Discussion
Hello, I'm new to TVR's and was looking at a S3c
it had a couple of faults and I would like any suggestions as to fix
1, The driver door gapped out at the bottom by about 1/2 to 3/4 of inch top seemed flush.
door didn't seem to have dropped on hinges.
2, Both windows were very slow, had no push, needed to help by pulling them up.
3, Tacho was showing 1000 rpm when ignition off, turning ignition on made it drop to 0
Any help appreciated especially with the door
Thanks
it had a couple of faults and I would like any suggestions as to fix
1, The driver door gapped out at the bottom by about 1/2 to 3/4 of inch top seemed flush.
door didn't seem to have dropped on hinges.
2, Both windows were very slow, had no push, needed to help by pulling them up.
3, Tacho was showing 1000 rpm when ignition off, turning ignition on made it drop to 0
Any help appreciated especially with the door
Thanks
1 Mine is like that but only by maybe 1/4 inch - need to fix it one day but I'm told it's a mare of a job.
2. try some vinyl / nylon lubricant on the glass runners. Sometimes the runners can get out of alignment so that the glass is twisting as it goes up and down. Sometimes the motors just need cleaned and regreased.
3. Mine does that. I don't worry about it.
2. try some vinyl / nylon lubricant on the glass runners. Sometimes the runners can get out of alignment so that the glass is twisting as it goes up and down. Sometimes the motors just need cleaned and regreased.
3. Mine does that. I don't worry about it.
Yes, agree with tvrgit
1. The doors do tend to drop, this is curable but you need to have hands of a gaenacologist to do it, a pig of a job, but not something to stop you buying a car if it's a good one.
2. both of the s models I have owned do the window thing, the S3c was cured by whipping the rubbers off (the ones at the top) as the glass was rubbing against them and lubricating the runners whilst at it. (I think 'psychobert') has just done this with his V8S.
3. Yes, it's a common thing for the instruments to do that, my V8S does it now, saying that, my S3C rev counter never worked anyway
The most important thing to check is the state of the chassis, have a good poke around for holes - everything else is accessible and easy to source, they are great cars.

1. The doors do tend to drop, this is curable but you need to have hands of a gaenacologist to do it, a pig of a job, but not something to stop you buying a car if it's a good one.
2. both of the s models I have owned do the window thing, the S3c was cured by whipping the rubbers off (the ones at the top) as the glass was rubbing against them and lubricating the runners whilst at it. (I think 'psychobert') has just done this with his V8S.
3. Yes, it's a common thing for the instruments to do that, my V8S does it now, saying that, my S3C rev counter never worked anyway
The most important thing to check is the state of the chassis, have a good poke around for holes - everything else is accessible and easy to source, they are great cars.
Thanks for the replies
Just to recap with the door problem.
The door is gapping out at the bottom i.e. is not flush sith the rear wing.... The front of the door seems flush with the front wing though.
The door does not feel like it has dropped....
Would this still be the case that it can be adjusted.
I know people have said this is a hard job, is this just because of the limited space to get your hand in...
Is there a company that someone could recommend to sort out the door gap....
Thanks
Dave
Just to recap with the door problem.
The door is gapping out at the bottom i.e. is not flush sith the rear wing.... The front of the door seems flush with the front wing though.
The door does not feel like it has dropped....
Would this still be the case that it can be adjusted.
I know people have said this is a hard job, is this just because of the limited space to get your hand in...
Is there a company that someone could recommend to sort out the door gap....
Thanks
Dave
Just spent an hour plus going through the old threads re door problems, replacing/refixing hinges etc.
On a normal metal bodied car, a gapping door at the bottom could be due to it being reskinned and possibly becoming distorted,
The fact that its fibreglass and only sticking out at the bottom rear edge near the rear wing concerns me a little, as its level at the top rear as well as level top and bottom front of the door.
Will door hinge adjustment or striker adjustment bring this level ?
On a normal metal bodied car, a gapping door at the bottom could be due to it being reskinned and possibly becoming distorted,
The fact that its fibreglass and only sticking out at the bottom rear edge near the rear wing concerns me a little, as its level at the top rear as well as level top and bottom front of the door.
Will door hinge adjustment or striker adjustment bring this level ?
daveb7 said:
Just spent an hour plus going through the old threads re door problems, replacing/refixing hinges etc.
On a normal metal bodied car, a gapping door at the bottom could be due to it being reskinned and possibly becoming distorted,
The fact that its fibreglass and only sticking out at the bottom rear edge near the rear wing concerns me a little, as its level at the top rear as well as level top and bottom front of the door.
Will door hinge adjustment or striker adjustment bring this level ?
On a normal metal bodied car, a gapping door at the bottom could be due to it being reskinned and possibly becoming distorted,
The fact that its fibreglass and only sticking out at the bottom rear edge near the rear wing concerns me a little, as its level at the top rear as well as level top and bottom front of the door.
Will door hinge adjustment or striker adjustment bring this level ?
I knew what you meant - mine is exactly like that. I have seen others.
Yes, adjusting the hinge should fix it. I have had 3 goes at mine and it's exactly the same. I don't care any more. Good luck!
Without physically seeing how much it's out it's a bit difficult to say where the adjustment might be needed !?
As the others have said it's a bit tight for adjustment with the door frame and window motor in there. Took me about half a day to get my door shuts fitting, and it's a bit of a trial and error process done bit by bit.... and helps if you have an assistant.
My advice would be to slacken off the two bolts holding each hinge to the door, just enough so that it requires a little force to re-adjust. Sounds as if you might need the top to come out a bit, and raise the back a gnats by adjusting the the door catch on the body.
Also check what your door seal is like, if it's firm at the bottom and not at the top this will also push the bottom of the door out.
Over time they'll go out of alignment again, that's just the way they are because of the hinge design with the central pivot bolt. But it's worth a bit of time to put them a bit straight, such nice lines to look at
As the others have said it's a bit tight for adjustment with the door frame and window motor in there. Took me about half a day to get my door shuts fitting, and it's a bit of a trial and error process done bit by bit.... and helps if you have an assistant.
My advice would be to slacken off the two bolts holding each hinge to the door, just enough so that it requires a little force to re-adjust. Sounds as if you might need the top to come out a bit, and raise the back a gnats by adjusting the the door catch on the body.
Also check what your door seal is like, if it's firm at the bottom and not at the top this will also push the bottom of the door out.
Over time they'll go out of alignment again, that's just the way they are because of the hinge design with the central pivot bolt. But it's worth a bit of time to put them a bit straight, such nice lines to look at

If you poke about at the bottom of the door once the panel is off you will find a bolt either side of the actual hinge bolt...the taller one in the middle.
Slacken them off a few turns and try to pull and push till its straighter.Don't expect perfection but you should be able to improve it so that all the corners are reasonably flush with the wings.
It's great fun!
Slacken them off a few turns and try to pull and push till its straighter.Don't expect perfection but you should be able to improve it so that all the corners are reasonably flush with the wings.
It's great fun!
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