How to square up door hinge screw mounts? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72farmer · 05-03-2018, 05:29 PM

I have a drivers side door on a 71 that is hard to shut.I have all of the guts out of it so I am trying to make it better by adjusting it.I have the door off.And when you lay a straight edge across from top to bottom hinge mounting locations the bottom or top (not sure which one) is not square to the other.I don't see any cracks around hinge areas.
I watched a utube of a guy that squared the hinge mounts up by bolting a plate on hinge mount location.(ThisOldGarage)Then took a hammer and straightened out hinge mount location.Can I do this to square up hinge mount?

72farmer · 05-03-2018, 05:32 PM

pics

**tdangle** · 05-03-2018, 07:40 PM

Could you shim the upper bolts to bring it closer?

arcticman · 05-03-2018, 11:15 PM

Is the floor that the vehicle is on level? if the vehicle is on a perfectly level floor. is the air pressure in the tires, as well as tire tread the same ? if that is good is the springs sitting in the same place i.e. ride height front to back side to side. My point is that I'm not sure your what your trying to achieve with the level? I know if your setting a door in your house a level is required but not for a vehicle. to properly adjust a door you want to set the gap evenly along the bottom or rocker panel and then adj the door to the cab corner both should have a even gap. on a truck its to the best you can get it then you set your fender.
If your door is stiff to open and close it may need pins and pushings installed

rsgt · 05-03-2018, 11:56 PM

He is saying that his door frame needs trued.

72farmer · 05-04-2018, 07:25 AM

Yeah just using level for a straight edge.

arcticman · 05-04-2018, 11:38 AM

OK. I see that now. I've got about 40 years in collision repair industry (auto body). If a door frame has damage I've never used a straight edge to reference off another hinge pocket to determine a repair plan. Did your door get hyperextended? opened beyond the limiter strap? If you give me a little more history I may be able to get you going in the correct direction. Unless both upper and lower hinges are the same i.e. same part # what your seeing with the straight edge may be the way it was designed.One way you could use your method would be comparatively. Meaning do the same thing to a known undamaged door. maybe the door on the other side.

05-03-2018, 05:29 PM	#1
72farmer Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hazel Green AL Posts: 286	How to square up door hinge screw mounts? I have a drivers side door on a 71 that is hard to shut.I have all of the guts out of it so I am trying to make it better by adjusting it.I have the door off.And when you lay a straight edge across from top to bottom hinge mounting locations the bottom or top (not sure which one) is not square to the other.I don't see any cracks around hinge areas. I watched a utube of a guy that squared the hinge mounts up by bolting a plate on hinge mount location.(ThisOldGarage)Then took a hammer and straightened out hinge mount location.Can I do this to square up hinge mount? Last edited by 72farmer; 05-03-2018 at 05:30 PM. Reason: pics

05-03-2018, 05:32 PM	#2
72farmer Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hazel Green AL Posts: 286	Re: How to square up door hinge screw mounts? pics Attached Images

05-03-2018, 07:40 PM	#3
tdangle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,209	Re: How to square up door hinge screw mounts? Could you shim the upper bolts to bring it closer? __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

05-03-2018, 11:15 PM	#4
arcticman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: ANCHORAGE Posts: 135	Re: How to square up door hinge screw mounts? Is the floor that the vehicle is on level? if the vehicle is on a perfectly level floor. is the air pressure in the tires, as well as tire tread the same ? if that is good is the springs sitting in the same place i.e. ride height front to back side to side. My point is that I'm not sure your what your trying to achieve with the level? I know if your setting a door in your house a level is required but not for a vehicle. to properly adjust a door you want to set the gap evenly along the bottom or rocker panel and then adj the door to the cab corner both should have a even gap. on a truck its to the best you can get it then you set your fender. If your door is stiff to open and close it may need pins and pushings installed

05-03-2018, 11:56 PM	#5
rsgt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lowell AR Posts: 360	Re: How to square up door hinge screw mounts? He is saying that his door frame needs trued. Attached Images __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698292

05-04-2018, 07:25 AM	#6
72farmer Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hazel Green AL Posts: 286	Re: How to square up door hinge screw mounts? Yeah just using level for a straight edge.

05-04-2018, 11:38 AM	#7
arcticman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: ANCHORAGE Posts: 135	Re: How to square up door hinge screw mounts? OK. I see that now. I've got about 40 years in collision repair industry (auto body). If a door frame has damage I've never used a straight edge to reference off another hinge pocket to determine a repair plan. Did your door get hyperextended? opened beyond the limiter strap? If you give me a little more history I may be able to get you going in the correct direction. Unless both upper and lower hinges are the same i.e. same part # what your seeing with the straight edge may be the way it was designed.One way you could use your method would be comparatively. Meaning do the same thing to a known undamaged door. maybe the door on the other side.



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