickness of the shim. Look inside the door to see if the shims are in there.

[Bill in MN]

The spacers aren't the issue here, it's the distances between the doors, fenders and rear wheel arch. We've got the depth dialed via the shims, it's just the gap distances that are in quesion. How much deviation was there from the factory is the basic question. My only reference is my 528 which is a poor example since it's been rear ended and pasted back together. I was too stupid to measure the gaps before I pulled the doors, a mistake I won't make again if I have to pull the panels!

[stuartinmn]

Bill -

When I get home tonight I'll take a look at the door gaps on my car, and see if I can snap some photos with a ruler held up for reference.

[dworthy]

I would say that a simple math solution would work. Measure the gaps between the doors (total) and adjust each one starting with the front door, then the back door off the front. Off the top of my head I would say that it should be about 1/4" is the correct gap/space.

[stuartinmn]

Bill - I measured the gaps on my car. Between the front door and front fender it's a strong 3/16", between the front and rear doors it's also a strong 3/16", and between the rear door and the rear quarter/wheelwell it's a little tighter - between 1/8" and 3/16". As far as I know it came this way from the factory.

I took some photos as well, I can email them to you directly after I download them from my camera.


[Edit by stuart in mn on [TIME]1111705181[/TIME]]