Does Slamming a Car Door Damage It?

Naomi O'Colman

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Does Slamming a Car Door Damage It?

Does Slamming a Car Door Damage It?

Thousands of customers had to have their front-end car repairs done after slamming the car door too forcefully and breaking the latch. Furthermore, slamming a car door causes unnecessary wear. This is a standard warning when the rubber lining on the door’s exterior becomes worn out. So, does slamming a car door damage it?

What Causes People To Slam Their Car Doors?

When getting in or out of a car, people may slam the car door for various reasons. While most current automobiles and trucks don’t require much effort to close the door, the passenger may be accustomed to an older model requiring more force to lock.

The more one does it, the more it becomes a routine, causing problems when getting in and out of a car. This practice may cause people to stop thinking about it. People can shut the door with great force without thinking about how hard they are closing it.

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In short, whatever the cause for passengers closing the car doors with too much force, it will damage the car doors to the point where you may have to pay hundreds of dollars to have them repaired.

Does Slamming a Car Door Damage it?

Yes, slamming a car door can cause harm. If you slam a car door too many times, the hinges may wear out, and the rubber near the outer edge of the door may wear away. In addition, the Vehicle Door Latching Mechanism is susceptible to force, although car doors are built to tolerate mild slamming.

A torsion spring and a latch plate make up the latching mechanism. The torsion spring loads stretch and then release springs back when the door is closed, drawing the latch plate outward and hooking over the striker to secure the door.

The torsion spring maintains continuous stress on the latch plate, preventing it from rattling in its hinge. Smashing a vehicle door too hard, on the other hand, can weaken and wear out the springs over time.

What Kind of Harm Can Slamming Doors Cause?

The frequency of slamming the door is one of the most critical variables in the damage it produces. If it happens once in a while while you hurry, your car should be alright.

However, when it’s a regular occurrence or habit, portions of the automobile door, such as the latching mechanism, can wear out and cause a problem. The door latch prevents the door from opening while we drive, so this creates a significant safety risk.

A faulty latch mechanism could allow anything as simple as a person leaning on the door to open it while the vehicle is moving, resulting in injury to the passenger.

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Aside from the potential for injury, there’s also the possibility of harming the paint around your door. If the color becomes faded or cracked, it may become a breeding ground for rust. Repainting and curing rust damage can be costly, necessitating professional assistance.

How to Prevent Door Slamming?

Here are three easy strategies to stop slamming car doors, saving you money in the long run.

1. Attempt not to slam the door

This appears to be a straightforward solution, and it is. If you have the feeling to slam the door like you’re fleeing an argument, resist.

Many people are obsessed with their destination when exiting a vehicle—whether it’s home, errands, or work. Instead, concentrate on being present and making an effort to close the car door softly but effectively.

If you’re into notes and reminders, you can even put up signs in your car to remind you not to slam the door. These instructions will also remind any passengers in your vehicle who may not be aware of how much force they use to close the door.

2. Use a butyl rubber gasket

Installing a rubber butyl gasket around your automobile door and avoiding slamming it shut will assist in lessening the force of closing it and preserving the paint—the gasket functions as a sort of door slam blocker.

It’s also good to replace any existing rubber butyl-type gaskets on your vehicle. They, like any other gasket, tend to wear out with time.

3. Install a smooth door closer

Adding a smooth door closer is another option. Installing a smooth door closer to your car works wonders, much like the standard mechanism popular on kitchen cupboards or bathroom cabinets in a house to reduce entry slamming.

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It prevents you or your passengers from slamming the door shut. Instead, the mechanism takes over and quietly closes the door for you before you can use too much power.

Other Suggestions

  1. Wipe clean your car doors daily if you live in a humid region to avoid dampness and grime buildup on the frame.
  2. If the door latch is too loose or too tight, it may need to be adjusted. You can try changing the door latch by removing the internal door panel and holding the handle, and sliding the window.
  3. Inspect your weather stripping to see whether it needs to be replaced regularly.
  4. Using rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits, clean unclean automobile doors and hinges and outside push plates.

Conclusion

When a car door is banged repeatedly, the rubber around it wears out, leading it to rip and break. Likewise, I know from personal experience that you risk smashing or breaking the doors if you overreact when closing your automobile and close the door too forcefully.

Slamming a door breaks it and ruins the latching mechanism that keeps it closed. The doors will shred or snap due to the stress of repeatedly slamming a car door.