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sailor723
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« on: February 13, 2009, 11:16:50 am » |
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It's quite windy here today and the drivers door was pulled out of my hand and flew open to the stops when I went to get out. Now it's binding and acting like something is either bent or sprung in the hinge system and the door is catching on the rear edge of the front fender. I'm taking the car in Monday for a lubrication service and annual safety inspection so I'll get it checked out then. Here's my question.....Warranty or not if the hinges bent? I can see how you could argue either way.On one hand the wind did swing it open quite sharply (wind damage).On the other hand it wasn't exactly a hurricane and the door didn't swing much differently than if you were parked on a steep hill and let the door go. (The kind of forces that could reasonably be expected from time to time and should be allowed for in the design) What do you think?
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My first ever GM ownership experience can best be described as "Fool me once...."
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tpl
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« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2009, 11:20:16 am » |
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Could it just be that the door is now slightly out of alignment and a loosening and retightening of the bolts will do it? I have owned cars where the door hinges had some designed in adjustment, done by making one set of holes ( body or hinge plates) a bit too big. |
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It is a narrow policy to suppose that this country or that is to be marked out as the eternal ally or the perpetual enemy of England. We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.
Lord Palmerston
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dr_spock
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« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2009, 12:53:24 pm » |
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Insurance companies would classify it as an act of God. Warranty might cover if the hinge mount bolts weren't torqued to specs.
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Squishy
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« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2009, 04:36:08 pm » |
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I'm thinking this would be something for insurance to cover as well. |
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  The Garage:1999 Ford Escort SE, 2001 Acura MDX, 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES, 2003 Ford Escape XLS |
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Cord
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« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2009, 06:03:17 pm » |
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Sure doesn't sound like a warranty issue. Sort of like sliding on ice into a curb and then claiming they should design wheels that don't dent. |
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initial_D
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« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2009, 06:12:10 pm » |
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I will try to claim warranty. |
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HeliDriver
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« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2009, 06:56:48 pm » |
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I say it's not a warranty issue.
I've had the wind catch a few doors on me, and every time I've been pissed at myself for not holding on properly. Thankfully, none have ever been damaged, but if so, it would never have crossed my mind that it was anyone's fault but my own. Same thing with letting go of the door on a steep hill, IMO. |
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barrie1
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« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2009, 08:24:24 pm » |
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Even if the hinges are slightly bent or out of alignment a good bodyshop should be able to pull the door back and straighten everything out fairly easy. Hinges may have to be replaced if they are bent bit usually they are not all that expensive to buy. I wore them out on my old truck and installed new aluminum ones for a very resonable price.  |
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sirAQUAMAN64
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« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2009, 09:40:37 am » |
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Not warranty.
Story time: On a very windy day (80km/h gusts) I needed to get something out of the hatch on my '01 Golf 3dr. Asked my brother's EX-girlfriend to please hold the driver's door for me. Big mistake. She went 'Oh, I need something too...' walking to the rear and let go of the door and the thing caught the wind good. I went to close the door and it wouldn't... had dropped like an inch from normal! I had to lift the door and bump it good with my body to close. Not fun. Anyhow, it had huge anchors and mount points but 2 VW body shops told me they could adjust it as best they could, but would likely need ongoing adjustments as the bend could not be permanently fixed or replaced. True to their word, that was the case, adjusted it twice in the final year I had it.
So don't leave your doors ajar on windy days, folks. Oh, and don't drive in the ocean to take a 'cool photo' either, but that's a story for another day.  |
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sailor723
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« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2009, 04:33:30 pm » |
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Well....the bad news is "no warranty" (as I really sort of expected). The good news is the dealership bodyshop adjusted it back (nothing bent) and the charge was only 1 hour ($50). Hopefully the fix lasts. |
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My first ever GM ownership experience can best be described as "Fool me once...."
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