How Long Does It Take to Replace a Car Door?
2 Answers
Replacing a car door typically takes around 5 hours. Before replacing the door, it's essential to confirm that the replacement parts are correct. With all necessary parts available, professionals can complete the installation quickly. Car doors play a significant role in mitigating side impacts and protecting occupants, serving as the primary entry and exit point for the vehicle. Therefore, the quality of the door, along with its anti-collision and sealing functions, must meet certain basic standards. A well-designed car door usually includes two anti-collision beams. Based on the number of doors, car models can be categorized into two-door, three-door, four-door, and five-door vehicles. Considering the car's purpose and the convenience of passenger access, the door opening angle is generally set at around 70 degrees.
I enjoy tinkering with my car in my spare time and have replaced car doors several times. That time when I replaced the driver's side door on my old Toyota, the whole process took about four hours. First, I had to remove the old door by loosening the hinge bolts with a wrench—this step was relatively quick, taking just over ten minutes. Then came installing the new door: aligning it properly and adjusting the angle for smooth opening and closing. The key was to avoid misalignment, which could cause rattling or water leaks. The electrical part was the most annoying—wiring the power window switches and door locks one by one, being careful to avoid short circuits. The new door I used wasn’t painted, so I later spent a whole day spray-painting it to match the color. Overall, DIY door replacement can save some money but is time-consuming. You’ll need a free afternoon and a full set of tools, including an impact wrench. Beginners shouldn’t attempt this lightly—if the door isn’t secured properly, it could be dangerous while driving. I’d recommend practicing with scrap parts first. The process is fun, but don’t expect to finish it quickly.
