How to adjust this door? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Nima · 04-08-2005, 01:17 PM

Hey guys/girls:
I am still working on interior!. Slow process but at least ongoing. Well I read my books and my undrestanding is I have to loosen the bolts on the pillar not on the door. First I want to know if this is right, second, if this is right how can I do that, I mean how can I access them. To me they are tucke in between the door nad front side panel. Any tip is greatly appreciated.

stllookn · 04-08-2005, 01:45 PM

If you open the door you can access the front hinge bolts through the opening. You should only have to loosen them, not remove them. I use a floor jack to put light pressure under the front or rear of the door to support it when loosening hinges to align the door. You can adjust the door vertically from the hinge bolts into the body. The bolts into the door allow you to move the front of the door in and out from the body. Remove only one bolt (this will not affect anything) to see how the bracket is slotted then think about it and proceed from there. You might mark around the hinge to know where your initial starting point is as a reference.

Nima · 04-08-2005, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the tips.

stllookn · 04-08-2005, 01:55 PM

I have also used shims (washers) behind the hinge to get a door exactly where I wanted it.

*screamin_c102* · 04-08-2005, 01:55 PM

Make sure you use some type of padding on the head of that jack.

Like STLLOOKN said, you want to use very light pressure, a floor jack can screw up a door quick.

I used this technique to mount the doors on Screamin' after my help bailed on me, it works well if your careful.

**Yukon Jack** · 04-08-2005, 04:57 PM

I have to adjust one of my doors also but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to access a couple of those bolts. I couldn't get a wrench on at least 2 nor could I get an extension in there. Do you use a wobble ended extension or is there some other trick to getting to these bolts. I sure don't want to pull a fender but I just can't see how to do it.

Brainchild · 04-08-2005, 11:59 PM

I'm with Jack,I can't seem to get a couple of bolts loose to adjust my door either.

Zeke · 04-09-2005, 06:39 AM

If you look at the picture I don't think it is just adjusting the door. My door looks the same. Bottom real tight front and back and the upper forward almost touching the drip rail, almost like the cab or door is tweaked and not 'square' anymore. On the bottom side it doesn't look like there is any room for adjustment. When I replace the body mounts hopefully it will give me a little more adjustment room. I am not an expert but I would think you would start with the door and get it where you want it top front down the back side and bottom then adjust the fender, cowl and hood.

Like I said I haven't done this but believe you need to ensure the cab and body mounts are in good shape.

junkyard truck · 04-09-2005, 07:29 AM

Hi, My truck doors also need adjusting and the problem is getting the hindge bolts loose. I'm going to get a cheap box end wrench from on of those assorted tool tables at auto parts houses and with a torch heat and bend it until it will fit the bolts and allow me to work without damaging the paint (specialized custom tool).
Good luck, Larry

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 04-09-2005, 08:26 AM

We torched a gear wrench just for that purpose.

Nima · 04-09-2005, 10:33 AM

[QUOTE=Zeke]If you look at the picture I don't think it is just adjusting the door. My door looks the same. Bottom real tight front and back and the upper forward almost touching the drip rail, almost like the cab or door is tweaked and not 'square' anymore.

Well, The cab mounts are not new for sure but I think there is enough room on the right upper corner to bring the door down just few mm. Now, I am concerned to touch it since I hear all these problems geting to those bolts. Maybe i just leave alon for now. Thanks though.

Zeke · 04-09-2005, 05:51 PM

Didn't mean to sound so discouraging just wanted to mention some things that might affect how the door fits. Didn't mention that my door hinges are worn also and with the door open it shifts back but when its closed and supported by the latch it will shift forward and it touches the fender.

Goes back to the old saying 'when I was young I didn't have the money, now I don't have the time' and I am pretty anal when it comes to doing the work myself instead of paying someone. Besides the time I do get to spend on my truck relaxes me. So much so that my wife tells me 'go work on your truck', not often enough though.

**Ridgeback** · 04-11-2005, 01:31 AM

GM/Kent Moore special tool designed to handle hinge bolts.

Kent Moore J-22585 - Front Door Hinge Bolt Wrench. Check any 69-72 Chevrolet Truck Chassis Service Manual.

