I posted before about my '92 Sentra having a saggy driver's door. the lower hinge is worn out so the door "clunks" when opened or closed.
I've debated fixing it, but I put a lot of time into fixing other stuff on the car when I got it, and had lots of problems with bolts snapping off, even though I am very careful in working on it- 176K and 17 years in the Rust Belt tend to make fasteners rather fragile.
So, I let it be. In the past month, however, it has developed a new trick- the door doesn't shut all the way, if you don't notice it, it leaves the warning light on the dash on and runs the battery down. The first time, I was parked on a hill and bump started the car. I then put a spare battery and jumper cables in the trunk. After I figured out what must have happened, I then turned the dome light switch back on and made a two part check getting out of the car- 1. door is fully shut. 2. visual check that the dome light is not on.
Still, this seems rather tedious, and having a dead battery always happens at the worst time. I had been debating ordering a new hinge from Courtesy Nissan, along with a few other parts, but had put it off.
I then realized that my registration was due the end of this month- about $60.00, non-refundable. My inspection was also up next month.
So, I got the car inspected, which it passed with no surprises. So, door or no door, I can drive the car for another year, so the registration is worthwhile. I then went out to spray the hinge bolts and fender bolts with Liquid Wrench to let them start loosening up for a week or so until the parts were ordered and delivered. I then thought to try loosening the bolts holding the hinge to the door, because they are accessible (the hinge to body bolts require the fender to be removed). They loosened without much more than loosen-spray-tighten-spray-loosen more-remove. Surprise!
It then occurred to me that placing some washers under the hinge would take up the "slop" and perhaps fix the problem. Half-assed, yes, but worth a try on a car on its last legs.
Half an hour with a hydraulic jack, assorted washers, wrenches, screwdrivers and other implements of destruction later, the door was fixed. It opens and shuts like a dream. I wish I had fixed it two years ago when I got it.
I'm still in shock. Anyhow, I hope this story helps somebody with the same problem.