1935 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

Fisher Body Service Manual, 1936
1936
SERVICE FEATURES
DOORS
There is perhaps no other part of a Body structure subject
to more actual use than are the Doors of an automobile body.
When one considers the number of times the Doors are
opened and closed, sometimes with force, the weight of the
Doors themselves on the Hinges and Dovetail Assemblies;
the continual use of Door Handles and Regulator Handles
with the operation of Windows up and down, it is only
reasonable to suppose that Doors and their mechanical parts
certainly need maintenance from time to time. This is particularly
true of the Front Doors.
Barring an accident, a Door will remain in shape almost
indefinitely. When a Door fits the Door Opening poorly, it is
either improperly hinged to the Body Hinge Pillar, which
will show at the vertical spacing on the hinge side of the
Door, or the Door Opening is out of true, usually by reason
of improper shimming of the Body on the Chassis.
1. VERTICAL SPACING
(Wedge Plate and Door Side Rubber Bumpers are removed.)
1. Check the Vertical Spacing at the Hinge side.
(See Illustration No. 177 at A.)
Illustration No. 178
Belt Molding Alignment.
Illustration No. 177
Front Door Vertical Spacing.
CHECKING A 1936 FRONT DOOR
In order to get a proper check on the fit of a Front Door,
it is necessary to remove the Wedge Plate from the Door and
also the Door Side Rubber Bumpers. This allows the Door
to act free on the Hinges.
1. Check the Vertical Spacing at the Hinge side of the
Door.
2. Check the Lock Side of the Door for Belt Molding
Alignment.
3. Check for a Sprung Door. Door Flanges should be flush
with the Body Panels except at the Roof Drip Molding.
Any one of the above three conditions may be the cause
or the effect of a badly fitted Door and under separate Headings
each of these conditions will be further explained with
the necessary correction given.
On some Bodies this spacing width may be :¾ inch and on
others % inch, but it should be nearly equal from top to
bottom.
Unequal spacing indicates either loose screws or a bent
Hinge.
Loose Hinge Screws should be tightened securely. A bent
Hinge should be removed and straightened, as follows:
1. Remove Hinge Pin and Hinge Screws from bent half.
2. Separate at joint and remove the Hinge half.
3. Place in Bench Vise up to the bend.
4. Straighten with hardwood block and heavy hammer.
2. BELT ^ALIGNMENT
(Wedge Plate and Rubber Bumpers are out.)
Vertical Spacing is equally spaced. Rear Door (if a Sedan
is used) is in alignment.
2. The Door Belt Molding must line up with the Belt
Molding on the Body Panels. If it does not, the Door is
spoken of as too high or too low.
To correct, adjust the shim at the Body Bolt nearest the
Body Pillar where the Door is hung. (No. 2 Body Bolt.)
Loosen No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 Body Bolts and adjust the shim
thickness at No. 2 Body Bolt and probably at No. 1. If Door
is low increase thickness of Shim. If Door is High decrease
thickness of Shim, then adjust all Bolts to proper tightness.
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