Drivers door alignment

[Kona Bear]

I've recently noticed that my drivers side door on my MKIV jetta was sticking out a little further then it should. What pointed me to the problem was the excessive wind noice coming from this door. I tried re-aligning the door myself but I can't get it just right. Does anyone have some good pointers or a how to I could try?

My next step was removing the drivers side quater panel to get access to the bolts on the door and trying to align it while it is closed. Am I on the right track?

Thanks,

[cdnalpina]

Re: Drivers door alignment

When I have tried to tackle something like this, I have always had another set of hands there. Not sure how the hinges attach, but if it is a standard sort of 4 bolt diamond shape idea, then tighten them down as tight as you can so you can still move the door and then shift it around until it is in the desired position when closed. Once there, very carefully open and support the door and have someone inside the car, with the correct size ratchet wrench, reach around and tighten the top and bottom bolts. Close the door carefully and see how it is. If it is ok, open again and tighten the last two.

If the door is too high or too low, slack the bottom bolt and ever so gently slack the top bolt until you can barely move the door under mild force. Repeat until you have it where you want it and tighten the top and bottom bolts. Once you have the vertical position set, slack the bottom bolt and tighten one of the lateral bolts to the point where you can barely move it and align the door against the back door and A pillar. It's a tedious task but it is the best way that I know to do it.