I have a 96 GMC 1500 Ext. Cab. The drivers side door has started popping when you close it. Does anyone know or have any guess on how much the door weighs on this truck and if the hinges are rebuildable? I've had this problem on my 80 firebird, 80 olds, and my Girl Friends 84 buick le saber, but all after they were 10 to 15 years old (not 6). I replaced the Hinges on those cars. It took like three people to do the 84 buick. The doors were super heavy, but not has high off the ground. I though they had fixed this problem :uh: Does anyone know of anything that will make this job easier than paying someone to do it? My guess is the hinges are about 100 bucks and the labor is 150 or so depending on what they charge per hour.
Door problems with the bike hauler
- Thread starter Danman
- Start date
- Aug 24, 2000
- 3,292
- 1
You can put the new hinge pins and bushings in, but I think the hinges are welded to the body. This was my situation:
I stopped by my buddies shop for a beer one night, and as I got out of the truck and shut the door, he stopped in his tracks, turned around and went over to his tool chest. He grabs this odd looking bar, and says "man roost, we goot fix that door!" I said "whaddaya mean fix it" he then explains to me that it shouldn't take that much energy to shut that door, the hinges have probably sagged, and since the are welded to the sub body, you have to use one of these. He then takes this bar, sticks it in the latch mechanism, and I'm starting to think he's yanking my chain, Then.....he goes and gives a great big tug on that bar, lifting the suspension of my truck right up! He took the bar out, gave the door a gentle push and click, it shut just like when it was new! I was stupified! And appreciative, because I can only imagine what a body shop would have charged to do that. :)
I stopped by my buddies shop for a beer one night, and as I got out of the truck and shut the door, he stopped in his tracks, turned around and went over to his tool chest. He grabs this odd looking bar, and says "man roost, we goot fix that door!" I said "whaddaya mean fix it" he then explains to me that it shouldn't take that much energy to shut that door, the hinges have probably sagged, and since the are welded to the sub body, you have to use one of these. He then takes this bar, sticks it in the latch mechanism, and I'm starting to think he's yanking my chain, Then.....he goes and gives a great big tug on that bar, lifting the suspension of my truck right up! He took the bar out, gave the door a gentle push and click, it shut just like when it was new! I was stupified! And appreciative, because I can only imagine what a body shop would have charged to do that. :)
- Thread starter
- #3
I assumed the pins were bent and door has sagged. I can tell by the strike pin in the door jam. Its looks a bit ground down on the top. I'm not sure if you can replace the one that has the roller on it (the one that takes most of the force)? What exactly did he bend other than the pin? Both of mine seem strait (I guess you would have to remove the hinges to see). I'm pretty sure they are not welded to he body, but have not checked. I know they were not on the other cars I've done.
You should be able to just replace the pins and bushings. I wouldn't go sticking a big pry bar in places unless you know exactly what you are doing. Even then, I would avoid letting your buddy do it after a few beers.
Grab the door and lift up on it. If you can rock the door up and down on the hinges then the pins/bushings are worn. If there is no movement other than the swing along the hinge but the striker does not line up then you may need to adjust the door hinges. My Toyota pickup had oval hinge mount holes to allow for this adjustment but I don't know if your GMC does.
This is the reason people lube their hinges. That door is heavy and you are doomed to have to lift it while replacing the pins/bushings.
Grab the door and lift up on it. If you can rock the door up and down on the hinges then the pins/bushings are worn. If there is no movement other than the swing along the hinge but the striker does not line up then you may need to adjust the door hinges. My Toyota pickup had oval hinge mount holes to allow for this adjustment but I don't know if your GMC does.
This is the reason people lube their hinges. That door is heavy and you are doomed to have to lift it while replacing the pins/bushings.
- Aug 24, 2000
- 3,292
- 1
Just a little clarification. The bar my buddy used is designed specifically (Snap-On) for re-aligning door hinges. It sticks in the latch on the door itself and you just pry the entire door up to straighten the hinges/sub body.
Danman - my latch pin was worn just as you described, once we lifted the hinges, it was no longer a problem. Plus you have the worn out roller. I would seriously see if you can find a body man that has the alignment tool and would lift your hinges for a little cash.
Danman - my latch pin was worn just as you described, once we lifted the hinges, it was no longer a problem. Plus you have the worn out roller. I would seriously see if you can find a body man that has the alignment tool and would lift your hinges for a little cash.
- Thread starter
- #7
The hinges appear to be welded on! There is aren't any bolts other than on that looks like it goes into the quarter panel. The pin that holds the roller to the hinge broke off. The door swings freely, but this was the peice that makes it lock open for when your parked on a hill. I will have to contact a body shop to do this :( Danman no savy the installation :confused:
