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Door Removal Questions

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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 04:54 PM
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Default Door Removal Questions

I am removing the driver's side door in order to replace the hinge pins and bushings. My questions are:

To support the door, where at the bottom of the door do I need to place the floor jack? I have read in previous posts that a 2x4 piece of wood is needed.

To completely remove the door, when I disconnect the power window, will I be able to push the window harness connector fits into through the hole in the door where the rubber covering (conduit) fits into?

I have done a search on this subject and I choose to remove the door but the threads were not specific as to where one would place the jack/2x4 or how to get the window wiring harness connector through the hole in the door to completely remove the door from the vehicle.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 06:08 PM
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I jacked mine up to adjust for worn bushings. When I did it I put the jack on the floor, the 2x4 on the pad of the jack and a shop towel on top of the 2x4. The shop towel protects the paint.

I jacked at about 1/3 the door length as measured from the end of the door. This was mainly so I could sit on the door sill, jack up slowly and then tighten/loosen fasteners as I needed too.

One word of advice: When finished and you are opening/closing the door, carefully check to make sure that it does not interfere with the fender and chip paint....ask me how I know.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 07:56 PM
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if you have access to an engine hoist, that's the best option. use nylon strapping at the front and rear of door. if you jack from the bottom, you'll need another person to balance the door-and they're heavy!
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Oldguard 7
...To completely remove the door, when I disconnect the power window, will I be able to push the window harness connector fits into through the hole in the door where the rubber covering (conduit) fits into?...
May be not. Check your model year, but some of the PW wiring harnesses are clipped/tied to the front window channel to keep them out of the way during window operation. Once you've unclipped it, it will come out.

FWIW: You can remove hinge pins and replace busings without removing the doors. You want to ensure the old pin on the top hinge will clear the fender as it comes up.

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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 01:23 PM
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It's is best to have a helper with this job. If the door drops, you've got a big problem. Ask me how I know.
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 06:51 PM
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Sooooooooooooo, how do you know? (BTW, that's a funny catch phrase.)
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 11:23 PM
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It is done. I did call Willcox to ask about the wiring that runs throght the conduit. There were four connectors beneath the dash that needed to be disconnected in order to pull through the hole to remove the door. The pins were in good shape so I reused them. I adjusted the door (by myself) and now the door no longer sags. I like removing the door because imo you will be able to drive the upper pin without worring about chipping the paint on the door or even cracking it.
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Old Jul 2, 2011 | 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Oldguard 7
...I like removing the door because imo you will be able to drive the upper pin without worring about chipping the paint on the door or even cracking it...
True...but removing the door means you have to reinstall and realign the door once the bushings and pins are in.

Fiddle with doors often enough and you soon learn to leave them on and in place any time you can. A genuine "Leave well enough alone" scenario.

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