Whatever type of cars you drive, you frequently utilize the function of the car door. A car door is a sort of door opening that a driver or passenger uses to enter or exit a vehicle.
These are typically hinged to their front edge but can sometimes also be hooked onto rails or tracks. Aside from being a primary entry and exit of the vehicle, doors also lock the passenger cabin.
A car door protects the passenger inside the vehicle, it keeps them safe when they are in for the ride, ensuring it is a satisfactory drive. Car doors are sometimes manually operated, or they can be operated with some sort of power from the vehicle. Powered doors are usually found in minivan, luxury vehicles, or a modified vehicle.
Typically, car doors have a side window so they can be clearly visible to the passengers while they are inside the car, in addition to this, doors can be locked into place to secure the vehicle.
Car doors consist of a number of parts, however, some of these are parts we may not actually be aware of. Each of these parts has a purpose and function. So this guide will help define some of the various parts used in your car doors.
Parts of Car Door
Here are the basic parts of a car door with their functions:
- External parts
- Door hinges
- Door handles
- Window
- Molding
- Door seals and weather-stripping
- Pillar
- Internal Parts
- Window regulator
- Window switch
- Door panel
- Door locks and latches
- Power window motor
- Door switch
- Car door speakers
- Door carrier
#1. Car Exterior Door.
The car doors exterior usually has the same metal finish as the rest of the car. The paint and/or the finish, and molding or trim should match for appearance.
#2. Door Hinges.
Hinges are designed to work for doors in many applications, for example, house doors, and automobile doors. These door hinges will allow you to open and close any revolving door with ease. Generally they are welded or fixed to the door body with a nut-bolt system.
This is the connection point to the car body. In addition to that function, they work well to secure the vehicle doors. Most car door hinges are made from solid metal such as steel.
#3. Door Handles.
Car door handles allow entry into and out of the vehicle, but they interfere with unauthorized access. The outside and inside handles are oftentimes either plastic or metal.
There is a long metal rod within the handle that goes to the door latch and when you pull the handle, the latch releases. Some handles have a physical key for access, some may have a key fob, passcode, or a handle to select access with fingerprint scans.
#4. Window.
All vehicles have windows that operate by either manual or automatic means. Manual windows open/close with a mechanical crank. Power windows use a switch and electric motor.
Windows that open/close with buttons are “power windows”. The 1st power windows were introduced by the Ford Motors Company in 1941. Today, most vehicles have power-operated windows instead of the manual handle type.
#5. Molding.
Also known as trim, it is typically made of plastic or rubber and protects the window and the glass to some extent. It also serves as decorative and protective molding on the car body.
Car window molding is located where the top of the car door meets the bottom of the window, this is called molding because it is located at the vehicle’s beltline.
#6. Door Seals and Weather-stripping.
Door seals and/or weather-stripping prevent leaks and air from entering the passenger cabin. They also help form a snug fit between the door and the body of the vehicle. They are made from rubber and can be secured to the door using a sealant or special hardware.
They protect the door compartment from opening and closing. It also prevents rain from entering into the cabin as well. These things do not last forever and can be easily damaged. Therefore, it must be replaced as soon as possible.
#7. Pillar.
The pillar is a vertical structure within the car window area that supports the windshield and roof assembly in convertible-style automobiles. The vehicle pillar typically supports the roof load and structure to the vehicle body.
Typical sedan car windows will have additional pillars, located on either side of the front and rear doors (B pillar), and rear window (C pillar). Different vehicles will have different pillar designs in regards to car doors.
#8. Internal Parts.
The inside of the door controls switches, motors that go up and down for the window, and so on. If the car has electrical accessories, there will be switches for the power window, locks, and power mirrors.
#9. Window Regulator.
A window regulator is a device that moves a window up and down when powered by an electric motor, or in the case of manual windows, a crank.
Once this breaks or the components wear out, your power window might be stuck, unable to roll up or down.
