Prado 120 Rear door sagging-Solution?

[KarlG]

Hi. I did the fix that thread talks about wrt adding some washers under the hinges to lift the door slightly. Working well so far. Unfortunately no idea what to do about the Crack you mention but the washers work.

[James89]

Hi. I did the fix that thread talks about wrt adding some washers under the hinges to lift the door slightly. Working well so far. Unfortunately no idea what to do about the Crack you mention but the washers work.

Hi Karl,

Do you possibly have a photo of where you put the washers? I tried, but am struggling to find where they must go.

Kind Regards,

James

[KarlG]

I'll take a picture tonight

[Adam Stander]

James, you fit the washers between the door and the bottom hinge.
My door is also cracked at the seam so I might have to fit another 1-2mm as it's starting to sag again.

[James89]

James, you fit the washers between the door and the bottom hinge.
My door is also cracked at the seam so I might have to fit another 1-2mm as it's starting to sag again.

Hi Adam,

Thanks a lot!

That looks identical to mine. This might sound silly, but do I take loosen the bolts (they seem sealed) and take door off or leave and then simply put washers onto bolt?

[Edw1n]

Is the door then still dust proof?

[KarlG]

Just undo the bolts, slip the washers on and redo. No need to take door off. I loosened bolts and then just did one at a time. Bear in mind they have not been undone for a while so may be tight initially.

[KarlG]

Edwn1n no dust issues all you are doing is making it close easier. Still seals the same.

[James89]

Just undo the bolts, slip the washers on and redo. No need to take door off. I loosened bolts and then just did one at a time. Bear in mind they have not been undone for a while so may be tight initially.

Awesome, thanks a lot, will do it this weekend. Is there any specific washer you used?

[Adam Stander]

Loosen the bottom bolts only, do not remove the door. It's heavier than you think.
Loosen both bottom bolts until you have a few mm play, then wedge something under the far end of door to lift it.
Remove 1 bolt, fit washer then replace the bolt.
Remove 2nd bolt, fit washer and replace bolt.
Remove the wedge from door and tighten bolts.

Because the hinge turns 90deg the washers move the lock upwards when in closed position and nothing more.

Makes no difference to the seals at all.

I used SS washers if I remember correctly so that there shouldn't be any rust issues.

[Edw1n]

[Adam Stander]

I did the following over the weekend as from this youtube video.

Unfortunately I don't have the correct gas shock as mine doesn't do the soft ending like his, so I still have to catch it.
I'm looking for the correct shock and then it's just a matter of swopping out.

[Edw1n]

Thanks for the video.

[James89]

Loosen the bottom bolts only, do not remove the door. It's heavier than you think.
Loosen both bottom bolts until you have a few mm play, then wedge something under the far end of door to lift it.
Remove 1 bolt, fit washer then replace the bolt.
Remove 2nd bolt, fit washer and replace bolt.
Remove the wedge from door and tighten bolts.

Because the hinge turns 90deg the washers move the lock upwards when in closed position and nothing more.

Makes no difference to the seals at all.

I used SS washers if I remember correctly so that there shouldn't be any rust issues.

Did this and it worked perfectly! Bolts very tight initially. Definitely take spare tyre off and also get someone to hold up door/ take off weight.

[Adam Stander]

This is an update on my last post regarding the gas strut upgrade.
Please don't do it!
The single fixing point on the door is not strong enough to support all the power while opening and closing.
It actually breaks loose but thank goodness it isn't just a nut, it is a little plate on the inside.
So your door starts getting play because the end isn't fixed anymore.
Yesterday I refitted the old mechanism by using the bolt to just pull the nut/plate down and tight, so at least not all lost.
Not sure how to load a photo on the app via phone.

Just don't do it!

[warrenkeith]

Seam on the door splits causing door to sag to confirm this, open door and push it further open against hinge and watch the outer vs inner skin by bottom hinge. had same problem and replaced the door. TSA supplied the door free of charge my car was way out of warranty and no full Toyota service history, I just had it painted and spent weekend swapping door.

What year model was/is your Prado?