Golf 3 Door Hinge: What to Replace? (Solved)

Hello everyone,

"On my Golf III, the driver's side door always drops down a few millimeters when opened. According to the AKTE parts catalog, there are a total of 4 parts per door (2 separate hinge pieces). Do I need to replace all of them? Or is it only one half of the hinge that typically fails?"


THANK YOU.

Hi,
How does the door drop? Is there excessive play in the hinges, or is the door with the lock simply too deep for the locking bolt?
hg
Herbert.

The parts on the door side (the ones with the hinge pin) need to be replaced.

First, check which hinge is affected and whether the set screws are properly tightened. These screws secure the hinge pins to the hinge half attached to the car body.

Hello.

"If the door is open, you can get it to lift quite a bit. Then you can see that the lower hinge is mostly the one that's loose."

The set screws are tight. If I unscrew them, will the hinge fall apart into two pieces?

"Are the parts on the door frames the same for the 4-door model, right? Could I get some from a scrapyard then? The rear ones are usually in pretty good condition."



THANK YOU.

Quote:

Could I get some from Schrotti, or what?

It's not worth it - they cost 15.- each when new.

Are they already painted, or at least primed?

It is known that the hinges, especially in cars frequently used by grandparents (OMAs & OPAs), tend to wear out quickly, particularly those used for holding the door while getting in and out.
It is usually delivered primed and can be easily painted with a spray can in the desired color. Before installation, it is a good idea to lubricate the hinges properly for a longer lifespan.

Okay, I've skipped over the part about grandma and grandpa for now. I've actually been driving like this for 9 years, but now it's gotten so bad that the TÜV (German technical inspection) is objecting to it.

How do I best do that? Should I unscrew the set screws and then be able to lower the door?
How can I disconnect the cable connection?

THANK YOU.

Quote:

How do I do that best? Should I unscrew the set screws, and then will I be able to lower the door? How can I disconnect the cable connection?

Actually, the door doesn't need to be installed for that.

First, replace the broken hinge.

Loosen the screw on the door, completely unscrew the set screw. An assistant holds the door firmly, replace the hinge, insert the set screw and tighten it properly, adjust the door alignment, and tighten the hinge.

The same applies to the upper hinge.

If necessary, adjustments may need to be made on the body to ensure the door is properly aligned, especially if it still sags. If the door is slightly too high when opening, it can be pressed down slightly in the rear area of the door frame. Ideally, the door should move slightly upwards when opening, as this allows the hinges to settle and prevents the door from sagging further due to its own weight.

Thank you for your help. I ordered the hinges today. They cost 25 euros for 2 pieces.
I will report back after the installation.

vg

Do I need this tool? "Hazet 2597 Quick-Release Bit Holder"

Quote:

Do I need this tool

?

A better option would be to use a Torx bit, but it can also be done with a suitable Torx bit and two sturdy, flat ring wrenches.
It's not a problem on the door side.

It becomes problematic if you need to detach the body side halves. The front screw of the lower hinge is partially covered by the fender.

Overall, you need a bit of improvisational talent.

Hello,

Sure, here's the translation:

"Another question: Am I not allowed to paint the area where the door rests against the frame, specifically where the hinges are?"

THANK YOU.

No, you shouldn't do that, because the door might shift, or you might have to tighten the screws to their maximum load capacity.
A touch of color haze doesn't really hurt.

Then, apply some spray wax or spray lubricant around the edges of the hinge.

Okay, enough chatting --> now let's get to work .

"Okay, enough talk --> let's get to work."

Yes, the Meister door hinges are already painted.

Thanks again for the tips.

Thank you again for your help.
The replacement went smoothly. It turned out that only the lower outer part was damaged.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"vg"

This is a common abbreviation for "very good" in German. It is often used in online forums and chat rooms.
Peter.