So my driver side door has some play to it. It shuts and lines up fine. When wide open I can lift up holding the handle, about an inch. The bottom hinge has seen better days, so I got a new replacement. I have the door supported and am planning on removing it from the car. When I removed two of the three bolts from the top hinge, I noticed that the backing/screw plate on the inside (behind the trim panel) of the door seemed like it was going to fall into the frame of the door.
So my question is this, can I safely remove all of the bolts without this happening? I hope this makes sense.
It's been a long time since I've done mine but, I believe that plate just kind of floats in there and will move around some. It shouldn't go any where though. If I remember right, it is that way to adjust the door.
Mine didn't fall in. I got it all bolted up, however my door is now way off. It shuts, but there is a big gap at the back of the window. I kind of wish I just left it alone.
The reason those backing plates are looesly held into the structure of the A pillar is because this is how the door is adjusted to fit.
If the rear edge of your door glass isn't as it should be, loosen the A pillar door hinge bolts and slide the door back (or wherever it needs to be) until everything is lined up properly.
The gap around the door should be approx. 3/16ths of an inch.... the equivalant of the thickness of a paint stirring stick.
It's a PITA sometimes to get the door in the perfect spot, but if you play around with it long enough, you'll get it.
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Replacing a door hinge - 
But I was able to fish them out by taking the kick panel off 
