Door Alignment?
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
Door Alignment?
Is there any aligning possible on the drivers door so that it will close tighter? Both of my driver's door have wear, and have to be pushed up slightly to shut(slam), and don't close all the way compared to the passenger door. I don't know if there is any bushing's to replace? It's getting worse, but the passenger side has no problems. I know it's an age thing, but is there anything I can replace? I've messed with the striker bolt, but it doesn't change anything.
Thanks in advance
Evan
Thanks in advance
Evan
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Door Alignment?
When I got my '95 F150 a couple years ago I noticed the driver's door would kind of hump up a bit on shutting and that it was not aligned perfectly with the body. I asked my mechanic if he would adjust it, thinking he would re-set the door, but he simply loosened the peg on the door jamb, banged it over a tad, and tightened it up. Door is still misaligned to the body, but shuts nicely now, and you only notice the misalignment if you look for it. I am perfectly happy with this fix as it was free.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Door Alignment?
Whoops, Guess I read through your message too fast Pastmaster. Now I see you already messed with the striker bolt. So there must be a lot more play/misalignment in your doors.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
Door Alignment?
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 03-Jul-01 AT 09:15 AM (EST)[/font][p]Sort of related--I swapped the infamous broken-spring driver's door hinge for the new, improved variety.
The hinge bolts into door and doorframe from the inside of the door/doorframe gap created by the hinge, and getting to the bolt heads is a real PITA, much less correctly aligning the door.
I've fooled with the striker, and can shut the door, but it kicks out at the bottom, sucks in at the top, and neither leading nor trailing door edges are flush with body work.
It's pretty clear to me the hinge adjustments that have to be made--anybody have an easy way or know of a handy-dandy tool for getting at those hinge bolts?
At this point, I'm wondering if a fresh hinge (the cure, Pastmaster) ain't worse than the cause?
Eddie
The hinge bolts into door and doorframe from the inside of the door/doorframe gap created by the hinge, and getting to the bolt heads is a real PITA, much less correctly aligning the door.
I've fooled with the striker, and can shut the door, but it kicks out at the bottom, sucks in at the top, and neither leading nor trailing door edges are flush with body work.
It's pretty clear to me the hinge adjustments that have to be made--anybody have an easy way or know of a handy-dandy tool for getting at those hinge bolts?
At this point, I'm wondering if a fresh hinge (the cure, Pastmaster) ain't worse than the cause?
Eddie
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
Door Alignment?
Guys, I have to oil the hinge at least every other week, and the wind noise is horrible. If you grab the door on the bottom and top and move it up and down it seems loose. If you open the door all the way the hinge will "Crack" loudly. Is this one of those things that I should have a body shop fix?
My 1993 truck is worse than the 1989 is. But the hinge looks all identical to me?
My 1993 truck is worse than the 1989 is. But the hinge looks all identical to me?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Door Alignment?
If the door moves up and down then your hinge pins and bushings are probably worn. Auto parts stores should have replacements for about $5 per hinge, dealer also has them for about 3 times as much. Takes about 15 minutes to change them.
RCC
RCC
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Door Alignment?
Hello. I just completed the body work on a 1985 F-150. I installed a new door on passenger side and had to remove and rebuild the driver side. Definitely replace the hinge pins on driver side, not too bad a job and makes all the difference. As for the hinge alignment, use the bolts that go into the door to adjust how far the top and bottom tip in or out. I believe they are 13mm(ain't Ford great with the metric bolts?). Takes a few tries but can do it relatively easily. Just be careful when testing so as not to catch the door on the front fender or the rear door post. After you replace the hinge, the door still might tilt downward. Instead of adjusting the hinge where it bolts to the truck, I cheated and put some large washers between the bottom hinge and the door. Worked great and no one will ever know. Lastly, I would replace the weatherstripping if it's looking old and tattered. Cost me about $18 per side.
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