Topic: Guide to Clicking/Cracking Doors when opening (Read 4744 times)

ClubCalibra · « **on:** May 09, 2006, 20:44:32 PM »

Clicking/Cracking Doors upon Opening/Closing

This is often caused when there is play in the restrainer arm pin. You can see the pin if you open the door wide - it is the pin that attaches the restrainer arm to the body of the car.

The door restrainer mechanism has several 'notch' points so that the door can be held still in a number of different opening positions. When opening the door, for example, as you approach a notch point, there is tension in the restrainer arm and it is pulling against the pin. However, as you get into the notch point, the mechanism suddenly pushes on the arm instead, pulling the door into the notched position. If there is any play in the pin at the end of the restrainer arm, as the mechanism goes from pull to push the arm will shoot forward taking up the play and the inner edge of the hole will slam into the pin and make that horrible clicking noise.

If you don't believe this, carefully watch the restrainer arm as you slowly open and close the door. As you hear the clicking sounds, you will see the arm move forwards and backwards.

THE SOLUTION:
I tried to remedy this by tightening the bolt/pin but this only cleared the problem for a few days until the bold loosened. I shall work on a more effective solution in due course.

dj_smurph · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2006, 08:25:03 AM »

In addition, take the bolt out and cover it in thread lock

ice · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2006, 15:17:47 PM »

the thread lock works for a while but if you get the clicking again you will need to replace the little spacer/sleave that the door pin fits into.

lee · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2006, 11:01:19 AM »

cheers lads bin wanting t sort it out 4 ages ill get a new set from vauxhall and replace them when ive put the doors back together.

ps got 2 be the heaviest doors ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gen001 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2006, 18:06:48 PM »

Thanks for the info... i'll try it out.

J@zV6 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2006, 21:56:32 PM »

I had this problem & several people had a go at trying to fix it. All the tightening & adjusting either failed to fix the problem, or fixed it for a few days, but the clicking soon came back. The root cause was the hole for the pin being worn, allowing the arm to 'jump' as it closed, causing the click. The eventual solution was to fit a new door stay - not a very expensive part - problem solved.

T.F.S. · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2006, 10:08:03 AM »

yes...if the click is allowed to remain for some time it damages both the pin and the retainer

the trick is to change the pin before or as soon as the creak starts, it a cheap part avaliable from vauxhall

CallyT · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:46:21 AM »

Ah T.F.S..
Want to sort this myself, enquired with Autovaux, and got this in reply:

Both links & straps are available

The link is around £21 + vat

The strap is around £10 + vat

Don't know what i need now?!

ClubCalibra · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2006, 18:51:18 PM »

Checkout Vauxhall dude, found they're cheaper than Autovaux on some parts.

CallyT · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2006, 18:54:12 PM »

Ah right, will do.
Cheers

DeepSnoozer · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2006, 10:27:45 AM »

i tighened my door pins so much than that they stoped making clak clak all the time

CallyT · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2006, 16:45:04 PM »

On the type with a hollow pin I just beat a bolt into them, works well.
Later cars have a bolt though, dunno a way round them.

robs-se · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2006, 20:35:08 PM »

There is a nylon insert that the pin goes through. i suggest changing this first as its only 20p from Vauxhall.

geffd · « **Reply #13 on:** June 23, 2008, 18:45:55 PM »

Quote from: robs-se on December 16, 2006, 20:35:08 PM

There is a nylon insert that the pin goes through. i suggest changing this first as its only 20p from Vauxhall.

Yes this cured mine on both doors and for a few pence

Torquemada · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2008, 20:37:43 PM »

Cool! I'll be replacing those plastic sleeves as soon as I can Then.

ollie_1002 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 04, 2008, 12:40:33 PM »

hi guys, my door is really bad, went up vauxhall and a bloke gave me a metal hollow pin thing but not for my car so was useless! i have tightend as much as i can but still happening! if i get a new bolt will this correct it? do they come with the sleeve on the bolt?

itwouldbefunny · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2009, 19:31:14 PM »

Had the same problem, but after tightening the bolts no problem since.
But every time I open the door it goes down a little and therefore I have to slam it shut.
Any ideas?

J@zV6 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2009, 19:49:06 PM »

Quote from: itwouldbefunny on January 26, 2009, 19:31:14 PM

Had the same problem, but after tightening the bolts no problem since.
But every time I open the door it goes down a little and therefore I have to slam it shut.
Any ideas?

These appear to be two separate issues:

The door 'clicking' problem is usually the pin through the 'check-strap' getting worn. This can be improved by replacing the pin. It's called a 'check-strap', although it is now more like a metal plate because on old cars the door was actually prevented from opening too far by a leather strap.
The door dropping is a hinge problem. Either the hinges aren't done up tightly and in the correct alignment, or the hinge mounting is rusty, allowing the metal to buckle under the weight of the door. If it is the former, it should be relatively easy to tighten the bolts holding the hinges in place. If it is the latter, you're going to need to get some welding done.

Mr V · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2009, 20:20:37 PM »

The door hinges are welded onto the door frame and the body piller, so there is no provision for adjustment or alignment.

J@zV6 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2009, 20:32:58 PM »

Quote from: RobbieV on January 26, 2009, 20:20:37 PM

The door hinges are welded onto the door frame and the body piller, so there is no provision for adjustment or alignment.

I have to admit that, fortunately, I've never had any alignment problem with the doors on my V6, so I just assumed that it had some adjustment, as that is what I've had on other cars in the past. I guess that the long door is so heavy and has so much leverage that a bolted hinge wouldn't have held it securely enough.

If it can't be adjusted and the door appears to have dropped, either the door, or door frame must have weakened, or the hinge pins may have worn. According to the Haynes manual "if the door can be moved up and down on its hinges due to wear on the hinge pins, or their holes, it may be possible to drill out the holes and fit slightly oversize hinge pins".

Author Topic: Guide to Clicking/Cracking Doors when opening (Read 4744 times)

dj_smurph

ice

T.F.S.

CallyT

CallyT

DeepSnoozer

CallyT

ollie_1002