73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: gwcrim on November 17, 2019, 09:10:23 AM
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So it's time to tackle the door hinges and I'd like a little input.
Does the text book method call for removing the fenders?
Has anyone successfully done the job without removing the fenders?
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(https://i.imgur.com/0Olb5sI.jpg)
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What is your objective? Is it rust, blown spring, sloppy pins, what?
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Sloppy pins. Saggy doors.
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Sloppy pins do make for troubled doors!
New pins and copper bushings are available, it's a two man job unless you use a hoist of some kind.
What gets overlooked is the nylon bushing on 'lock pin' (? expect VZ to comment ;D)
It makes up half of the door position and is usually gone, beat down, shot out or otherwise defiled.
When you go to adjust it, mark the current position with a pencil, so when you are beating your head against the tow hitch, you can at least go back to where you started.
There is nothing finer to look at then a door that is square with the lines on the body!
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I would buy new hinges, scuff, clean, prime and paint. Let them dry for a few days before you install. The fenders should come all the way off so that you can replace them and adjust the doors perfectly. The next step is to realign the fenders and adjust the hood lines.
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So I inspected and thought and thought and searched. The hinges sagged a little but the big complaint was that the doors didn't close well and banged badly when I hit a bump. Somewhere I found a tip to put small pieces of PEX tubing over the striker bolt. I have plenty PEX pipe on hand and the original plastic sleeves were missing. It was basically free to try.
FIX!!! There are door noises any more.
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So if your hinges are beat, just open the door and pick up on the door. If it moves, it's time to replace the hinges. If your striker bolt is missing the bushing, then obviously you need to replace the striker. Pex is okay but softer than the factory bushing. If your striker is aligning your door, either the hinges are in need of repair/replace or the door is out of alignment. The striker should never pick the door up to align it if you want it correct.