Door Slam

[Thermal Izod]

Hey all, I've had this problem for some time now....My doors, in my regular cab, won't shut tight without slamming....I've tried adjusting the alignment, but it's not helping...It seems that when one door, or a window, is open, they close with normal force, but otherwise, they will catch, but not close tightly unless shoved or slammed...Anyone have any ideas?

[onelow84]

try shutting the door real slowly,  when the latch hits the striker does the door move up or down? did you replace the seals/weatherstrips recently?

[VileZambonie]

Adjust the striker and make sure it has a bushing on it.

[1980c10]

Adjust the striker and make sure it has a bushing on it.

If the door strikers don't have the plasting bushings; get new strikers with the bushings installed from the "help" section at your local auto parts store.

[78 Chevyrado]

I had a thought on this subject today.  As my drivers door needs to be slammed when the windows are up but the passenger side door does not.  The passenger dang near clicks shut even with the windows up and the AC fan running.

Both my doors have the original latches in them, but the passenger door hardly ever got used, while the drivers door was probably over used.   I'd bet on a lot of these trucks, it has to do with worn out door latches. 

If I ever do come across an NOS drivers side latch I'll probably buy one to find out.  I'm leary to buy aftermarket for something like that, unless someone can chime on on their experience and point me towards a good brand to buy.

[former520]

I am putting another vote to starting with the bushings on the posts.  I swapped my out for some new ones and the doors close like a new truck.  Cheap at $2 for the pair and about 15 minutes to change. 

[1980c10]

I had a thought on this subject today.  As my drivers door needs to be slammed when the windows are up but the passenger side door does not.  The passenger dang near clicks shut even with the windows up and the AC fan running.

Both my doors have the original latches in them, but the passenger door hardly ever got used, while the drivers door was probably over used.   I'd bet on a lot of these trucks, it has to do with worn out door latches. 

If I ever do come across an NOS drivers side latch I'll probably buy one to find out.  I'm leary to buy aftermarket for something like that, unless someone can chime on on their experience and point me towards a good brand to buy.

I have replaced pins and bushings in a lot of door hinges, but if they are not loose you don't need to replace them, also you can see and feel if they are worn.

[Layne]

I did the Pex trick on my doors and that really made a difference

[78 Chevyrado]

Just don't forget the latch, but make it the LAST thing you try.  Everything on my doors is new, and in excellent shape except the drivers side latche.

There's only 3 things to try anyway.

Striker bolt, then hinge pins, then latch.  there's nothing else to do, unless the door alignment is way off.  Even with new door seals, my passenger door would click shut. 

[Thermal Izod]

I'll have to re-evaluate the striker bolt idea....I know they are worn, just by memory....I did the hinge pins and bushings to no avail....the door weather strips are old and fairly well crushed...I'm thinking that the strikers could just be so worn and gouged that the latch has trouble riding over it and grabbing?

[Thermal Izod]

One other question, where is the bushing on the striker bolt?  I don't recall one between the striker and the body itself....is there supposed to be one on the striker where the latch grabs it?

[1982 Daily Driver]

I used a piece of half inch pex to make the bushings and put them on. Can't believe the difference it made closing the doors. I found out about it from a post here

[Thermal Izod]

this bushing, it's supposed to be on the striker bolt?  where the latch grabs onto it?  mine are bare metal...

[Edahall]

[Thermal Izod]

Edahall:  Thanks for that pic....Mine do not have the bushings...I suppose that's why I have to slam my doors?