Wind caught my door... Pop! Is it broken or not? Anyone had this happen?

I know that's an odd question but I really don't know if it's broken but I'm leaning yes. We've had some higher than usual wind here in Colorado and the end of last week I parked my truck and when I got out the wind caught my door before I could even catch the handle. It snapped open very violently and came to the end of the catch or whatever that piece is that also helps to hold it open at a couple of spots when you are on level ground. There was a loud 'Pop!' and I also heard what sounded like maybe plastic pieces falling to the bottom inside the door. I carefully examined the outside expecting to see the front fender, door skin or both bent and caved in from cramming into each other. Happily it appeared as though there isn't any metal/paint damage and the hinges also appear fine. Needless to say I cussed, closed the door and went on with my dinner plans. Once I got home I examined things a little more carefully and for the life of me I just can't see anything wrong. It appears as though the door opens further but I still don't see what the limiter is which leads me to believe that that little catch thingy is doing it's job. The door feels like it opens further or differently but I'm not sure if that's paranoia or not. The part itself is $106 through my dealer (I think I've seen it under $80 online) so it's something cheap I would replace just to be sure. I guess I want to be sure it's broken before I throw nearly $100 out the window.

Has anyone else had this happen and can you tell me if it is indeed that part that's broken? I'm leaning towards ordering it up just to be safe but I want to be sure that that part is actually broken and that it's not something I can just fix myself with a little ingenuity. The parts fella at my local Toyota shop wasn't much help other than telling me the price and availability. There used to be a guy there who I could tell him a problem with one of my Toyotas and he would instantly know what was wrong and if it needed replaced or not but he's no longer there.

Anyone have any input on this or first hand experience?

 

have you tried measuring the pass door if there is a difference?

 

Haven't had the time yet.

 

well shit, I wish you luck man. only thing I can tell you is my driver rear door kinda did that but not to that degree and it still works great just wont stay open as well as the other 3.

 

I think the best thing to do is remove the door panel and take a look at whats broken/in pieces before you order the part(s).

The panel can be removed in under 10 minutes... easy stuff.

 

I had the same thing happen. Mine cracked the sealant (looks like a painted over weld) on the hinge and bent it slightly. I can't see the bend, but the door very slightly Knicks the guide/latch when closing. Mine swung out hard enough that it pulled it out of my hand, put a football size dent in the car next to me, and still damaged the door. Nothing to fix or replace though.

 

I have seen these get bent on other cars etc and hit the door window when it rolls down. One guy on another forum broke his window when he rolled it down. Best to pull the door panel and have a look, make sure that the window doesn't hit the door stop when it goes down.

 

The door stop is a black piece of plastic that bolts to the inner door jab just below the top hinge and goes into the side of the door, that's usually what breaks when the door is over extended.
I highly doubt that piece costs $106.

 

The door check ( proper name ) looks to be part # 68610-04021 and runs about $106.14. Piece # 19 in the drawing below.

Better price at Amazon $ 88.72:

$90 Toyota Door Check Asm - 68610-04021

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyot...8349252&sr=8-1&keywords=Door+check+6861004021

 

19 is your door " limiter" after that your hammer on the hinges . And yes the pillar where hinges mount to the cab then bad bad things.

 

Hey! You read my post pretty well!

 

Sorry I haven't updated as I've been pretty busy lately and this has been on the back burner as it doesn't appear to be catastrophic in nature. In fact, it seems like the catch or limiter might still be in play because when I open it to it's full length it still looks like it may be preventing the door from coming up against the actual hardware as the limiter. It almost like it failed but not entirely. Either way, I ordered a new limited (#19) and I plan to pull the door panel off (I've had it off numerous times before so I'm quite familiar with the process and even broke a push pin plastic connector thingy -by the side mirror- from too much use) and take a look at the function from the inside and see what the mystery piece is that I heard fall inside of the door when it happened. My guess is that it's not complete broken but broken enough that I'll want to change it while I'm at it. I'll get peace of mind and a door that likely will stay partially open a little bit better than it did due to new detents or whatever you want to call the spots where it holds the door on the limiter. I'll report back my findings in case someone else has a similar issue. I'm surprised more haven't had this happen actually.

 

Thanks for the update!

 

I had the same thing happen, bent the top hinge. The door is bulged out a bit just below the window because of it. Also ripped the check (limiter) bolt out of the pillar. The nut (which was spot welded inside the pillar) is also gone, down inside the pillar. I have drilled the hole out with a step bit to the size of an 8mm flange nut, which will be welded in place. I don't have a mig welder, so I'm having the whole job done at a body shop I trust, estimate about $200, if he doesn't find any other damage. Ins. would cover it, but I didn't make a claim, cheaper in the long run.

I had better luck searching for a door check, rather than limiter. Found an OEM on ebay for $80, comes from Tampa Bay Toyota.

Photo is a flange nut held in place by a magnet, ready to weld. Two small extra holes are from a first attempt to attach a small strip of 1/8" aluminum w/8mm threaded center hole which worked ok temporarily, but the otherwise perfect truck is worthy of a better fix.

Thanks all for a wealth of information on this obscure topic!

Additional: Fix completed. R&R top hinge, weld in new nut and fill extra holes, paint touch-up, took 2 hrs. cost $200, then I changed the door check myself, by removing the door panel, pulling the check out through an existing hole, about 15 minutes, no more pop! Glad to have it fixed!

 

Hope you left a note.

 

Even better. Paid and replaced. All new again.

 

Yep! It happened to me about 6 months after I brought my 01 Tacoma. I was in Palmdale, CA in a shopping center parking lot about to exit the drivers side when at the exact moment a desert wind came up from behind me. I thought was going to rip my drivers door off. It nearly knocked me to the ground but I was still holding onto the door. My door closes just fine, but now instead of opening at a max of a 45 degree angle, it now opens up completely out to about a 90 degree angle. Funny, not noticeable to anyone else besides me.

 

Hey, sometimes I wish mine opened to a 90! Better access when jumping up in.

Mine is still holding strong. No further damage other than the slight bending and the crack on the weld/seal of the bracket. Still sits sliiiightly crooked, but otherwise fine. Unless I'm all twisty when offroading, and I open the door. Then it gets into a bit of a bind.

 

Been there. Done that. Ruined all of my power window components because of stuff bent inside. Cost a pretty penny.

 

How much was a pretty penny I might ask? I am in same boat! Arrghhh!!!