ZOOMY · 04-11-2005, 04:47 AM

IMO, the door has to go back about 1/8" & the fender forward about 1/8" to get the gaps correct. The rear of the door has to go down about 1/8" for the door crown & cab crown to match.

chickenwing · 04-11-2005, 08:13 AM

I tried my best to align my door. Got it real, real close. Turned out the hinges were worn out. You can lift the back of my door about 5/16"! Pretty happy with it all things considering. So pick up on the back of your door and make sure it does not give a bunch of slop.

Anyone know of a hinge bushing kit for our trucks?

shifty · 04-11-2005, 10:26 PM

When my door decided to eat my girlfriend's arm (it rolled downhill into a pillar w/door wide open), I had to loosen the striker plate on mine to get the door to shut right again. I'm talking about the metal plate above the VIN badge on the driver's side.

71Shortbed · 04-11-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenwing

Anyone know of a hinge bushing kit for our trucks?

I got a set of pins and bronze bushings from somewhere. I think it may have been LMC or Brothers. Haven't installed them yet.

4x4Poet · 04-12-2005, 01:58 AM

Just about every 67-72 Chevy truck parts vendor sells cab/front door hinge pins with bushings. IIRC, they fit 67-87/91 GM trucks, so they're common as all get out.

chickenwing · 04-12-2005, 10:07 AM

I've saw GM truck hinge kits in the Help! section. Box did not list 67-72 trucks so I thought they were differant. Could anyone confirm the year group for the hinge kits please?

**Yukon Jack** · 04-12-2005, 10:51 AM

I bought a cheap set of kinda S shaped box wrenches last night and it looks like that will get me access to the bolts. Might try to find a better quality wrench of the correct size as the cheap ones I bought are pretty sloppy on the head of the bolt.

04-08-2005, 01:17 PM	#1
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	How to adjust this door? Hey guys/girls: I am still working on interior!. Slow process but at least ongoing. Well I read my books and my undrestanding is I have to loosen the bolts on the pillar not on the door. First I want to know if this is right, second, if this is right how can I do that, I mean how can I access them. To me they are tucke in between the door nad front side panel. Any tip is greatly appreciated. Attached Images

04-08-2005, 01:45 PM	#2
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	If you open the door you can access the front hinge bolts through the opening. You should only have to loosen them, not remove them. I use a floor jack to put light pressure under the front or rear of the door to support it when loosening hinges to align the door. You can adjust the door vertically from the hinge bolts into the body. The bolts into the door allow you to move the front of the door in and out from the body. Remove only one bolt (this will not affect anything) to see how the bracket is slotted then think about it and proceed from there. You might mark around the hinge to know where your initial starting point is as a reference. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 04-08-2005 at 01:52 PM.

04-08-2005, 01:55 PM	#4
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	I have also used shims (washers) behind the hinge to get a door exactly where I wanted it. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

04-08-2005, 04:57 PM	#6
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	I have to adjust one of my doors also but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to access a couple of those bolts. I couldn't get a wrench on at least 2 nor could I get an extension in there. Do you use a wobble ended extension or is there some other trick to getting to these bolts. I sure don't want to pull a fender but I just can't see how to do it. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

04-08-2005, 11:59 PM	#7
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	I'm with Jack,I can't seem to get a couple of bolts loose to adjust my door either. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

04-08-2005, 01:49 PM	#3
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Thanks for the tips.

04-08-2005, 01:55 PM	#5
screamin_c102 Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yoncalla Oregon Posts: 775	Make sure you use some type of padding on the head of that jack. Like STLLOOKN said, you want to use very light pressure, a floor jack can screw up a door quick. I used this technique to mount the doors on Screamin' after my help bailed on me, it works well if your careful.

