Door re-install

[Auggie]

I am installing the hard doors on the new arrival and the mechanisms are all working properly but aligning the door latch with the catch on the jam seems to be a larger problem than I had thought.  Either the door hangs too low or too high and gets hung up on the catch.  I understand the concept of angling the hinges in or out for up and down, but am still not getting a good closing that allow the door to be reopened without considerable effort... I have even tried shimming the hinges with small washers to add/lower height............is it as simple as hit or miss? Any suggestions on any tricks of the trade that I am missing?

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Auggie,

The "catch" or striker post can be loosened and moved slightly to make the door open/ close better.

Get the door correctly aligned with the fender, top and body then move the striker post to allow for easy closing and make the door even with the body when closed.

Good Luck 

 

[Bully Bob]

Agree with Ron.., square the door in its hole then tune the catch--up, down in,out....

The worst case is the body may be tweeked.., due to a crunch.., or maybe a body mount has failed,

allowing the center of body to sink.

Measure the door opening for square.

----BTW.., what about the other door..?

 

[Auggie]

Hey Guys,

Appreciate the info. I got the doors on to the best of what is possible.  I still need to get some door rubber to help ease those doors from slamming, but they open and close with a minimum of effort.  The passenger side fit perfect, driver side is still a little hard to open after closing....openings are square,  The driver side door upper hinge may need to be tweaked out to allow for proper opening off of catch.  I could not find any way to adjust the positioning of the catch.  The two screws were set in stationary holes wit no manner of adjustment.

Thanks for the info though...much easier to approach after I set the doors in the opening.

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Auggie,

The 2 screws should be able to be loosened and the striker post moved slightly in-out  up-down for adjustment.  It could be tight with some rust or paint.

I have had to loosen the screws and tap the post with a rubber hammer to get it loose for adjustment.

Good Luck

 

[Bully Bob]

If memory serves.., the "catch" (actually called "striker") itself doesn't adjust.

The nuts it attaches to are "floating" nuts in that they move around in a cavity,

captured behind the pillar skin.

You might try removing the catch (striker).., put a longer bolt in & shoot in there with penetrate oil.

Tap on the bolt to see if they break free.

It could also be a flat plate (not two seperate nuts) with two threaded holes in there.

Seems I never took "both" screws out at the same time..., thinking the plate would fall down

never to be found.... (

The hinges attach to floating plates as well as the spare tire rack. (known to corrode & stick in place)

Can't remember if the "latch" on the door itself is movable. Seems it was locked in place.

 

[miesk5]

Yo,

This is by aarc for 77 Bronco. Does it make any sense???

ADJUSTMENT

http://repairguide.autozone.com/znetrgs/repair_guide_content/en_us/images/0996b43f/80/21/1e/fe//small/0996b43f80211efe.jpg

Figure 1.

http://repairguide.autozone.com/znetrgs/repair_guide_content/en_us/images/0996b43f/80/21/1e/ff//small/0996b43f80211eff.jpg

Figure 2.

Loosen the hinge-to-door bolts for lateral adjustment only. Loosen the hinge-to-body bolts for both lateral and vertical adjustment.

See Figures 1 and 2

Determine which hinge bolts are to be loosened and back them out just enough to allow movement.

To move the door safely, use a padded pry bar. When the door is in the proper position, tighten the bolts to 24 ft. lbs. and check the door operation. There should be no binding or interference when the door is closed and opened.

Door closing adjustment can also be affected by the position of the lock striker plate. Loosen the striker plate bolts and move the striker plate just enough to permit proper closing and locking of the door.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Remove the upper and lower hinge access hole cover plates, if so equipped and matchmark the hinge-to-body and hinge-to-door locations. Support the door either on jackstands or have somebody hold it for you.

Remove the lower hinge-to-door bolts.

Remove the upper hinge-to-door bolts and lift the door off the hinges.

If the hinges are being replaced, remove them from the door pillar.

To install:

Install the door and hinges with the bolts finger tight.

Adjust the door and torque the hinge bolts to 24 ft. lbs.

 

[Auggie]

Thanks for the diagrams! I had not even thought about loosening the hinges on the doors rather than just using the body attachment site for adjusting.....simple things huh?

Looks like Saturday will be another Bronco door day.

Thanks again.