Door Closing Issue (1985 Scottsdale) Resolved

[mclaymannn]

A simple door-closing fix that I could do right away and, it WORKED!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_eRtSdw-A

At first I thought my new door seals were the issue and, after searching the forum, I could not find anything short of door pins (which my truck didnt need) and a complete strike latch assembly (mine didnt appear to be worn). However, after watching the video, I went out and invested in a piece of 1/2" PEX and a PEX cutter (which I needed anyway) and for about $15 Canadian I was able to make new striker bushing.

After a really bad Monday of epic fails and things going wrong this video restored my faith again, LOL.

Will take photos later if anyone wants to see, but the video illustrates it pretty well!

[skyphix]

Originally Posted by mclaymannn

A simple door-closing fix that I could do right away and, it WORKED!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_eRtSdw-A

At first I thought my new door seals were the issue and, after searching the forum, I could not find anything short of door pins (which my truck didnt need) and a complete strike latch assembly (mine didnt appear to be worn). However, after watching the video, I went out and invested in a piece of 1/2" PEX and a PEX cutter (which I needed anyway) and for about $15 Canadian I was able to make new striker bushing.

After a really bad Monday of epic fails and things going wrong this video restored my faith again, LOL.

Will take photos later if anyone wants to see, but the video illustrates it pretty well!

I did this at the end of last week - really does make a huge difference. I did it in about 10 minutes using nothing more than a leatherman that had a small saw. Here in Maine 5ft of PEX cost me under $2 after taxes and I already had the leatherman. I used all of 3" of it.

[mclaymannn]

Leatherman? That's hardcore!!! LOL.
I broke down and bought the cutters, otherwise I would have used a hacksaw, but I needed the cutters anyway... besides, they cut so smooth!

[skyphix]

Originally Posted by mclaymannn

Leatherman? That's hardcore!!! LOL.
I broke down and bought the cutters, otherwise I would have used a hacksaw, but I needed the cutters anyway... besides, they cut so smooth!

Hah, it was super fast even with the leatherman. Cut it to length with the saw, snipped it with the wire cutters inside the pliars, and cut it the rest of the way with the knife. Easy peasy. Would have taken a lot longer to find my hack saw or plug in the dremel lol.

[ghostflyer]

Someone posted this fix a while back. But only mentioned using the pex, not how to install it. So like a dummy, I took the striker bolt out, only to discover that the pex would would not fit over striker. So I put it all back together, without the pex, and tried to adjust the striker, only to find it wasn't any better. I thought my truck must have a different size striker bolt than the poster's.
So, since I already had the pex and the cutter I went out this morning and did the job in less than 10 minutes. I had no clue the pex was split until I watched the video. The picture was truly worth more than a thousand words. Thanks to mclaymannn for this post
Of course it worked like a charm this time.

[LT7A]

Hey Ghost, howdy to a local (relatively). It's funny but for all of the times (several) that I've run across this mentioned, only one other time did somebody mention splitting the PEX. Glad you got yours together eventually.

[KrazyRay]

I did this fix on my 87 GMC a few years ago and posted on here. I used a pex expansion tool to get the pex to fit over the bolt. I did not know that you could split the pex.

[skyphix]

I split the pex down one side, used pliars to open it up and snap it over. Worked great.

[rodstored-72]

Originally Posted by skyphix

I split the pex down one side, used pliars to open it up and snap it over. Worked great.

I just did this on my '86 truck & it really works great! I highly recommend doing this. I used a dremel to "split" the pex & "cut" about 1/8" gap & just "slipped" it over the stryker. I went the extra mile & bought the red pipe to match my red truck!

[TKCR]

Did this awhile back also, but I just used new strikers that already had the bushing on there. My strikers were a bit chewed up, along with the bushing being missing.

[Dead Parrot]

I used a vise to get the Pex started onto the bolt and finished with the bolt bushing from a dead shock for a K30(the bushings seemed useful for something when I replaced the shocks). I may have warmed the Pex up first, its been couple of years. No splitting needed.

Do clean up any high points on the striker bolt first.

[Keith Seymore]

You all know those are commercially available, right?

I made some out of PVC and they worked initially but not as long as the parts actually designed for that application.

K

[Shifty One]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

You all know those are commercially available, right?

I made some out of PVC and they worked initially but not as long as the parts actually designed for that application.

K

I was going to say something, but I was waiting for the reason why the PEX would be better....

[Dead Parrot]

Originally Posted by Shifty One

I was going to say something, but I was waiting for the reason why the PEX would be better....

When I did mine, PEX was obtainable, the "Help" pieces weren't due to Covid supply issues.

[Shifty One]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

When I did mine, PEX was obtainable, the "Help" pieces weren't due to Covid supply issues.

I figured that was probably a logical explanation...carry on!

[rodstored-72]

well... Keith once again shows why he is a respected member on here . I did not know (or even check) to see if available...assumed that they were something long gone or not a "meant to be replaceable" part.
thanks Keith

[kglowacky]

went to auto zone Orielly's and advanced today no plastic bushings available for chevy. The ones pictured above for fords . Dont think they will work for c-10 Will try napa.

[Shifty One]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

went to auto zone Orielly's and advanced today no plastic bushings available for chevy. The ones pictured above for fords . Dont think they will work for c-10 Will try napa.

The Motormite/Dorman p/n# is 38420

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

went to auto zone Orielly's and advanced today no plastic bushings available for chevy. The ones pictured above for fords . Dont think they will work for c-10 Will try napa.

Never noticed, but the Dorman package says Ford right on it.

They worked on my '87 C/K/R/V truck and my '74 Chevelle.

K

[rodstored-72]

in general... just curious.... what do you guys think of the chances that the above dorman part would fit other GM (specific) vehicles? IE: camaros, chevelles and such?

maybe "utilize" these on other builds too??

[Dead Parrot]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

in general... just curious.... what do you guys think of the chances that the above dorman part would fit other GM (specific) vehicles? IE: camaros, chevelles and such?

maybe "utilize" these on other builds too??

If it fits one, it probably fits many. GM of that era used the same parts across a lot of product lines. Stylistically, there may be differences, but lots of things will physically fit. I test fit a Pontiac steering wheel onto a square steering column when looking for a replacement wheel for my sticky mess OEM wheel. It would have worked but would have really looked odd. Found a Blazer wheel that both fit and looked decent. Still using that one today.

From memory, the striker bolt on my 79 Camaro was of the same design as the truck versions.

[Shifty One]

Dorman/Motormite are famous for not listing what their products fit, my catalogues are chock-full of footnotes.

[Honest Bob]

Those ford doorman parts work just fine on my truck.