Effort in closing the doors - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Kungfoogrip · 11-30-2014, 01:40 PM

It's been a very long time since I used to cruise the drag in a 72 blue and white beauty. Now that I am restoring my truck I am curious. How much force should it take to close the doors. Should the mechanism fit like hot butter with little effort or is a good firm slam normal. The doors close fine but you have to be somewhat forceful.

michael bustamante · 11-30-2014, 01:44 PM

Are your door seals new? When i put new ones in i had to slam my doors for awhile till they softened up

Kungfoogrip · 11-30-2014, 01:47 PM

No they are not new. Not even close to being new.

**Stocker** · 11-30-2014, 03:18 PM

Seals were my first thought also. Since they are apparently not the problem, and it sounds as though the truck has been sitting a long time, try lubing the door latch mechanism. But even if everything is perfect, I wouldn't expect the doors to close "like hot butter". It's an old truck, not a new Mercedes.

cdowns · 11-30-2014, 04:15 PM

try lubricating the door hinges every 40years or so they like it

michael bustamante · 11-30-2014, 06:03 PM

Check your hinges too. Hinge might be wore out and door is dropping a couple hairs and when you close the door it lifts back up on the latch assy.

R.L. · 11-30-2014, 08:00 PM

Check the bolt heads on the hinges, the upper one's in particular. See if there clashing with the hinge when it's closed, look at the adjacent surface and see it the paint has a imprint of the bolt head in it.

Kungfoogrip · 11-30-2014, 08:33 PM

Thanks guys I will give it all a go tomorrow! Love this site!

Andy4639 · 11-30-2014, 08:42 PM

You may need to adjust the door hinges and the striker plates. It took me forever to get the drivers door so it would lock with the key without pushing in on the door while I locked it. It's so much better now but it is not like butter by no means!

Devins-step · 11-30-2014, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

You may need to adjust the door hinges and the striker plates. It took me forever to get the drivers door so it would lock with the key without pushing in on the door while I locked it. It's so much better now but it is not like butter by no means!

I am having the same problem on my '72. You have to push in on the door to get it to lock. Did you have to adjust both the hinges and the plates or just the striker plate? The door closes very well and seem to be lined up correctly but is a bear to lock.
Thanks
Dan

68 Stepper · 11-30-2014, 11:10 PM

I have the same problem with my 68, I got the passenger door working great, but can't seem to get the drivers door right.

Andy4639 · 12-01-2014, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devins-step

I am having the same problem on my '72. You have to push in on the door to get it to lock. Did you have to adjust both the hinges and the plates or just the striker plate? The door closes very well and seem to be lined up correctly but is a bear to lock.
Thanks
Dan

If the door shuts good and is not sagging down I would work with the cab striker plates. Just a little tweeking will go a long ways. I left mine loose and would shut the door and then would open the door easy and try to get them tight. It took forever to get where mine is today. It's not perfect but it's close. The bottom of the driverside door isn't right but that may because last time it was painted it was worked on so it may be out a little.

Devins-step · 12-01-2014, 08:14 AM

Thanks Andy. I will work on that today. Great thing about being in Florida. Don't have to wait for warm weather....

Dan

11-30-2014, 01:40 PM	#1
Kungfoogrip Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 24	Effort in closing the doors It's been a very long time since I used to cruise the drag in a 72 blue and white beauty. Now that I am restoring my truck I am curious. How much force should it take to close the doors. Should the mechanism fit like hot butter with little effort or is a good firm slam normal. The doors close fine but you have to be somewhat forceful.

11-30-2014, 01:44 PM	#2
michael bustamante Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,841	Re: Effort in closing the doors Are your door seals new? When i put new ones in i had to slam my doors for awhile till they softened up __________________ 1967custom

11-30-2014, 01:47 PM	#3
Kungfoogrip Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 24	Re: Effort in closing the doors No they are not new. Not even close to being new.

11-30-2014, 03:18 PM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,576	Re: Effort in closing the doors Seals were my first thought also. Since they are apparently not the problem, and it sounds as though the truck has been sitting a long time, try lubing the door latch mechanism. But even if everything is perfect, I wouldn't expect the doors to close "like hot butter". It's an old truck, not a new Mercedes. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

11-30-2014, 04:15 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Effort in closing the doors try lubricating the door hinges every 40years or so they like it __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-30-2014, 06:03 PM	#6
michael bustamante Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,841	Re: Effort in closing the doors Check your hinges too. Hinge might be wore out and door is dropping a couple hairs and when you close the door it lifts back up on the latch assy. __________________ 1967custom

11-30-2014, 08:00 PM	#7
R.L. Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mobile, Al. Posts: 687	Re: Effort in closing the doors Check the bolt heads on the hinges, the upper one's in particular. See if there clashing with the hinge when it's closed, look at the adjacent surface and see it the paint has a imprint of the bolt head in it.

11-30-2014, 08:33 PM	#8
Kungfoogrip Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 24	Re: Effort in closing the doors Thanks guys I will give it all a go tomorrow! Love this site!

11-30-2014, 08:42 PM	#9
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Effort in closing the doors You may need to adjust the door hinges and the striker plates. It took me forever to get the drivers door so it would lock with the key without pushing in on the door while I locked it. It's so much better now but it is not like butter by no means! __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-30-2014, 11:10 PM	#11
68 Stepper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Richland Washington Posts: 127	Re: Effort in closing the doors I have the same problem with my 68, I got the passenger door working great, but can't seem to get the drivers door right.

12-01-2014, 08:14 AM	#13
Devins-step Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seffner, FL Posts: 55	Re: Effort in closing the doors Thanks Andy. I will work on that today. Great thing about being in Florida. Don't have to wait for warm weather.... Dan



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