Passenger door slammer

[Dan-o]

My passenger door has to be salmmed for it to line up. It's an '84 K5 Custom (Deluxe??). I have
watched the vids on you tube. It latches well but that last click wont click, may need new
latch? The driver side is sweet, we have broken the door glass on the right side twice over the years.
Should I really take the hinges off? Idk. Anyone now of a mechanic in Northern Nv, who still may know how to
true out the door? Tia

 

[Blue85]

First of all, make sure the striker bolt is in good condition. You may need to replace the plastic insert with one from the "HELP" section of your local parts store or cut a piece of standard household PEX pipe to length. You can adjust the striker up and down to make it lines up with the door, but if the alignment is off you may need to adjust the hinge or replace the hinge pin bushings. Move the door latch *near* the striker bolt to see how well they align. The striker position adjusts up/down and in/out to align the door with the body, but if they don't align from the hinges, it won't be smooth. Too far "in" and the seals stop the door from closing. Too far "out" and the door looks like it's not quite closed. Adjusting it "down" may make it latch easier, but it will look strange closed or (worst-case) the door will impact the body and scrape things up.

You can test the hinge bushings by opening the door and lifting it up from the bottom to see if there is play at the hinge pins. If they are loose, the bushings should be replaced and in more sever cases, the pins. After the pins, bushings and striker are all good, if the latch still doesn't align to the striker, you may need to adjust the hinges where they mount to the body. This is a bit tougher, but I'm sure the operation has been described here somewhere.

 

[Dan-o]

First of all, make sure the striker bolt is in good condition. You may need to replace the plastic insert with one from the "HELP" section of your local parts store or cut a piece of standard household PEX pipe to length. You can adjust the striker up and down to make it lines up with the door, but if the alignment is off you may need to adjust the hinge or replace the hinge pin bushings. Move the door latch *near* the striker bolt to see how well they align. The striker position adjusts up/down and in/out to align the door with the body, but if they don't align from the hinges, it won't be smooth. Too far "in" and the seals stop the door from closing. Too far "out" and the door looks like it's not quite closed. Adjusting it "down" may make it latch easier, but it will look strange closed or (worst-case) the door will impact the body and scrape things up.

You can test the hinge bushings by opening the door and lifting it up from the bottom to see if there is play at the hinge pins. If they are loose, the bushings should be replaced and in more sever cases, the pins. After the pins, bushings and striker are all good, if the latch still doesn't align to the striker, you may need to adjust the hinges where they mount to the body. This is a bit tougher, but I'm sure the operation has been described here somewhere.

Thanks, I will try the above...I have a new striker, as well as new hinge bushings. We are doing a resto, and just cant justify paint (especially with the current prices) until that door is as smooth as a baby's bottom, after that will be good to go.
So I will try lowering the striker first. Then proceed as above.

Thanks................................!

 

[rampage]

Thanks, I will try the above...I have a new striker, as well as new hinge bushings. We are doing a resto, and just cant justify paint (especially with the current prices) until that door is as smooth as a baby's bottom, after that will be good to go.
So I will try lowering the striker first. Then proceed as above.

Thanks................................!

I’d try the bushings first as stated above. As he said, very easy test to grab the end of the door and lift to see if there’s any play. Very common issue for them to wear out and need replacing.