Slight door jam cracking

[Jaga]

On my 2013 RX I have noticed some cracking on the top of the inside door jambs - see attached photos. Has anyone else seen this? The car is HPI clear. I wonder this could have been caused by rain seeping in over time. If so then other car will be affected similarly. 

[ColinBarber]

It would be good to see a larger image and also the same pic from other owners. To me, especially the bottom pic, it looks like the doors have had new outer skins put on them because the seem doesn't look as neat as a factory pressed door - but too small an image to be sure.

[Jaga]

Hi - thanks for the response. Here are two larger photos. I am now thinking the cracks are the result of wear and tear caused by years of repeated door slamming. 

[ColinBarber]

51 minutes ago, Jaga said:

I am now thinking the cracks are the result of wear and tear caused by years of repeated door slamming. 

Yes, they look original. There isn't anything in that area other than paint, as it is right at the point there the adhesive long the top stops, so could easily crack with age/usage. Worth getting touch up paint to cover over the crack.

[Barry14UK]

3 hours ago, Jaga said:

On my 2013 RX I have noticed some cracking on the top of the inside door jambs - see attached photos. Has anyone else seen this? The car is HPI clear. I wonder this could have been caused by rain seeping in over time. If so then other car will be affected similarly. 

Slamming doors is certainly a possibility.  I have seen cars being abused in this way.  Many years ago I was told how to close doors without damaging them.  I was told to close a door gently until about 4 or 5 inches from it being closed, then stop followed by giving it a firm push. 

I don't think painting (papering) over cracks will resolve the situation.  I would contact a local Lexus Dealership and ask them who is their approved repairer and get their views on the situation and best way to resolve it.  It would be interesting to know whether this problem had been seen before on the RX, also whether the doors on the affected car here had been previously repaired.

[Jaga]

Thank guys. Good to have your feedback. 

[Cyclone]

Maybe a few other owners could check their cars to see if it’s a common or isolated issue?

[ColinBarber]

2 hours ago, Barry14UK said:

I don't think painting (papering) over cracks will resolve the situation.  I would contact a local Lexus Dealership and ask them who is their approved repairer and get their views on the situation and best way to resolve it.  It would be interesting to know whether this problem had been seen before on the RX, also whether the doors on the affected car here had been previously repaired.

You can tell if the door has had a new outer skin as the welds and folder over of the edges won't be as neat as a factory issued door. You can see from the official body repair procedure that the door skin is sealed, folded, welded and painted in place. At the very edge though it is just to pieces of metal that are painted. If there is a tiny amount of flex over time then the paint will crack.

Not something I've seen before though so maybe a unique issue for the series III RX doors/mistreated/or they have been repaired and the top plug weld near the cracking wasn't done.

[Jaga]

According to a Lexus body shop technician this can happen with cars of this vintage. 

[Ken Crawley]

Any evidence of the door hinges bolts being disturbed which would obviously point to the door being repaired or replaced?

[Greisingel]

Maybe mash in some jb weld and give a couple white paint sprays

[DCE16]

Just had a look at mine and it also has similar cracks on both front doors.  Can’t see it being a problem.

[Jaga]

Good to see - kinda 😀

[ColinBarber]

Yeah, just looks like the adhesive as expanded/contracted over time and come away from one of the panels and cracked the paint. Really shouldn't be an issue.