Im having this problem where if i close my door it doesnt always close properly, it sort of catches on something i think, not sure what, but i have to slam it to get it to close properly

Any fixes?

 

Leave the window cracked.

 

thats how mine is and ive found out that some of the rubber door trim sealer(?) has sort of become loose is some spots and that is causing the dorr not to close all the way unless its slammed. So that could be your problem

 

I've seen a buddy's FD that closed a little "low" - I think the door must have been replaced at some point.

Anyhow, we put a floor jack and some rags under the door, loosened the mounting bolts, raised the door up a bit, retightened - good to go. It was just out of alignment a bit.

His was actually scraping the metal around the door latch.

Dale

 

If you just have to push it harder to shut, it's just the air not being able to escape when the door closes.

On the sun/moon roof versions, you'll see it sort of pop up when you close the doors as the air escapes up through it.

 

wow sounds like a flaw in the design, i bet all the Spirit R cars close perfectly

 

There's a vent at the left rear of the car that's supposed to let the air out, but it's not sufficient when closing the door with all windows closed.
Well, technically I guess it's for cabin air venting, not for door closing.
It's like a flapper valve.
You may be able to hear it operate if you listen for it.
See page S-20 of the shop manual.

 

to see if it is a trapped air problem , leave the window of the opposite door open. If the problem door still does not close properly it is the alignment

 

how about the doors sounding nasty when you shut it? How do you fix that problem? My friend's door closes perfectly with a small click sound, while mine is like slam then toom!. Sound like a hollow metal case closing.

 

Mine does the same thing...I find if I leave the window slightly open (bout 1cm) it will close fine. My two friends with FD are the same.

 

im suprised no one has mentioned the obvious...

OIL THEM HINGES!!!

i oiled mine and the locking mechinisms and they close very nicely now.

 

definitely lube up the latch and also the hinge with some WD40 or silicon spray lube.

overall, its a very tight body structure where the cabin doesn't let a lot of air escape when doing things like closing the door. just close them a little harder. its the price you pay for a tight body structure.

as far as sound, that is due to lack of any major sound deadening material on the thin lightweight doors. Solution? Add some dynomat type stuff to the doors. Adding dynomat will probably make the door not closing due to air problem a little worse, but will also make the car quieter.

search on that for more info.

 

As far as the sound, check the Interior section about "sound deadening". That will reduce the "hollow" sound.

 

Dynamat helped mine some but still doesn't close right even with new weatherstripping. Keeping the recirculate off on the HVAC system helps

 

My drivers door hinges are worn, so I have to use a bit of force to close it, while the pass. door is fine. The pin wears, but of course you can't just buy the pin. New hinge time! $$$$ If you try to move the door up and down when it's open, you can check for worn hinges.