1969 Triumph TR6

DOOR REFURBISHING
RESTORATION PROJECT-

DOOR INTERIOR
SOUND AND TEMPERATURE
INSULATION
1969 TR6 RESTORATION

The rear end of the auto is no longer a noise suspect

area but during a test drive both doors of the TR6
rattle loudly and make knocking noises with only the
slightest of road bumps. It appears the doors must be
inspected more thoroughly.

Everything visible on the outside of the doors is

inspected, lock washers added where missing and all
bolts tightened. The noise comes from within. Drats !!
The door must be taken apart and inspected inside.
After many futile attempts to remove the window
crank handle and the door opener handle, neighbor
Edgardo Hernandez arrives and quickly demonstrates
the “push out the pin” technique.

Every moving part inside the door is in a state of

poor maintenance. Most of the bolts are loose, rust
is developing on the frame and no moving part
appears to have been greased in decades.

Six hours of hand labor spent sanding away rust

down to white steel. Every square inch of door frame
then cleaned and recleaned. All surfaces washed
with Xylol to remove any oil that might be present.
All bolts tightened and the door separated from the
auto and surroundings with newspaper, painter’s
tape and finally drop cloths. Automotive grey primer
paint then was applied.
 1969 TR6 RESTORATION

Two coats of high gloss red paint and

the interior door frame is starting to
look like a half way decent amateur
restoration. All the moving parts were
properly masked against over-painting.

The door latch opener arm was seen to be

moderately rusted once the trim panel was
removed. The arm was sanded down to white
steel to remove all the rust. Grey primer paint
and one coat red was initially applied. Then
the arm was masked with newspaper, black
automotive primer and two coats of flat black
automotive paint applied.

The passenger door has now been sanded

to remove all rust; primer and painted and
with all moving parts properly greased. All
the door fasteners, bolts and screws have
been tightened and missing pieces
replaced. The latch mechanism adjusted
and the door now stays closed and locked.

Now it is time to install the noise deadening

material.

BUT WAIT !!
WENDY IS HOLLERING ABOUT
SOMETHING CRAWLING TOWARD
ME........... BEHIND MY BACK!!!!
 1969 TR6 RESTORATION

Sneaking up behind me from the front yard was the

Mother of all iguanas. The monstrous beast with
lashing tail tried to run past me to get to our Koi
pond in the backyard.

Poor Wendy, cowering in stark fear for her life as the

gaping green jaws of death snapped at her. But this
time, no four month ordeal with our swimming pool
being used as an iguana toilet. The beast attempted
to build it's lair in our garage. This time, the SOB
green intruder was quickly caught and sent down the
river.

ORLANDO TO THE RESCUE

The "Beast from Hell " was probably the better
part of nine feet in length. 6 inch long,
powerful claws like a Kodiak bear that can rip
a man to shreds in a heartbeat.

Beady, evil eyes that see everything. Jaws so

strong they can crack coconuts like

eggshells.

Finally the Beast from Hell is captured.

Thanks Orlando !!
 1969 TR6 RESTORATION

WHEW !! We are all very happy The Beast is

back in the river where it belongs. Now back to
the task at hand. Noise abatement of the passen-
ger side door.

Dale opted to use heavy grade, medium grey,

tufted nylon carpet with polyester backing. The
carpet was approximately 3/8” thickness.

Newspaper was cut into jigsaw pieces to obtain

a pattern shape for the inside shell of door. The
pattern shape was also inked along glue access
positions. The pattern was transferred to the 4’ X
6’ piece of carpet.

The final cut pieces are now ready to insert into

the door shell interior. Contractor grade
bonding adhesive was applied to the door shell
and carpet pieces with a 5 minute cure time
before installing the individual pieces. The
finished sound abatement of the passenger
door looks neat and trim.

Now the test drive with fingers crossed.

WOW!! Double WOW! The door makes no

noise whatsoever. The rear end is now sporty
with the throaty sound of the TR6 exhaust.

A final Note:

This renovation project of the passen-

ger side door took approximately 18
hours from start to finish. The driver’s
door will take much less time-- from
lessons learned. Total cost was $31 in
materials.

This noise abatement project would

probably be useful for TR owners who
live in the colder climates. The door
shell insulation will keep the car
interior warmer during the cold
weather months.