Door fix?

[Longo]

Got most of the inner door panel off but chickened out as the switches wouldn't release. So, the dent in the door remains for the time being



Still sitting proud at the bottom of the panel which probably isn't helping.



Took a pad of rags & a wrench handle to the top of the door

Before.....



After.....



The improvement looks marginal but a quick blast along the A30 reveals huge improvement with vibration & wind noise. I think I can live with it for now......

[bigdaddycain]

I reckon your existing door is salvageable... If you open the door, take a good strong grip at the top (left hand) grab the door midway near the handle (right hand) Pull hard with your right hand, and push inwards with your left you'll bend the door back into it's original position,take it slow, and keep on shutting the door to test for fit. Keep the window down of course so you don't crack it!

A stick with a rag should pop out the worst of the lower dent, push at the point of impact from the inside, visualize the angle at which the door was struck, then maintain that impact angle to push it back out if possible.

I'd treat the break in the paintwork sooner rather than later (especially at this time of year) Before it turns rusty.

[bigdaddycain]

I've just noticed you have the larger of the wind deflectors fitted to your bongo, those type are known to cause a lot of turbulence, and can actually flex the upper part of the door at cruising speeds on the motorway, especially if you have a headwind from the 1-3 o clock direction.

Looks like you are making good progress with the repairs. Tip: Stick masking tape on the inside of the door whilst using the padded stick to push out dents, less chance of the stick slipping if approaching from an angle.

[Longo]

I've just noticed you have the larger of the wind deflectors fitted to your bongo, those type are known to cause a lot of turbulence, and can actually flex the upper part of the door at cruising speeds on the motorway, especially if you have a headwind from the 1-3 o clock direction.

Looks like you are making good progress with the repairs. Tip: Stick masking tape on the inside of the door whilst using the padded stick to push out dents, less chance of the stick slipping if approaching from an angle.

Thanks for the tips & advice.

I did get the feeling, since the dent, the deflector wasn't helping. I'll keep at it & hopefully things will go back where they belong!

[mikeonb4c]

I've just noticed you have the larger of the wind deflectors fitted to your bongo, those type are known to cause a lot of turbulence, and can actually flex the upper part of the door at cruising speeds on the motorway, especially if you have a headwind from the 1-3 o clock direction.

Now he tells me! If you'd only told me that when I was Bongo hunting, I wouldn't have bought the one I did

Seriously though, how interesting and I'd not heard that before about the big wind deflectors (though I'd heard general stories about the door in high winds). It never happened to me until a few months ago when, thinking back, the wind was blowing across from left to right at about that angle and the top of the drivers door started to flex as described. I thought it was all rather exciting and added to the indiosyncrasity (hows that for a word!) of the Bongo.

I like the big wind deflectors though. They do a grand job at keeping rain and slipstream out of the way. On the subject of wind and Bongo doors, one thing I have scratched my head about (but without coming up with a solution) is whether you could attach a limiter chain/strap and connector as insurance against opening the door absentmindedly with a strong wind behind you and having it snap back with resultant damage (its happened to a few Bongo peeps I think)