Doors

The R4 has two kinds of door.

The early kind has exposed hinges that are fully welded and not adjustable After 1981, a bolted in version is used, which is concealed. Although in theory later doors should fit earlier cars, this may not be straightforward and it is probably prudent to swap like for like. Earlier doors are lifted off their hinges after removal of a small nut off the top pin. Some upward leverage may be required and the door is extremely top heavy when removed due to the weight of the glass. Later doors may be unbolted from the frame via hinge mounted studs and nuts.

Two kinds of sliding window assembly are also found. Steel framed early windows are fixed by a series of small screws through the base of the sliding channel and sealant. They rust badly and can be swapped easily for the later plastic framed variety, which is secured by spring clips under the inner rubber cover strip.

Although assemblies are identical in terms of door aperture, glasses are not interchangeable. Door stops are by way of webbing straps screwed between the door and the frame. with self tappers. Doors can rot out along the bottom of the skin where water collects in the fold over the frame. Repair sections can be bought from Franzose De but the thin gauge metal is hard to weld without blow through or distortion, and a joddled joint, plug welded, is a better option. If the door is a later type, then a second-hand item may be a better bet than an extensive rust repair. Earlier doors are however, rare secondhand.

Trim strips are held on by push in plastic clips, still available new from Franzose, but if authenticity isn’t an issue, Bresco have a similar replacement that is much cheaper. GTL models also have plastic panels clipped over the lower face of the door skin.

Door mechanisms can be unscrewed after removing the inner trim, along with external handles (chrome or grey plastic, both are interchangeable). Strikers on door pillars are adjustable by slackening the Torx bolts, although the resultant range of movement isn’t great. Door shut lines are generous especially along the front door edge to the A Panel.

Door mirrors are fixed via machine screws into threaded inserts into the offside door skin on UK models. Replacements are available at a price, both in original black plastic and chrome. Franzose usually have some in stock and Ebay is also worth watching for NOS items which crop up from time to time.