Door Adjustment

[sasquartch]

I've had this problem with my 2005 Galaxy from new where the drivers side passenger door will not shut easily. It can be slammed shut but unless done firmly the door catch bounces on the striker and is left half shut. This is incredibly annoying as the kids rarely manage to shut it first time so I have to get out of the car and shut it again myself (as child locks are on)

 

It had it's first service last week and they assured me this had been looked at but no difference. I'm going to get them to look at it again but thought I'd try and investigate a little before I spoke to them so as to be at least a little bit informed.

 

The passenger side rear door shuts fine and looking at this the door is definitely different to the drivers side in its adjustment. The door edge seems pretty much parallel all the way along, ie the top of the door next to the roof is at the same distance away from the seal as it shuts. However the drivers side door top touches the top before the bottom, the door is already making contact with the body before the lock is in proper contact. I'm pretty sure this is the root cause.

 

I've searched the forum and can't find anything (maybe I've missed something obvious) and can't see any procedure that anyone has used in the past, also I have bought a TIS disk and can't see anything in there.

 

Does anyone know where the adjustment procedure is the TIS disk. If someone can point me to the required section I can work out the rest.

 

Or what is involved in adjusting it.

 

The Ford dealer will probably try and tell me the striker plate needs adjustment but I'm convinced it's more involved.

 

If anyone can help I'd be grateful - it's really the only problem I've had with the Galaxy, otherwise it has met my expectations, especially fuel economy.

[Guest marcusheawood]

The reason the dealer did nothing is because there is nothing to be done except cutting off the hinges and welding on new ones (they're a repair part in the event of having to fit a new door), these come with bolts to enable you to check fit before finally welding them permanently (and re-spraying the door).

[sasquartch]

Well it's booked in for the Fraud dealer to look at tomorrow.

 

As far as I'm concerned, they'll have to do whatever it takes to rectify the problem, either the door hinges are out (seems unlikely as the door shut lines all look fine when the door is shut) or the window frame need s adjustment in some way. It's been like this from new.

 

I'll report back when resolved .......

[sasquartch]

Well the Ford dealer bodyshop looked at it and confirmed what marcus said, ie there is no hinge adjustment. He even said they'd had a few cases of this so possibly its down to manufacturing tolerances over a particular period of time.

 

Basically the only adjustment is heaving and tugging - which they must have done because the fit is better than it was, although not perfect. The door still has a tendency to bounce but if pushed shut all the way it only needs gentle pressure to shut properly.

 

He said to see how it goes for a week as the door seal still needs to adapt to the re-adjusted door - but if no better to bring back. He said doors atre prone to 'vacuum' ie will shut better when another door or window if open - however not really convinced that is the problem, it just exacerbates it.

 

So, whilst still not perfect it's better than it was - they've definitely not given up so I have to say the dealer (Evans Halshaw, Welwyn) has been OK so far, it's important to give them a chance to resolve everything. Once again, customer service fine, polite, tea, coffee etc whilst I waited.

 

Will report back.......

[Playpen]

Had exactly the same issue with my 2004 Sharan, same door too !

 

Dealer has fiddled a bit on 2 occasions, mainly with the door catch I think and it now closes 95% of the time ok, but it doesn't have the nice clunk that the other doors have when closing. Also feels different on opening but seems just as secure as the other doors.

 

Shut lines are slightly out on the lower part of the door but nothing significant. Car was bought new.

[sasquartch]

Playpen, seems exactly same problem as mine.

 

Mine is March 2005 but was probably built late 2004 as I waited for a 05 plate.

 

When at the dealer today he did say this wasn't unheard of and it seems reasonable to assume the Alhambra/Sharan?galaxy bodyshells all come off the same line. So probably a manufacturing tolerance issue ??

 

Interesting you say the operation of the door handle feels different, this is exactly the same as mine.

 

Having had a good look this lunchtime I have decided the problem is that the door is probably 1-2mm low, and as it closes it has to slide up slightly over the rubbers. It is better when the drivers door is open but no different when another door is open so I think it's the friction of the door rubber rather than any vacuum effect.

 

I'm going to try lubricating the rubber seals with some silicone spray to see if that helps, I think it's still possible that as the seals wear slightly the problem will lessen.

[mumof4]

ive been reading this topic with some interest as we have one door that does not sit right...its the passenger rear door.when closed it still looks like it is open a few mms and there is no clunk when shut and if you take the childlock off and open it from the inside...it opens with hardly a touch...just swings right open...it has been looked at but been told that ther is nothing that can be done. <_<

[sasquartch]

mumof4 I think it sounds like you have a straightforward striker plate problem - if the door isn't been pulled in tight to the doorseal then it's pretty much a simple job to loosen the bolts and move the striker in a bit.

 

You will need a splined (torx ??) tool for the bolts but are easily available

[mumof4]

my dad has already adjusted the striker plate but it still wont close..guess ill have a go at it..i dunno....if you want a job doing properly eh.... <_<

[Playpen]

Hi All

 

At least were not suffering these "interesting features" alone :lol:

 

I had a quick look at the car tonight, actually when closing it does sound ok, its more when opening that the feel or sound is different to the other 3 doors. It also drops slightly when opening. Sasquatch, my car was bought August 05 so probably not too far off yours.

[sasquartch]

Looking back over the forum postings and found this :

 

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...wtopic=1578&hl=

 

So seems a recurring problem not confined to a particular production date

[Galaxy23]

Mum of 4,

Try placing some tape around the srtiker plate barrel which willl make it thicker.

Its worth a try and won't cost u anything apart from a little time.

 

Regards,

 

 

P. :huh:

[mumof4]

thx will try it when we get the car back!!

 

 

 

(more info filed away.)