When the factory put the SS panels on the car,the first panels to go on the cars were the doors then everything was aligned to the doors,and YES,if you are going to adjust the position of the doors,remove the struts,the struts are what is keeping you from being able to adjust the doors to the door pins,also if your doors are missing the door guides (those big globs of SS That help guide the door to the door pins)I would suggest getting those,your best bet is to get the door to close correct,and then align any and all panels to the door itself. Claude 000570