Doors refusingto stay open

[jody67]

Bought a Vitara 2001, 1.6, 3 door.
I have discovered the doors will not stay open, and is a pain trying to climb in, as the doors keep closing on me.
Is this normal, or is there something wrong with the stopper mechanism, ( or whatever it's called)?
Thanks.
Jody.

[donkeychomp]

Erm, not sure what you mean. When you open the door to get in...what exactly happens?

[Ladaman]

I think Jody is describing partial open "stops".

On my daily, you can open the door to "stop" positions, two I think. Partially open, and fully open.

I know my Samurai doesn't have this as it only has the rubber strap to stop them swinging wide open.

I've no idea on a Vit, so over to the Vit owners.

[Jordi]

Probably just worn hinges.

[jody67]

When the door is opened on any other car I've owned, the door is prevented from swinging back onto you by some form of mechanism in the door. Mine swings straight backtowards closed and wallops my legs or pins me as I'm getting in.

[binge]

lol, should own an SJ then.
Mine doesn't even have the straps any more, so they open almost 180 degrees. Haha!

[jody67]

I did have an SJ 410 and SJ 413. When I bought the 410 it was pink with Winnie the Poo on the bonnet, and Tigger on either door. Being a 6 ft 6, 21 stone biker it did wonders for my street cred. I then camo'd it, it was lovely, til my friend rolled her, ( 3 times through the air she rolled and 3 when she hit the ground). The body work was well and truly mangled. I like the Vitara better as I can drive it without having to lower the window, (too narrow inside).

[Anton]

I think the SJ is the better offroader (solid front axle, smaller diffs at the back for better ground clearance) but Vits are faster and more comfy, and IFS means they'd make a better rallycross car, like the Lada Niva.

[jody67]

Still got no answer to my question. Does anyone with a Grand Vitara (mines a 2001 model), know if the doors have the mechanism that prevents them slamming on you when trying to get in. It is a major problem, when I am trying to get my dad from his wheelchair into the Vitara, the door keeps swinging,and hitting me in the back.
Thanks.
Jody.

[Darrell]

Yes it should stay half open or fully open (dependant on the wind giving it a shove).
I "googled" the part number and it appears they can wear quite badly being plastic. I remember when they used to use spring steel clips on most cars and bloody awful noise they used to make because people couldn't be assed to oil them.
The pictures quite clearly show the wear and the ridges/bulges that position the door opening.