S3 Driver's Door

[rustyjoe123]

I'm helping 'the dad' get his S3 back on the road.

One of the problems we have is a split in the top of the driver's side door.
Has anyone any idea of where we could get a new door from?

Any help gratefully received.

Joe.

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi
Can you put up a picture of the split, fiberglass is easy to repair.

Alan

[phillpot]

Have to agree with Alan, repair probably as cheap/easy as respraying and fitting another door?

I believe new bonnets are still available but no idea about doors, second hand can be found.

One(of probably several) problem you'll have is the door cards are hand drilled to each door so the securing clip thingies won't line up. Obviously door can be re-drilled but takes a bit of careful marking and drilling to get holes in just the right place. From new they would drill straight through card and door then trim the card.

[mycroft]

Breakers advertise in TVRCC magazine Sprint . Bell Hill one http://www.bellhillgarage.com/tvrpartshome.htm

[rustyjoe123]

Thanks for the advice, I think the repair option is going to have to be the way forward

I will put a picture up later (or will try). Is there any 'technique' for repairing fibre glass?? I know that you need the fibre glass matting, resin and hardner etc.

Once again cheers for the help.
Joe.

[techbotics]

Should be fg repair tips on the web but one thing if it's a split / crack drill a hole at the end to remove the stress point and then repair. Got this from Ed china though so I may get shot down in flames. Seems reasonable to me though.

Cheers D S3

[phillpot]

I found this very useful.

loads more on the net, good luck (and don't forget the "Marigolds" it's messy stuff) !

[rustyjoe123]

The pics as requested.

Another slight problem is that the door is pulling away from the window bracket, due to the crack (as shown in the photo) Any suggestions to how you would go about this?

When repairing fibre glass you fill the crack in dont you?? you cant pull it together and fix it like you would with glue for example??

Cheers,
Joe.

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi
You will have to clean the crack to remove any dirt or crap that is in there, second you will have to clean up the inside with a dermel and a small stone to give the new Fiberglas something to key to. mix up some bridging filler, fill the crack and clamp up the door, smooth down the inside with your finger so when you laminate some glass on the inside there are no lumps of bridging resin.
Make sure you clean up any areas you are going to laminate to give the new glass something to key to.

Alan

[grumpytvr]

It shouldn't be too difficult to repair a crack like that in GRP. It looks like you'll have to strip the window frame etc out of the door to get at it properly though. - Not that it's much of a problem to do.

If you get really stuck I do have, surplus to requirements (and available at a very reasonable price!) an s3c driver's (and passenger) door skin in green. The only problem is they have the later Citroen mirror fitting so it's probably more hassle than it's worth swapping them over.