Entry Door Removal

[Koop]

My brother in law and I just inherited a 1974 Overlander. Unfortunately, the entry door is sprung. So we need to remove it to start the reallignment process. Being rookies, we don't know how to remove the door from the hinge. There is a pin but how do you remove the pin? Or do we have to remove the hinge? That looks tougher. I suppose there is a nut behind the two screws holding each hinge . . . but we have not removed the interior skin and hope not to do so. Anyone know the process of removing the entry door. Thanks for your help.

[2airishuman]

hi koop and welcome to the forums!!!

take some pictures of the door, openednclosed...

and post them here for better help.

my limited understanding is that most door alignment issues are solved...

while the door is ON the trailer.

reshaping the door (while still on the trailer) often involves 2x4s, grunting and sweat.

the tiny pins can be driven out to split the hinge but doing so is NOT usually recommended.

again post some photos so that those who know can see what issues exist.

cheers
2air'

[Fyrzowt]

Welcome to the forums!
Here are a few threads to keep you busy reading for a while. There are also links to other threads imbeded in some of these. Good luck.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...ack-32835.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...out-34297.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...ion-33968.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...ose-31022.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...oor-26820.html

[Koop]

Thanks so much for your replies and guidance. I'll try to get my brother in law to take a few photos but the information provided is really a great help. We're on our way and thank you so much for pointing us is the right direction.

[2airishuman]

hi koop

disclaimer: i've never done a repair like this...

but i do enjoy watching others fix things!

it looks like part of the challenge is determining the issue (alignment, shape, loose hinges, accident damage) related to the door fit.

then it appears important to know if the door frame is forged/cast aluminum (older) or extruded (newer) construction.

since the cast material cannot be reshaped.

it looks like one approach is to remove the door 'inner skin'
shape the outer skin to fit and then re rivet the inner skin to hold the shape...

here are a couple of additional relevant threads....

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...pair-1564.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f420...door-1553.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...ack-32835.html

there are other threads with photos too.

i'm always surprised by how much the photos help solve problems.

u may need new door gaskets and that's a whole nother subject with many threads too!

good luck!
2air'

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Koop

My brother in law and I just inherited a 1974 Overlander. Unfortunately, the entry door is sprung. So we need to remove it to start the reallignment process. Being rookies, we don't know how to remove the door from the hinge. There is a pin but how do you remove the pin? Or do we have to remove the hinge? That looks tougher. I suppose there is a nut behind the two screws holding each hinge . . . but we have not removed the interior skin and hope not to do so. Anyone know the process of removing the entry door. Thanks for your help.

It's not necessary to remove the door in order to realign it.

Andy