Problem with slow swinging, "heavy" feeling door

[PNW Avant]

I've had this issue with my car ever since I got it a year ago. The passenger door has a very heavy feeling to it. The driver's side and rear doors will swing close easily with only the flick of the wrist. The same effort on the passenger door won't even get it to meet the car/hinge.

It's not sagging, or in need of a strike plate adjustment, I think, because the door is aligned perfectly to the car and doesn't really have much of an issue actually latching. It's just slow, heavy, and cumbersome throughout the door's entire range of motion. White lithium grease slathered all other the exposed parts of the hinge didn't really do anything.

Do the hinges just "wear out"? I suppose I could take it to the dealer but I would like to avoid that if possible. How much would it be to replace the hinge? Do hinges need to be painted?

[ef1018]

I've had this issue with my car ever since I got it a year ago. The passenger door has a very heavy feeling to it. The driver's side and rear doors will swing close easily with only the flick of the wrist. The same effort on the passenger door won't even get it to meet the car/hinge.

It's not sagging, or in need of a strike plate adjustment, I think, because the door is aligned perfectly to the car and doesn't really have much of an issue actually latching. It's just slow, heavy, and cumbersome throughout the door's entire range of motion. White lithium grease slathered all other the exposed parts of the hinge didn't really do anything.

Do the hinges just "wear out"? I suppose I could take it to the dealer but I would like to avoid that if possible. How much would it be to replace the hinge? Do hinges need to be painted?

The hinges need to be replaced. Should be repainted. Any good body shop can do it.

[yeoj112689]

Simple fix for this. Do not let anyone ride in your car :D

Jk i had a different car (92 chevy lumina) as my first car and the same issue. Granted they are not the same cars but had the same problem.

I greased the hell out of it, took it apart tried multiple things. Found out the hinge has been worn to the point where it made groves and was grinding the entire time.

Like you I never had issues with it latching or lining up. Just did not want to shut easy. Ended up just dealing with it because of the age of the car plus I as young and broke.

[PNW Avant]

It bugs the hell out of my girlfriend, and it bugs the hell out of me that she never closes it enough!

Should I replace both the upper and lower hinges?

[Silveravant]

Strange that the passenger door hinges would wear out before drivers side. Used a lot less.

[PNW Avant]

I think there may have been existing damage to the door but I'm not sure. Nothing came up on the carfax when I got the car but there are some minor indications that work has been done in the area.

[00_Bora]

my drivers side door has this same problem. I've just been trying to tell myself its a good workout for my arms to close it instead of addressing it, haha

[yeoj112689]

There could have been dirt build up in there grinding away (sort of like a half-shaft when the boot rips) every time it was opened or just bad luck. If you are going to replace one I would replace both. Be careful when taking the door off for the wiring that goes in it.

I do not see why this wouldnt fix it.

[Charles.waite]

Dude!

So my B7 was like this when I got it too! Bugged the ever living shit out of my wife. The dealer (University) said it needed new hinges too, and that would cost me $500. I tried White lithium grease as well and nothing.

Then I let my buddy borrow it for a day and when he brought it back the door swung smoothly. Who the hell knows what he did but it was fixed. I asked him about it and he just shrugged. Said he did nothing at all, haha.

[PNW Avant]

Weird...does he need a ride somewhere? I'd gladly take him for a ride considering it sounds like that might fix it!

Hinges should be ~$150 + paint + installation if I buy GAP. I have a spray can of ibis white so I suppose I could try it myself. I'd probably leave that to a professional, though. I have a friend I might inquire with.

Yeo, thanks for the tip on the wiring. I know how to access the plug to disconntect the wiring from the car-side of the harness

[Charles.waite]

Weird...does he need a ride somewhere? I'd gladly take him for a ride considering it sounds like that might fix it!

Hinges should be ~$150 + paint + installation if I buy GAP. I have a spray can of ibis white so I suppose I could try it myself. I'd probably leave that to a professional, though. I have a friend I might inquire with.

Yeo, thanks for the tip on the wiring. I know how to access the plug to disconntect the wiring from the car-side of the harness

Well he lives in Vermont soooo...

If I knew what happened to fix the door, I would for sure pass it along. Damn 2008 B7s. Its like they assembled them with the "C" team at the factory...

[schmiesus]

"S" Team you mean

[steven_1104235]

Had the same problem last winter, got worst and worst until my normal swing would only close the door to the middle notch. Tried the white lithium grease as well with the same results. Then one day I was spraying the suspension down with pb blaster, and i sprayed a little(numerous times) on the hinges. Worked ok at first, but later that day when I went out it felt as though I turned into the hulk, they flew open and closed with no effort at all. When I swung the door open as I normally would it swung back and slammed shut. Not WD40, Liquid Wrench, but PB BLASTER. Now I spray some on every oil change and it keeps them nice and lubricated.

[PNW Avant]

Nice, thanks for the tip! I guess next step will be to de-grease the absolute hell out of it, reapply lithium, see what happens.

[yeoj112689]

Had the same problem last winter, got worst and worst until my normal swing would only close the door to the middle notch. Tried the white lithium grease as well with the same results. Then one day I was spraying the suspension down with pb blaster, and i sprayed a little(numerous times) on the hinges. Worked ok at first, but later that day when I went out it felt as though I turned into the hulk, they flew open and closed with no effort at all. When I swung the door open as I normally would it swung back and slammed shut. Not WD40, Liquid Wrench, but PB BLASTER. Now I spray some on every oil change and it keeps them nice and lubricated.

Maybe there is rust build up in there? PB blaster eats rust. Be careful about getting it on your paint though.

[PNW Avant]

Maybe there is rust build up in there? PB blaster eats rust. Be careful about getting it on your paint though.

I'm going to try a strong, natural degreaser first, and see what happens.