Door hinge pin replacement question.

[Rick C.]

I just replaced the door hinge pins and bushings on the driver’s door because the door was sagging. After doing that, I adjusted the striker because it was sitting a little too low. I got the door aligned with the striker so it actually closes without force, but now the door is sitting too high. The top of the door is above the upper body line, which is causing air to whistle in through the door seal. Is there a way to fix that, or do I have to bend the hinges? I’ve tried googling and all I can come up with is how to replace the hinge pins and bushings. Thanks for any help.

 

Rick

[richard wysong]

is it possible someone bent the hinges trying to make up for the worn bushings? I know the body side is welded to the pillar, is the door side welded to the door or is it adjustable? you might want to have an autobody guy take a look if it's welded too, they know all the tricks to line stuff up

[Rick C.]

I’m pretty sure the hinges aren’t bent. I had them out and took a look when I had it apart. It was sagging pretty bad before I put the new pins and bushings in. It just lifted it up a pretty good amount. I thought it was kind of odd, but I’ve never replaced these before, so I wasn’t sure if this has happened to anyone else or not.

[Rick C.]

Oh, and I’m pretty sure they’re welded on. Edit: I almost forgot…they’ve been replaced at least once before. They weren’t the originals.

Edited April 20, 2022 by Rick C.
Forgot info.

[richard wysong]

so if they are welded both sides the only way to adjust the door is by bending the hinges . if you drop the striker does it help? the latch may have a little bit of adjustment but may not either. a well equipped body shop should have the tools to align the door by bending the hinges. seems to me I saw a tool for that in 1 of the tool catalogs

[Rick C.]

I know I had to adjust the striker up because it wouldn’t latch without slamming it after I replaced the parts. I’ll double-check the hinges when I get home in the morning. I’m pretty sure they’re welded. If they are, I’ll do some searching to see if I can find a tool like the one you’re talking about.

[Jworks]

Agree with let a good auto body shop look at it.  You won't want to go from now on with that whistling

[Rick C.]

I believe I found the tool you were talking about. My wife left before I could look at the hinges, though. I’ll look at them tonight after she gets home. Hopefully I can get that tool and see if it’ll align the door better. If not, then it’ll be going to a body shop. You’re right. The whistling will drive me crazy. Lol

[diyer2]

If the holes in the hinges where the pins go are worn bad then the doors will sag. 

[Rick C.]

That’s the thing. It was sagging to begin with. So I changed the hinge pins and bushings, and it actually lifted the door HIGHER than it’s supposed to be.

[dna9656]

What are we driving? What model vehicle? If either side of the hinge has bolts there should be some adjustment possible by loosening the bolts and lowering/lifting the door accordingly, you'll need a floor jack with a 2 x 4 between the jack and the door to hold the door at the right height. If the door side of the hing has bolts there may be shims between the hinge and the door. If so remove the shims. Back in the day  I have seen hammers put in the hinge area and the door pressed towards the vehicle. This BENT the door UPWARDS to correct for a sagging door. I don't recommend this as the hinge area of the door will start to "oil can" Shims are best on bolted hinges. Keeping the hinge pins and bushings in good repair and lubed is essential to good door action. Other than the weight of the door causing the hinges to wear and lack of lube causing the door to drag pulling on the door when getting in/out of the truck bends the hinge face of the door; this weakens the metal. So when getting in/out don't hand or pull or use the door in any way to get in or out of the truck. Get a A pillar handle or one above the door inside the vehicle.

[richard wysong]

they are welded both sides , no adjustment so ...the only option is bend the hinges I think ,but the auto body guys know. You said they had been replaced before, the doors or the pins?

[Rick C.]

The hinge pins and bushings had been replaced before.