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Doors don't like to hold position when open

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by btse6, Oct 16, 2012.

  1. btse6

    btse6 Junior Member

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    The little device that helps hold doors open (so they don’t swing freely) aren’t very effective on my ’09 model. Actually, it's only a problem on the front doors. The rear doors hold position quite well. The front doors have always been a problem and I wonder if is this typical. Is there a fix (other than replacement)?

    Thanks,
    Tom
     
    #1 btse6, Oct 16, 2012
  2. pjc

    pjc Member

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    I have the same experience with my '09. If I'm on any sort of an incline in the wrong direction, the doors swing shut on me.

    In my last car (a Volvo wagon), I had the little mechanism break that does this, and it was fixable -- pretty expensive, though.
     
    #2 pjc, Oct 16, 2012
  3. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I thought it was just mine. Personally I'd rather the wear slack that wear tight like some.
     
    #3 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 16, 2012
  4. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Same problem on my 2008.
     
    #4 xpcman, Oct 16, 2012
  5. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I thought it was just me. I guess it is the car after all.
     
    #5 2009Prius, Oct 16, 2012
  6. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    That's the way the car is designed. You can swap the hinges with other makes that have larger "detents" in them. Remember this makes the door less smooth when it opens and if you want it open to a setting other than the detent, it is hard.
     
    #6 2k1Toaster, Oct 16, 2012
  7. btse6

    btse6 Junior Member

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    Hmmm. Maybe I'll try swapping the ones from the front and rear doors (if they look like the same dimensions, etc.)
     
    #7 btse6, Oct 17, 2012
  8. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    I did this this weekend. I noticed today exciting the car it no longer closed automatically
    IMG_2919.JPG
    The hold open tensioner is the same on all four doors.


    iPhone ?
     
    #8 Paul Schenck, Nov 5, 2019
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    never lubricated. Wear out.
     
    #9 edthefox5, Nov 9, 2019
    Paul Schenck likes this.
  10. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    You’re right Ed, I never did though it seems they’re made of a graphite composite. Self lubricating?


    iPhone ?
     
    #10 Paul Schenck, Nov 10, 2019
  11. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I just use CSP spray grease on everything that moves on my cars and house. have fantastic results. No smell either.
     
    #11 edthefox5, Nov 10, 2019
  12. George W

    George W Senior Member

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    Is it difficult to change those? Are they new, or new 'old stock'? Thanksl
     
    #12 George W, Nov 10, 2019
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I think very easy outside bolts on the jamb if I'm not incorrect. Paul?
     
    #13 edthefox5, Nov 10, 2019
  14. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    Once you remove the door panel you can get to them by cutting the vapor barrier and reaching it from there. Or you could do as I did and time it to when you wanted to replace the speaker and use that opening


    iPhone ? View attachment 181779
     
    #14 Paul Schenck, Nov 14, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2019
  15. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Or just peel the barrier open partially from its glue. Glue stays tacky so you can just press is back afterwords. Barrier is there for a reason so don't just cut it. Or if you did cut it at least fix it.
     
    #15 valde3, Nov 14, 2019
    Paul Schenck and George W like this.
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