Door closing ease

[vtwinsport]

I recently had my doors off to replace the hinge springs and bushings (s shaped things that keep the door open and in place), and while off I tried to lessen the closing effort required by adjusting each hinge. Seems like what ever i try, it still takes considerable effort short of slamming the door to get a proper close first time. Then when at a wrecker awhile back an 82 c10's doors closed with barley a nudge and had a nice quiet click.
Is there something wrong with my hinges (need shims maybe?) or the lock assembly?

[82GMCShortBed]

I had the same problem after rebuilding my hinges. I purchased new striker pins with bushings from Advance Auto and after some adjustment they close pretty well. I've also read the latch mechanism in the door itself will wear out and may have to be replaced.

[vtwinsport]

I was wondering about that part. Do you doors close with a relatively quiet click then? Can you close them nicely with the door only open a foot and not from a wide open position?

[Cherub]

Im in the same boat. You have to take a good running start to get my doors shut on the first time.

[82GMCShortBed]

I put new weatherstrip around the drivers door and it requires a little more force but nothing like it was before the strikers were replaced. The passenger door still has the original weatherstripping and closes normally now with a nice quiet click. The key i believe is the bushing that wears out and is usually missing on the striker pin. It made a big difference. Definitely worth the money. I think it was around 15 bucks for both sides.

[78 Chevyrado]

new strikers with the plastic bushing on em help a lot. Get DORMAN PN# 38420.

[vtwinsport]

Thanks. I didn't realize there was a plastic bushing on them. Mine were gone. I'll try that first.

[runrx02]

if you take some electrical tape and wrap around the pin it seems to help. Keep wraping tape until it closes better (or just get the bushings).

[ron350]

Well I have the same problem shutting the doors on my 75-C10. A friend has an 86 model and the doors click shut without much effort.
I looked closer at the striker bar and the mating latch assembly in the door and they are different from my 75. The striker bar is larger on the 86 model.

Can a 86 model latch and striker bar be installed in my 75 model?

[vtwinsport]

I just called my local parts store and they list the same product for 73 -91. LMC lists one product 73-87 so I'm guessing will. I'm off to pick mine up and I'll let you know if they don't fit.

They fit fine. Helped significantly.

[ron350]

Vtwinsport thanks for the information.

Well I will admit I am wrong the plastic sleeves are just worn off both my striker bolts.

The plastic sleeve on a new bolt measures .710” OD and the steel part without the sleeve is .540” OD.