If this occurs, the window may come out of its track and become stuck in the door or at the position it currently is. The window regulator is found within the door panel, away from sight and away from mind until needed to work.
#10. Window Switch.
Manually controlled windows come with a crank that will move the window up and down.
Cars that use power windows have electrical switches to operate the electric motor. It has a two-way control switch wired by two circuits to a motor in each door.
One switch position and circuit will drive the motor aside, to rotate the window upwards. The other switches position and turns the circuit window downwards. The switch is typically wired to the battery power of the vehicle’s electrical system.
#11. Door Panel.
The door panel conceals the mechanisms inside a car door that contain the window regulator, the power window motor, and the wiring. It also serves as the interface between the vehicle occupants and the machinery contained within the car door.
Older vehicles contained cardboard door panels wrapped with a material that matched the other upholstery in the cabin.
Today’s vehicles contain plastic door panels which meet specifications for safety, style, and functionality.
#12. Door Locks and Latches.
Car doors feature locks and latches to ensure proper closure of the door and avoid unintended entry to the car. The latching system consists of a latch and an electric motor for the central locking system.
The latch either opens or closes the doors, and the door lock either locks or unlocks the vehicle. Both types of locks are available as manual and power door locks, depending on the car type. The power door locks are typically operated by a switch.
Some models are designed to also operate door locks via a key fob. Child safety locks are common in most vehicle types and are intended to prevent rear seat occupants from opening the door.
#13. Power Window Motor.
Power windows use a small electric motor to move the regulator up and down.
The power window motor is located on the rear of the door panel. The power window regulator moves the window glass up and down with two channels on either side, and the drive mechanism is intended to function in a precise range of motion.
#14. Door Switch.
Commonly referred to as a door ajar switch, it operates the interior dome light when the door is opened. Essentially, this device is an electrical contact component that opens and closes a circuit, and it is secured to a door frame and operated by opening or closing the door.
Depending on the type of car, the switch may also be an input to the onboard computer for other car functions. The micro switch makes it possible for the car to know when the door closes and closes, and if such is damaged, it will affect that function while in use.
#15. Car Door Speakers.
Most cars also have speakers mounted in the inside of the door and speakers are available in many sizes and output. Standard-size speakers for the doors, rear side panels, and rear in hatchbacks and sedans are normally 5×7 inch.
#16. Door Carrier.
Door carriers offer an internal structure where parts, such as door handles, latches, and window regulators, are located as a single unit. The carrier additionally serves as a shield to protect the vehicle door from bumps and scratches.
Problems with Car Door & Their Remedies
Your vehicle can have problems with its doors. These issues may sound like:
#1. Leakage.
Water infiltration is usually caused by bad weather stripping or seals. Water, or wind, can infiltrate the passenger compartment of the vehicle. You need to examine your weather stripping or seal and replace it.
In general, weather stripping comes off and back on fairly easily. The replacement part ranges in cost generally from $5-$250 depending on the vehicle.
#2. Defective Automatic Lock.
There could be many reasons that your car’s automatic lock does not work correctly. Generally, the primary issues are that the door lock actuator has failed, the lock door switch has failed, or there are wiring issues.
Since your car is likely now in need of some diagnostic work, you may consider taking it to someone who can help. If your automatic lock does not operate correctly, you will want to fix this as soon as possible and take your car to a shop as needed, for your safety.
#3. Difficulties in Opening or Closing.
Excess tension on the door latch, or a broken door latch, causes the door either to open or close with difficulty. Excess rust or poor lubrication of the door hinge can also cause injury opening and closing the door.
In many cases, lubricating a stiff door hinge or latch resolves the person’s injuries. Otherwise, the person will have to remove the bad door latch or hinge before banks are eligible.
Wrapping It Up
A car door is a door that opens, usually hinged at its front edge, used for entering and exiting a motor vehicle. Again, the parts of the car door are some of the most essential parts of a vehicle.