OEM door support/brace on targa cars - is it necessary??

tekdeus

tekdeus

Pronounced Tek-DAY-us
Jan 23, 2006
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The door braces that fit into the body on targa cars(pic below), what's their real purpose? Is it so that the door can align and shut better if you're parked on a very uneven surface with the targa out? Some say they are for overall structural integrity, but this doesn't seem useful, since any play in the front door hinges would not allow the doors to act as bracing.

I'm wondering because I installed non-targa car doors onto my targa car, as mine were rusty. I'm hoping they're not necessary!
 

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figgie

Supramania Contributor
Mar 30, 2005
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Twin Cities, Minnesot-ah
not for anything but I know with the targa off. The supra is a wet noodle. How helpful those are I have no clue but you could always try and see what happens.
 
tekdeus

tekdeus

Pronounced Tek-DAY-us
Jan 23, 2006
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IJ.;1002051 said:
My "guess" is without them and the Targa off the doors rattled in the strikers on bumps ;)
Click to expand...

This is what I'm worried about.

Anyone willing to unbolt yours and drive with the targa off and report if there is an increase in door striker rattle? I will paypal you $10 for your trouble!!
 
Poodles

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
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If I have some time I'll take a ride with em off...if I can get em off as those screw heads look like they're gonna strip first....
 
johnathan1

johnathan1

Supra =
Aug 19, 2005
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Downey, California, United States
I took mine off, and the rattle was TERRIBLE. Ok, where's my $10? :biglaugh:

I always thought that they were supposed to help keep the door from crushing inward in the event of a side-impact? I noticed my mom's BMW has these same hooks...
 
ValgeKotkas

ValgeKotkas

Supramania Contributor
Apr 14, 2006
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tekdeus;1002102 said:
This is what I'm worried about.

Anyone willing to unbolt yours and drive with the targa off and report if there is an increase in door striker rattle? I will paypal you $10 for your trouble!!
Click to expand...

Ermm... my drivers side door is changed and doesn't have the thing too.
I haven't noticed any increase (or any suspicious rattle...the whole damn car rattles anyways :D you know....) in rattle when targa removed, though what we've noticed is, that the door (with the targa on of course) doesn't want to close as good as the passenger door with that thing.
I'm thinking this thingie is for the alignment, especially when the hinges aren't the best anymore (mine probably arent).
It wasn't very hard to unscrew one of the things from my parts car (so, I'm thinking we're going to get the thing put on the drivers side door, just for security and stuffs:))
 
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