04-09-2005, 06:39 AM	#8
Zeke Active Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: L.A. Lower Alabama Posts: 453	If you look at the picture I don't think it is just adjusting the door. My door looks the same. Bottom real tight front and back and the upper forward almost touching the drip rail, almost like the cab or door is tweaked and not 'square' anymore. On the bottom side it doesn't look like there is any room for adjustment. When I replace the body mounts hopefully it will give me a little more adjustment room. I am not an expert but I would think you would start with the door and get it where you want it top front down the back side and bottom then adjust the fender, cowl and hood. Like I said I haven't done this but believe you need to ensure the cab and body mounts are in good shape. __________________ 1969 C10 350 3spd 1995 GMC 3500 XC 350 dually When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George Carlin

04-09-2005, 07:29 AM	#9
junkyard truck Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: edna, texas Posts: 24	how to adjust this door Hi, My truck doors also need adjusting and the problem is getting the hindge bolts loose. I'm going to get a cheap box end wrench from on of those assorted tool tables at auto parts houses and with a torch heat and bend it until it will fit the bolts and allow me to work without damaging the paint (specialized custom tool). Good luck, Larry __________________ 69 chevy short stepside

04-09-2005, 08:26 AM	#10
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	We torched a gear wrench just for that purpose. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

04-09-2005, 10:33 AM	#11
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	[QUOTE=Zeke]If you look at the picture I don't think it is just adjusting the door. My door looks the same. Bottom real tight front and back and the upper forward almost touching the drip rail, almost like the cab or door is tweaked and not 'square' anymore. Well, The cab mounts are not new for sure but I think there is enough room on the right upper corner to bring the door down just few mm. Now, I am concerned to touch it since I hear all these problems geting to those bolts. Maybe i just leave alon for now. Thanks though. Last edited by Nima; 04-09-2005 at 10:34 AM.

04-09-2005, 05:51 PM	#12
Zeke Active Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: L.A. Lower Alabama Posts: 453	Didn't mean to sound so discouraging just wanted to mention some things that might affect how the door fits. Didn't mention that my door hinges are worn also and with the door open it shifts back but when its closed and supported by the latch it will shift forward and it touches the fender. Goes back to the old saying 'when I was young I didn't have the money, now I don't have the time' and I am pretty anal when it comes to doing the work myself instead of paying someone. Besides the time I do get to spend on my truck relaxes me. So much so that my wife tells me 'go work on your truck', not often enough though. __________________ 1969 C10 350 3spd 1995 GMC 3500 XC 350 dually When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George Carlin

04-11-2005, 01:31 AM	#13
Ridgeback Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 809	GM/Kent Moore special tool designed to handle hinge bolts. Kent Moore J-22585 - Front Door Hinge Bolt Wrench. Check any 69-72 Chevrolet Truck Chassis Service Manual. Last edited by Ridgeback; 04-11-2005 at 01:32 AM.

04-11-2005, 04:47 AM	#14
ZOOMY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: WIS Posts: 1,752	door adjust IMO, the door has to go back about 1/8" & the fender forward about 1/8" to get the gaps correct. The rear of the door has to go down about 1/8" for the door crown & cab crown to match.

04-11-2005, 08:13 AM	#15
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	I tried my best to align my door. Got it real, real close. Turned out the hinges were worn out. You can lift the back of my door about 5/16"! Pretty happy with it all things considering. So pick up on the back of your door and make sure it does not give a bunch of slop. Anyone know of a hinge bushing kit for our trucks? __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!



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04-11-2005, 10:26 PM	#16
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	When my door decided to eat my girlfriend's arm (it rolled downhill into a pillar w/door wide open), I had to loosen the striker plate on mine to get the door to shut right again. I'm talking about the metal plate above the VIN badge on the driver's side. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

04-12-2005, 01:58 AM	#18
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	Just about every 67-72 Chevy truck parts vendor sells cab/front door hinge pins with bushings. IIRC, they fit 67-87/91 GM trucks, so they're common as all get out. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

04-12-2005, 10:07 AM	#19
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	I've saw GM truck hinge kits in the Help! section. Box did not list 67-72 trucks so I thought they were differant. Could anyone confirm the year group for the hinge kits please? __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

04-12-2005, 10:51 AM	#20
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	I bought a cheap set of kinda S shaped box wrenches last night and it looks like that will get me access to the bolts. Might try to find a better quality wrench of the correct size as the cheap ones I bought are pretty sloppy on the head of the bolt. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

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