Door alignment

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MountainManJoe
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Door alignment

Post by MountainManJoe »

I think my passenger door is sagging. It's getting difficult to open, and the latch is grinding on the stud (see photo). If I open the door, grab the bottom of it, and pull up on it, it closes properly for a while. Does this mean the hinges are wearing out? If so, any suggestions what to get? The dealer wants too much money for door pins.
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Last edited by MountainManJoe on Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Door alignment

Post by Munken »

Have you checked the pins in the hinges?
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Re: Door alignment

Post by MountainManJoe »

No I haven't. Does that require disassembly?
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Re: Door alignment

Post by Munken »

Nopp. just open the door and look the hinge at the same time that you lifting the door a little. Then you can see if the pins are worn or the holes in the hinge.

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Re: Door alignment

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I have had to replace the bronze bushings and pins before. I got mine at the dealer but I would think Rockauto or any auto parts store would have them.
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Re: Door alignment

Post by CaptSquid »

I got mine at O'Reily's.
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Re: Door alignment

Post by Rebel »

Yes,,you will have to remove the door unless you're really good at it. Hopefully the wear hasn't egg shaped the hole where your new bushings will go.
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Re: Door alignment

Post by Munken »

To replace the bronze bushings and pins you will have to remove the door. You can replace them with the door on, but it is really really tight, and it is a great risk of damage something while working.
You check them with the door on.

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Re: Door alignment

Post by blacknome »

Likely you just need to replace the bushings and pins. Grab the bottom end of the door and lift it it, if the door rocks then the bushings are shot. I did mine on the van a couple years back, got the pins and bushings from GM as they were pretty cheap.
Changing them wasn't actually too hard as I did it by myself and ended up strapping the door to one of the forks on the forklift ( but you could use straps to tie it up to a beam/treebranch/balcony ect.. ). The thread on the subject is listed below. Any time you remove the doors you must put multiple layers of painters tape then duct tape over that because you will end up banging the edges of the door when de/re installing and end up chipping the paint otherwise

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2585
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Re: Door alignment

Post by MountainManJoe »

That's a great topic. Thanks.

What is the special tool everyone is talking about? It looks like it would be difficult to get in there with the spring compressors I've seen.
Couldn't you avoid elaborate door hanging schemes by just supporting it from the bottom and doing one pin at a time?

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Re: Door alignment

Post by Rebel »

If I remember correctly...you'll have to take the spring out which isn't that hard to do. Just wrap a rag around it and pop it out with a screwdriver. Do not, repeat,,do not just pop it out without making sure it is secure in every way and I've found a rag works well at keeping it from flying across the room or hitting you in the head. Putting it back in is another deal. We'll see how it goes getting it out.
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Re: Door alignment

Post by doyoulikeithere »

I used some vice grips, a 1/4 x 6 inch socket extension, a flat prybar, and a BFH as the "Special" tools.
Worked just fine. if your lifted, Set a chair beside the door to rest it on while it's un-pinned.
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Re: Door alignment

Post by MountainManJoe »

:-k
So I just called GM, and they don't sell the bushings. They sell the pins only, or the entire hinge. Prices as follows:

Pin (#12338015): $8.85 each.
Upper hinge (#15536614): $60.00
Lower hinge (#15536616): $50.25

EDIT: OK I phoned around to local part dealers and the best price is just 5 mins down the road from me (Coquitlam Auto Parts Plus for those in the region). $5.50 for a kit containing 2 pins + 4 bushings. GM is out to lunch.
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Re: Door alignment

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Good Work. GM is out to lunch!!
Is that store at the top of the hill near north road, I think I used to shop there...

I wanted to replace 2 of the small plastic button assemblies that hold the pop out windows. I wanted 2 screws, 2 plastic washers, and 2 buttons. So, I sheepishly ventured into the domain of the stealership, that I so carefully avoid at all cost. Of course they had none, but would be happy to order me a bag of each, minimum. Screws 2.25 each (10 per bag) Plastic Washers, 4.75 each (10 per bag) Buttons 5.25 each (10 per bag) some rough quick math, and I'm looking at... GM - out to lunch!! Plus, didnt they get a huge tax dollar bailout a while back?!?! #-o
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Re: Door alignment

Post by MountainManJoe »

doyoulikeithere wrote:Is that store at the top of the hill near north road, I think I used to shop there...
Yep. Corner of North Rd & Como Lake Ave. I've purchased quite a few things there. Customer service is really good.

That's right, GM was bailed out. Did you know they make most of their profit from (probably risky) loans?
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