Solution for sagging doors

[Jesse Jaymes]

I have both a 1973 Blazer and a 1986 CUCV. Both have doors that have sagged badly and are hard to close. Is there an DIY remedy for this. Can it be solved by replacing hinges, or is it not that easy?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Either new hinges or just rebuild your current ones with new pins and bushing kits.

 

[CGT80]

On my truck I have replaced the hinge pins, but I also had to replace the striker bolt on the door jamb, and adjusted the hinges to make the door line up properly. Also check to see if the top inside of the latch is worn(when the door sags, they will scrape the top of the striker bolt). Mine were very bad so I replaced them with junk yard parts.

 

[brooks294x4]

any local auto parts store will have hinge kits, there not very expensive, i think under 25 bucks

 

[badger red]

Just an idea if you have to replace the latches due to wear. In the past when I had to, I tried to find a Suburban or Crew cab and pulled the latches from the rear doors. Generally, these doors aren't used as much as the front two, and don't seem to have the sag issues as often. Just a thought--check those rear door latches.

Jeff

 

[muddermilitia]

Also check to see if the door is cracked at the hinge. I had that problem on my old 79 k-5. Both doors had cracks right where the hinge bolted up

 

[chevyuser74]

to adjust the hinge do u have to pull off the fenders? or do just mean where the hinge bolts on the door.

 

[CGT80]

I removed one of my doors, adjusted the hinge on the cab, and re-hung it. I got lucky and only had to do this once to make the door line up. There is a hinge bolt hidden under the dash that you have to loosen. The adjustment at the door will move the door in or out to the cab. The adjustment at the body will move the door up or down at the striker side. Use the body lines/curves to judge which way the door needs to be moved. I have never had a set of fenders off, so I didn't want to go to all of that work just to adjust a door. I also had one door that was rusted and split right next to the hinge. This was on the passengers door so maybe the hinge was too stiff and went unnoticed. I replaced that one, before my truck was painted, with a junk yard door. You can also tweak the door body slightly by pulling on it. The top of my door seemed out of alignment. My dad used his hands and body to twist the door slightly and it fixed it. I was sure it would mess up the door but was proven wrong. Just be careful if you try that.

 

[chevyuser74]

could i get a pic of the bolt?

 

[CGT80]

Sorry, I don't have pics right now, and my truck is not torn down to get them. If I remember correctly,the bolts are behind the rubber grommets that the wires for the door pin switches run through. On the passenger side, remove the glove box and pull the grommet that is on the other side of the backward bolt in the hinge. I think it is a 9/16 socket size. On the drivers' side, you may have to remove the left AC vent to get to the grommet.

 

[thekevin]

How much should I expect to pay if I take this to a body shop to have mine replaced.