new rocker now door will not shut

[1984k30]

I replaced the rocker and cab corner.   I had everything all fit up before welding and it lined up good and the door closed good.  However I did not have the door seal in.  Never thought about having it installed when I was fitting the rocker.

Now a couple months later  when I went to install the door seal the door seems to stop as soon as it contacts the lower front corner.  Without the seal in the door closes fine and body lines are good.

I am trying to figure out what the problem is and what I can do correct it.  I am using the old seals and wondered if any one had this problem after doing there rockers.  I cannot adjust the hinges very much because the doors is set.  Anyone have any ideas of what I can do or check?  I am thinking the worst case would be having to modify the seal along the bottom of the door which I would rather not do.

[VileZambonie]

I always recommend having your seals in place when mocking everything up. Nevertheless if it's all perfect and won't close right with the seals in try adjusting the striker, the door and the hinges. Sometimes all you need is a little of this and that along with some patience.

[1984k30]

I will try adjusting  some more and see if I can get it any better.  Does anyone know if when the door closes should it smash the seal against the door or just rest up against it.  I was thinking of bending the lip where the seal pushes on the rocker.  I think I can pick up a 1/8 here and move the seal away from the door.  If not has anyone every shimmed a hinge out?

[jaredts]

You should be able to take a blunt cold chisel or piece of flat stock and place it at the bottom of the lip and give it a few good licks with a small sledge and get it to move back.  You may even be able to do it with a 2x4 and a hammer, which would be less damaging and less to smooth out later.  If your door shuts without the seal you're not too far off and shouldn't have a problem getting it to shift that much.  If that doesn't work, get a bigger hammer!

[1984k30]

Well I got the drivers side working good.  It was the one I was asking about.  Now the pass side is giving me trouble.  I think my striker is out some.  When you push the door shut it hits the striker and kinda bounces and stays on the first stop.  need to push in the rest of the way.  I must have moved the striker a dozen times but still not right.   I will play with it a little more and see if it gets better. thanks for the suggestions.

[4chevyman]

Reading this thread got me to thinking about my own project.  I replaced the entire rocker on the drivers side with an original one off of a donor cab (waaaay too much work---recommend buying aftermarket).  I put my door on and guess what---my door hit in the same spot.  I adjusted the door and persuaded the flange a little.  It closes better, but still binds a little at that point.  How did you get yours to close the way it should?

[1984k30]

When I put my seal in the first time and it was hitting I did not have the window,vent, latch or striker in.  I was just pushing the door in and felt it hitting.
I did play with the hinge a little and I used a block of wood and smacked the rocker lip in some.  I then put the door guts latch and striker in and then the door started to close good.  I'm not sure if the weight of the glass helped or having the latch and striker in but it closes really good. I would say if it closes good with out the seal in you should be able to get it better. 

[4chevyman]

same here---my door was gutless.  but I did have the striker on so I could see what the gap looked like.  I adjusted mine some more with the dead-blow hammer and it too closes more easily.