Sagging doors - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**l79m20** · 01-19-2016, 04:06 PM

Has anyone on this forum ever used a Shim-EZE on a 1980 Chevrolet 1/2 ton to repair the typical sagging door and if so how satisfied with the results are you?

tucsonjwt · 01-19-2016, 04:33 PM

I have not used them. Do you have bad door pins? That has always been my problem.

**l79m20** · 01-19-2016, 05:46 PM

That's the problem the pins are worn out and I happened to see a youtube on these shimeze shims for chevy trucks and they are really easy to mount 15 minutes are less.

wilkin250r · 01-19-2016, 05:49 PM

And technically, it's not the door PINS that are usually the problem, it's the door BUSHINGS.

I've never tried the Shim-EZE, but I recently replaced the door pins and bushings on my F*rd. And I can tell you, once those bushings really started to wear and the door began to sag, it was a quick downhill spiral. I think if you shim the door and continue to wear into those same bushings, you're gonna just be adding thicker and thicker shims every year or two.

RandyP · 01-19-2016, 06:41 PM

Those are a bandaid it looks, at best. They'll make it where when you get serious about trying to do pins and bushings, you'll end up needing complete hinges because the holes where the bushings go are so demolished even oversized bushings won't work.

At least the squarebody style has bolt on hinges, GMT400, GMT800 they started welding the hinges on making hinge replacements a BEAR. When the bushings disappear and the hinge pin starts making the hole oblong, that's when the real damages happen. Either have weld the holes up and redrill or replace the hinge completely. Meaning $$$$$$

But with the GMT900 the bolt on hinge is back!

flatbed82 · 01-19-2016, 07:53 PM

Put pins and bushings in the hinges, you can get the pins and bushings from a parts store for one door for under $12.

tucsonjwt · 01-19-2016, 09:15 PM

That is correct - bushings are the issue, but I think pins and bushings should be replaced at the same time.

Search for door pins on this forum and you will find a short tutorial I did on replacing the pins and bushings. I have power windows/locks, so that required removing the door panels to access the wiring to disconnect it. Even with no experience, it took me about an hour per door to complete the project. I built a support out of old 2 x4s to support the doors during the R+R.

I would only use the correct GM parts - still available from your GM dealer. My tutorial has the part numbers. I think they are packaged in bags of 10 pcs. and 5 pcs (I forget which one is which), but you can buy them in units of each if you want - but shipping cost will be the same.

**1774btcrew** · 01-20-2016, 12:05 AM

Something to also consider, is that these doors are known for cracking by the hinges from being over extended. This will also create problems

bilfman · 01-20-2016, 09:05 AM

I just did my bushings and hinges. Pretty straight forward and easy.

slotard · 01-20-2016, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

Something to also consider, is that these doors are known for cracking by the hinges from being over extended. This will also create problems

I forget exactly where the crack is, but I know there's a crack somewhere on my driver's side (which closes easily) but not on my passenger side (which needs a heavy slam).

walkerb · 01-20-2016, 12:04 PM

Pex on the latch helps also

01-19-2016, 04:06 PM	#1
l79m20 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Reading, Kansas Posts: 628	Sagging doors Has anyone on this forum ever used a Shim-EZE on a 1980 Chevrolet 1/2 ton to repair the typical sagging door and if so how satisfied with the results are you?

01-19-2016, 04:33 PM	#2
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,188	Re: Sagging doors I have not used them. Do you have bad door pins? That has always been my problem.

01-19-2016, 05:46 PM	#3
l79m20 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Reading, Kansas Posts: 628	Re: Sagging doors That's the problem the pins are worn out and I happened to see a youtube on these shimeze shims for chevy trucks and they are really easy to mount 15 minutes are less.

01-19-2016, 05:49 PM	#4
wilkin250r Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Tahoe, Nevada Posts: 755	Re: Sagging doors And technically, it's not the door PINS that are usually the problem, it's the door BUSHINGS. I've never tried the Shim-EZE, but I recently replaced the door pins and bushings on my F*rd. And I can tell you, once those bushings really started to wear and the door began to sag, it was a quick downhill spiral. I think if you shim the door and continue to wear into those same bushings, you're gonna just be adding thicker and thicker shims every year or two. __________________ I know a little about cars, but if you have a question about electricity or sport quads, I'm your man!!!

01-19-2016, 06:41 PM	#5
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Sagging doors Those are a bandaid it looks, at best. They'll make it where when you get serious about trying to do pins and bushings, you'll end up needing complete hinges because the holes where the bushings go are so demolished even oversized bushings won't work. At least the squarebody style has bolt on hinges, GMT400, GMT800 they started welding the hinges on making hinge replacements a BEAR. When the bushings disappear and the hinge pin starts making the hole oblong, that's when the real damages happen. Either have weld the holes up and redrill or replace the hinge completely. Meaning $$$$$$ But with the GMT900 the bolt on hinge is back! __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

01-19-2016, 07:53 PM	#6
flatbed82 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marthasville, MO Posts: 23	Re: Sagging doors Put pins and bushings in the hinges, you can get the pins and bushings from a parts store for one door for under $12.

01-19-2016, 09:15 PM	#7
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,188	Re: Sagging doors That is correct - bushings are the issue, but I think pins and bushings should be replaced at the same time. Search for door pins on this forum and you will find a short tutorial I did on replacing the pins and bushings. I have power windows/locks, so that required removing the door panels to access the wiring to disconnect it. Even with no experience, it took me about an hour per door to complete the project. I built a support out of old 2 x4s to support the doors during the R+R. I would only use the correct GM parts - still available from your GM dealer. My tutorial has the part numbers. I think they are packaged in bags of 10 pcs. and 5 pcs (I forget which one is which), but you can buy them in units of each if you want - but shipping cost will be the same.

01-20-2016, 12:05 AM	#8
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,557	Re: Sagging doors Something to also consider, is that these doors are known for cracking by the hinges from being over extended. This will also create problems __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

01-20-2016, 09:05 AM	#9
bilfman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Regina, SK, Canada Posts: 622	Re: Sagging doors I just did my bushings and hinges. Pretty straight forward and easy. __________________ 1979 Chevy Dually Crew 4X4 454, D60 Tru-trac, D70 Detroit Locker, 3.73, 4L80E/NP205 1971 GMC 3/4 Ton 4X4

01-20-2016, 12:04 PM	#11
walkerb Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 831	Re: Sagging doors Pex on the latch helps also __________________ 1973 k20 Suburban 350 1974 Custom stepside c-10 250 1975 Chevy stepside 454 1986 K30 Crewcab SRW 350 R.I.P- glimmertwin01- board member and good friend, you will be missed



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