Driver Door Adjustment

[ledzilla]

So, it looks like there's an issue with the driver door. The other night, I took the Bronco out. No problems with the door at all. The next day, I open the driver door, then it doesn't want to shut. It just bangs against the latch rod/post/whatever. If I lift up the door and then close it, it will close just fine. Is there a way to readjust the door so that it'll close properly? Or am I looking at new parts? Because I'm not really sure how I'm going to successfully close the door from the inside right now. At best I figure maybe lift the handle through the window, but that's a weird angle to reach on and still lift.

 

[Tiha]

With the door open, lift up on the outside edge see if there is any play in the hinges. Kind of sounds like a hinge either came loose or the hinge pin finally wore through the bushing.

If that is the case you can get new hinge pins and bushings in the help section of your local parts store.

You can also adjust the striker on the door jamb but the body lines won't match and probably won't seal very well.

 

[ledzilla]

Ok, cool. I'll take a closer look at that when I have a moment. Thanks.

 

[ledzilla]

Ok, so I took a closer look at what's going on. Seems like it has to do with the position of the door. Fully open, where I can see the hinges, everything behaves. As soon as I close it enough beyond the point that holds the door open, that's when it starts to sag down. However, at that point I can no longer see what's going on with the hinge. So, likely bad hinge pins/bushings? Bronco Graveyard has those kits for $6 each, so I guess maybe I should play it safe and do both hinges.

 

[Tiha]

I would do those pins and bushings first. Something had to move and that is the most common thing.

 

[ledzilla]

I have some replacement pins/bushings on order, which is fun. Don't think I've removed a door before, so this will be fun. I was thinking that I was going to use my engine hoist to support the door while fixing the hinges, supposing the boom lifts high enough. Anything I should know about removing the pins so I can avoid any unpleasant surprises?

 

[Tiha]

Myself, when I do it. I do one hinge at a time and don't take the door off.

Support the open door with a floor jack and a 4x4 makes it easier to align without damaging paint afterwards.

but that is me.

Then you have the hinge out on the bench where you can pound, drill, cut hammer, whatever.

 

[willdy]

I purchased the hinge pins expecting that to be my problem but after digging in found a bad door hinge nut-plate. The nuts are tacked welded to the nut plate and the tack welds had given out on one hinge. Replacement required a trip to PickYourPart.

 

[ledzilla]

Well, I was being a dummy and tried to do the repair without removing the hinge. Did not go well, but the door still works. Had to put that to rest for a bit because it started getting too hot and I had no shade, so for now the upper hinge has only half a pin. When I get a moment again, I'll make another attempt and just remove the hinge before continuing to work on it. If that all fails I'll resort to replacing the hinge altogether.