Need help installing a door please.

We got an oak door with frame to replace our current bathroom door. I removed the old frame and went to install the new frame. Couple of problems.

1. The frame is about 7/8" skinnier than the old frame.

2. The frame is about 3/4" taller then than the old frame.

Last night I cut 3/4" off the bottom of the frame (so the door still has about 1/4" gap on the bottom). I put the frame in place and this is where I am currently. I got totally frustrated and quit last night hoping I might find some answers here. I'm not totally sure on how to go about installing the frame. Should the door be attached to the frame while I'm doing it? I have shims and I start on the side with the hinges. I add some shims at the top and get it plumb on that side and I start moving downward. When I continue to add shims and try to make it plumb, my other shims at the top fall out.

I then tried to add some on both sides and plumb it out but they keep falling out when I add other shims!

Another problem I may have is that the frame is almost flush with the top of the opening. Does there need to be a gap above the frame? It's not totally level either up top.

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks so much! Tom

 

Here are two sites that go through installing an exterior door. The process is the same and the explanations with pictures may be more valuable than what I could type.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_door_win...382252,00.html

http://www.millworkforless.com/how_t...all_a_door.htm

Hope this helps.