Replacing the inner door skeleton... possible?

[deevergote]

I haven't looked at my door in a while, so I'm asking this question blindly.

I had a crappy regulator, that resulted in serious damage to the mounting holes. I don't think I'll ever be able to align the regulator properly again.

Now, I've had my car painted, and I'd rather not have to get a new door... because I'd need to paint AGAIN...

So, my question is... is it possible to just replace the inner part of the door? The skeleton where the window regulator mounts? I'm guessing it's probably welded on there, so doing it correctly would be a risk, and probably nearly as expensive as a repaint... but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask!

[The-Gr8-Ox]

i can see it being very time consuming and i'd hate to ruin the good paint, but here's a diy to replace the door skin, its not exactly the right diy but it should give you the right idea of what to expect. hope this helps
http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...o/4212304.html

[wherm]

Sorry deev... Answer is No.

Your outer doorskin is glued, and peened over the door shell (skeleton). Your best bet would be to get a used door and have it painted. Probably would involve blending the fender and rear door (or quarter if you have a coupe) to get a good color match.

However....If you have a welder....

If I understand your situation, your regulator bolts are egging out the holes in the shell and shifting the regulator mounting position so the window doesn't operate properly...

If that's the case, you can mount the regulator where it needs to be, then one bolt at a time, install a washer with the exact inner diameter as the outer diameter as the bolt threads and tack weld the washer to the door panel. That'll snug everything up and keep the bolts from shifting.

[visualpoet]

I haven't looked at my door in a while, so I'm asking this question blindly.

I had a crappy regulator, that resulted in serious damage to the mounting holes. I don't think I'll ever be able to align the regulator properly again.

Now, I've had my car painted, and I'd rather not have to get a new door... because I'd need to paint AGAIN...

So, my question is... is it possible to just replace the inner part of the door? The skeleton where the window regulator mounts? I'm guessing it's probably welded on there, so doing it correctly would be a risk, and probably nearly as expensive as a repaint... but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask!

It seems that you could cut out the bad portion of the inner door chassis, cut a good portion with longer legs from another door (to overlap the remaining chassis), and then with a little creative drilling and some nuts and bolts, do it without damaging the paint from welding heat. It would not be as structurally sound in an accident, but I believe it would work fine for normal usage. Hell, the doubled up steel might actually improve the structural rigidity.

[deevergote]

If I understand your situation, your regulator bolts are egging out the holes in the shell and shifting the regulator mounting position so the window doesn't operate properly...

If that's the case, you can mount the regulator where it needs to be, then one bolt at a time, install a washer with the exact inner diameter as the outer diameter as the bolt threads and tack weld the washer to the door panel. That'll snug everything up and keep the bolts from shifting.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking of doing. Probably what I'll try before replacing the entire door. I was even thinking of JB Welding the washers in place.


Thanks guys!

[The-Gr8-Ox]

jb weld sounds like a great idea. not like anyone can see it under the door panel anyways.

[deevergote]

Yeah, I've never really been concerned with looks. My car is for MY enjoyment.

I just don't enjoy the window not working properly!

[The-Gr8-Ox]

I just don't enjoy the window not working properly!

i feel ya on that one...never a good thing

[wherm]

JB weld would probably be fine, I'd recommend taking an abrasive disk to the area around the bolt hole in the shell, and to the side of the washer that you're gonna glue to the panel. Give the adhesive something to bond to, then maybe install some lock washers too. May need to get some 10mm bolts that are a tad bit longer though to be safe.

[92accordkidwife]

Yeah, I've never really been concerned with looks. My car is for MY enjoyment.

I just don't enjoy the window not working properly!

atleast u have a window that rolls down my window regulator track broke and my window always falling down i have to lift the glass up with my hands to get it up

[deevergote]

Replace the regulator. I had that problem... but I replaced it with a piece of crap, and didn't align it properly... which is why I'm having problems now

[PakaloloHonda]

Yeah, I've never really been concerned with looks. My car is for MY enjoyment.

I just don't enjoy the window not working properly!

Deeverz! When my drivers door lock siezed up, I actually went to our pick & pull here
and got an entire door, pannel, glass, everything .. complete! For $25 bucks!

My window never rolled up perfectly .. I always had to "help it" sorta ..
Also, my auto door locks never worked .. since the day I bought it!
Now? Everything rolls up and locks just the way it supposed to .. and yeah ..
it's a different colored door .. and I don't care much .. it's all gettin painted soon enough.

But for $25 .. mannn .. I ain't complaining one bit ..

Tomi

[deevergote]

Yeah, I'll probably have to do that...

The problem is that I've already paid for a nice paintjob! I don't want to pay for a colormatch... that'll suck.

[PakaloloHonda]

Yeah, I'll probably have to do that...

The problem is that I've already paid for a nice paintjob! I don't want to pay for a colormatch... that'll suck.

Yeah .. it does suck .. but hey .. atleast it's just a door .. I mean .. you know ..

Tomi

[deevergote]

yeah, better than having to replace a rear quarter panel (though my rust keeps coming back, so that'll have to happen eventually too...)