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Door alignment adjustment

Sent to Car Experts September 9 2004 at 10:46 PM
   

I removed the doors of my 78 chevy truck for painting and rust control. Now I am reinstalling them and having a difficult time getting them into proper alignment. The old door marks have been painted over. If I really slam the door, it will shut right, but other wise, the bottom hags out or the top doesnt fit the frame. Both ddors did work fine before I removed them, so I do not think I am dealing with worn hinges. Whats the correct/best way to accomplish this?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value:  $5
Answer
September 9 2004 at 11:03 PM (17 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         

 You do not say what kind of truck you have but here is some info about a 78 chevy truck door adjustment.  

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figure 1


Fig. 1: View of the door hinge mounting


 

If the door being removed is to be reinstalled, matchmark the hinge position.

  1. If the door is to be replaced with a new one, remove the trim panels weathersheets and all molding. Remove the glass, locks and latches.

  2. Support the door and remove the hinge-to-body attaching bolts. Lift the door from the truck.

  3. Installation is the reverse of removal.

  4. Perform the adjustment procedure, as outlined in this section.


 

ADJUSTMENT

The holes for the hinges are oversized to provide for latitude in alignment.

Align the door hinges first, then the striker.


 

Hinges

  1. If a door is being installed, first mount the door and tighten the hinge bolts lightly.

  2. If the door has not been removed, determine which hinge bolts must be loosed to effect alignment.

  3. Loosen the necessary bolts just enough to allow the door to be moved with a padded prybar.

  4. Move the door in small movements and check the fit after each movement.

  5. Be sure that there is no binding or interference with adjacent panels.

  6. Keep repeating this procedure until the door is properly aligned.

  7. Securely tighten all the bolts.

Shims may be either fabricated or purchased to install behind the hinges as an aid in alignment.


 

Striker Plate

See Figure 2


Fig. 2: Common adjustable striker bolt


 

The striker is attached to the pillar using oversized holes, providing latitude in movement.

Striker adjustment is made by loosening the bolts and moving the striker plate in the desired direction or adding or deleting the shims behind the plate, or both.

The striker is properly adjusted when the locking latch enters the striker without rubbing and the door closed fully and solidly, with no play when closed.

Picture
FeedMySheep -- Auto Mechanic/Technician -- 81% Positive Feedback on 89 Car Accepts
Operate Mercy Auto Clinic
Reply
September 10 2004 at 1:53 PM (14 hours and 49 minutes and 37 seconds later)
         
It is a 1978 Chevy pickup, 3/4 ton run of the mill truck. I removed the door from the hinges, wrong way to do it according to your reply. The door needs to be open for me to reach the bolts, so even when I align it closed, once I open it, and tighten the bolts, it goes back to a poor fit. I am also having problems determining which way the hinges need to be adjusted to receive desired effect. For example, when shut one of the doors sticks out from the body back below the striker bolt. Do I need to adjust the bottom hinge forward, inward or is this corrected by adjusting the top hinge in some fashion? I should have planned better before doing this I realize now, but I have already stepped in it, so I am trying to recover. DO I have to go as far as removing the fenders so I can tighten the bolts with the door closed? To be honest, I really do not want to go that way, but if its going to be the best and easiest way to accomplish this task, I might have to rethink my position. I am going now to try to jack the door up with my floor jack, and see if raised up with that, I might be able to move the door where it needs to be, and adjust like that. Thanks so much for your time, and any additional info you might be able to provide will be greatly appreciated. Craig
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 10 2004 at 3:22 PM (1 hour and 29 minutes and 48 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
 you would have to go little steps...maybe work with one hinge at the time lets say you alight the top one with the bottom one lightly tighten and/or..you will finish this year, i am sure.
Picture
FeedMySheep -- Auto Mechanic/Technician -- 81% Positive Feedback on 89 Car Accepts
Operate Mercy Auto Clinic
Reply
September 10 2004 at 4:54 PM (1 hour and 31 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
Thanks alot, I guess I am in for alot of trial and error! Of course I have learned a valuable lesson for next time!!!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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