Ford KA door opens too far, door check strap problem
Model Year: 2001
Categories:
Leaks & Noises
Two days ago I inadvertently rammed an open driver's door against a carport's post whilst pushing the vehicle from the carport.
A panel shop has just realigned both door hinges so that the door can now close and seal. However the shop didn't fix the problem of the 'stretched' check strap whereby the check strap mechanism retaining metal inside the door has ballooned out to the tune of about 8-10 millimetres (compared to the proper functioning passenger door). This causes the door to be unstable when opened and the maximum door opening is close to ninety degrees. I'm thinking I may be able to fix the problem by removing the door and banging around the two 10mm bolts that secure the check strap inside the door. This may reduce the distance that the check strap is able to move which is what I require, but without confirmation from anyone I don't want to risk making the situation worse.
Thanks for any replies in advance.
A panel shop has just realigned both door hinges so that the door can now close and seal. However the shop didn't fix the problem of the 'stretched' check strap whereby the check strap mechanism retaining metal inside the door has ballooned out to the tune of about 8-10 millimetres (compared to the proper functioning passenger door). This causes the door to be unstable when opened and the maximum door opening is close to ninety degrees. I'm thinking I may be able to fix the problem by removing the door and banging around the two 10mm bolts that secure the check strap inside the door. This may reduce the distance that the check strap is able to move which is what I require, but without confirmation from anyone I don't want to risk making the situation worse.
Thanks for any replies in advance.
Posted: Oct 1, 2010 (14 years ago)
Dont know the set up with check strap , but rather than take off / disturb the door that has been aligned , cant you pull off door trim and do something from inside there ?
Posted Oct 1, 2010 (14 years ago)
Thanks for your reply. The hinges were bent back to more or less their original position. The door has essentially been left without treatment to the dents from the impact. Removal of the door is basically a five to ten minute job and will not disturb the existing configuration. Removing the trim is a lot more time consuming and would probably result in having to replace clips and is unknown territory for me.
Posted Oct 2, 2010 (14 years ago)
is the checkstrap broken or are the fixing points broken,
Posted Oct 2, 2010 (14 years ago)
if you can`nt sort it then take it back to the bodyshop to sort out
Posted Oct 2, 2010 (14 years ago)
As you say , best to leave stripping down door trim if not sure . Have a word with b/shop who repaired hinges , might have a simple solution to fault .
Posted Oct 2, 2010 (14 years ago)
I'm not going back to the bodyshop that realigned the hinges. They grossly overcharged for the time they expended. They said they would improve the check strap but did nothing about it.
Another bodyshop I have just seen for a quote for the remaining panel damage has said the check strap mechanism is still functioning but the door casing which encloses the check mechanism has blown out as a result of the impact and this is causing the door to flop open too far. Another door would sort the problem but here in Australia the Ford KA is a relatively rare beast compared to say Britain, so cost and availability is an issue.
Another bodyshop I have just seen for a quote for the remaining panel damage has said the check strap mechanism is still functioning but the door casing which encloses the check mechanism has blown out as a result of the impact and this is causing the door to flop open too far. Another door would sort the problem but here in Australia the Ford KA is a relatively rare beast compared to say Britain, so cost and availability is an issue.
Posted Oct 3, 2010 (14 years ago)
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