How To Replace A Rusted Car Door
Doors on older cars can rust to the point where trying to repair the damage is useless, and you're better off replacing the door with a newer one. Here is how you can replace your car door with another one.
You Will Need:
- Replacement Door
- Jack Stand
- Ratchet Set
Find A Replacement Door
If you want to save money on the project, you should by an older door that is still in good shape from a used auto parts store. You have to make sure the door is specifically designed for the year and model of your current car, or it might not fit properly. If you can, take your car to a used parts auto shop, like Woonsocket Auto Salvage, so you can match up the doors to make sure they are physically identical.
Disconnect The Wiring
You might have a lot of wiring running from your engine compartment to your door – especially if you have electric windows, side mirrors, door locks, and speakers in your door.
The wiring is encapsulated in a rubber accordion-like tube. Pull the tube out of the door frame, and pull the rubber back over the wires until you expose the connection harness holding the wires together. Disconnect the wire harnesses (you might need a small flathead screwdriver to flip the tab open the harness).
Take The Door Off
Open the door and place a car jack underneath it. Raise the car jack until it fits snugly against the bottom of the door frame, but don't raise the jack so high that you actually lift the door up. This will hold the door in place while you remove the bolts holding the door to the car's frame (a sagging door puts extra pressure on the bolts and this will make them hard to remove).
Remove the door holder (if your car has one) that keeps the door from opening too wide. In some cars, the way the hinges are designed will keep the door from swinging open too wide when you open the door, and you'll only have to remove the hinges.
Remove the bolts to the hinges on the door. You can remove the door once the bolts have been removed.
Install The New Door
Set the bottom of the new door frame onto the jack. Position the door so you can screw the hinges back on. Bolt the hinges to the door, and reconnect the door holder. Reconnect the wiring harness, and slide the rubber tube back over the wires and into the door frame. Remove the jack, and open and close the door a few times to make sure it works well.
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