door alignment problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

krazy_texan · 08-03-2004, 12:35 AM

for the life of me, i can not keep my driver side door aligned correctly, i will align it and the next day it is sagging at the rear and currently ther is no gap at all at the back of the door and the the hinges are as far forward as i can possibly get them, could this be a problem with the door itself, it is a 72 door on a 67 cab but the passenger door is off of a 71 and i have no problems with it whatsoever, this is really starting to make me mad as it has damaged the door latch and i am going to have to replace it but i dont want to do so yet as i dont want to mess up another one, i am almost certain that the doors being different years has nothing at all to do with it but again i am unsure, could it be my door hinges, i am wanting to replace my rockers soon and fix a little bit of rust in the kicker and around the door sill soon but am unable to do so until i get my door on thier correctly.

PR454SS · 08-03-2004, 02:31 AM

How does the A pillar look, check there for rust and also the top hinge and make sure it isn't pulling out of the door.

mocwon · 08-03-2004, 08:13 AM

It could indeed be the hinges. Replace the pins and busings and see if the problem goes away. Be sure to get the bronze bushings, not the plastic ones.

doug72 · 08-03-2004, 08:35 AM

I had this problem on a passenger side 72 door. It turned out that the door was weak where the hinge mounts. Tried welding a bracket in behind the hinge mount and finally just found another door. problem solved.

Doug

Huck · 08-03-2004, 08:45 AM

Common problem is the door metal gets fatigue where the hinge bolts up. Check for a crack or two around the hinge. If so I would opt for another door and welding or piecing usually doesn't work and takes more time/energy then it's worth. With the door open 6", lift up on the back of it and see where the play is. Could be the hinge but ususlly once adjusted, they don't wear out more overnight.
My method of door adjustment assuming good hinges and solid door metal is to remove latch mech from the rear pillars then align the door with hinge adjustments. Want to get it centered with the windshield pillar, door to top and door to rear pillar edges. The fender gets adjusted to align with the door not vice-versa. You align the door to the cab then the fender to the door but all of this is dependent on the door mounting metal, hinge wear and front door pillar being solid. Hope this helps---Huck

08-03-2004, 12:35 AM	#1
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	door alignment problem for the life of me, i can not keep my driver side door aligned correctly, i will align it and the next day it is sagging at the rear and currently ther is no gap at all at the back of the door and the the hinges are as far forward as i can possibly get them, could this be a problem with the door itself, it is a 72 door on a 67 cab but the passenger door is off of a 71 and i have no problems with it whatsoever, this is really starting to make me mad as it has damaged the door latch and i am going to have to replace it but i dont want to do so yet as i dont want to mess up another one, i am almost certain that the doors being different years has nothing at all to do with it but again i am unsure, could it be my door hinges, i am wanting to replace my rockers soon and fix a little bit of rust in the kicker and around the door sill soon but am unable to do so until i get my door on thier correctly. __________________ Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO

08-03-2004, 02:31 AM	#2
PR454SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 338	How does the A pillar look, check there for rust and also the top hinge and make sure it isn't pulling out of the door. __________________ PR Too many projects, not enough time! 72SWB 350/350TH, 3500stall,525 lift cam 3:73 posi. Sold! 69LWB Flatbed 350/Super T-10, ported/polished 481 heads, 480 lift cam. 78SWB 468/400TH, ported/polished Alum. heads, 3:42 posi, 3000 stall on 17x8 and 18x9.5's 77 Jeep CJ-5 304V8 fiberglass body on 36" Ground Hawgs

08-03-2004, 08:13 AM	#3
mocwon Keep On Truckin' Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Buda, Texas Posts: 1,354	It could indeed be the hinges. Replace the pins and busings and see if the problem goes away. Be sure to get the bronze bushings, not the plastic ones. __________________ Just Passin' Thru Some projects are like herding cats; others are like putting out fires; this one was like herding cats on fire.....

08-03-2004, 08:35 AM	#4
doug72 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Plano, Tx Posts: 59	I had this problem on a passenger side 72 door. It turned out that the door was weak where the hinge mounts. Tried welding a bracket in behind the hinge mount and finally just found another door. problem solved. Doug __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/cc1972_25.html

08-03-2004, 08:45 AM	#5
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Common problem is the door metal gets fatigue where the hinge bolts up. Check for a crack or two around the hinge. If so I would opt for another door and welding or piecing usually doesn't work and takes more time/energy then it's worth. With the door open 6", lift up on the back of it and see where the play is. Could be the hinge but ususlly once adjusted, they don't wear out more overnight. My method of door adjustment assuming good hinges and solid door metal is to remove latch mech from the rear pillars then align the door with hinge adjustments. Want to get it centered with the windshield pillar, door to top and door to rear pillar edges. The fender gets adjusted to align with the door not vice-versa. You align the door to the cab then the fender to the door but all of this is dependent on the door mounting metal, hinge wear and front door pillar being solid. Hope this helps---Huck



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