driver side door will not close properly
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
driver side door will not close properly
Hi Folks,
1979 C3 L82
My first vette, and loving it!
Driver side door does not close properly, have to slam it to close, sits low on the door handle end, it seems.
I checked the hinge pins and the top one has a play to it,the top bushing in it is not there or disintegrated.
Ordered new pins and bushings, bushings seem to be too big…damn…
when trying to pull the old top pin out, the pin head is to big and will not go past the door frame on the inside (where it curves in) w/o damaging the same.
Also it seems like the hole at the bottom of the top hinge does not line up with the other three. The bottom one that is.
any suggestions?
1979 C3 L82
My first vette, and loving it!
Driver side door does not close properly, have to slam it to close, sits low on the door handle end, it seems.
I checked the hinge pins and the top one has a play to it,the top bushing in it is not there or disintegrated.
Ordered new pins and bushings, bushings seem to be too big…damn…
when trying to pull the old top pin out, the pin head is to big and will not go past the door frame on the inside (where it curves in) w/o damaging the same.
Also it seems like the hole at the bottom of the top hinge does not line up with the other three. The bottom one that is.
any suggestions?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 582
From: West Monroe Louisiana
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I haven't had to do this yet, but here is good advice from Willcox
Corvette on the best way to replace the pin and bushings.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...-1968-1982.pdf
Donnie
Corvette on the best way to replace the pin and bushings.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...-1968-1982.pdf
Donnie
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I will say that HOPEFULLY the hinge has not been eaten away from the pin...so when you go an put the new bushing in...the steel that surrounds this bushing is ALL THERE. IF the steel has been eaten away...the hinge needs to be replaced BECAUSE the bushing will not have the steel there to back it up and give it strength and the weight of the door can break the bushing in time. It will not happen right away...depending on how badly grooved the hole is.
As for grinding the head of the pin to the shape of a 'D'. Other than the visual difference. The missing edge that you ground off is not going to impair its effectiveness...because the pin is splined...and the head it the stop point. And these pins are really HARD. That is MY OPINION on that. So....This is doable...unless you want to get into removing the upper hinge and then getting it back in place and sealed up so NO WATER gets in your hinge post.
BUT BE AWARE...that IF you do grind the head to the 'D' shape and get it out by turning it when pulling ti out. DO NOT be surprised if when you try to put it back in AFTER you installed NEW bushing that it seems to NOT to wan to go in like it came out. AND...YES...you can chip paint.
DUB
As for grinding the head of the pin to the shape of a 'D'. Other than the visual difference. The missing edge that you ground off is not going to impair its effectiveness...because the pin is splined...and the head it the stop point. And these pins are really HARD. That is MY OPINION on that. So....This is doable...unless you want to get into removing the upper hinge and then getting it back in place and sealed up so NO WATER gets in your hinge post.
BUT BE AWARE...that IF you do grind the head to the 'D' shape and get it out by turning it when pulling ti out. DO NOT be surprised if when you try to put it back in AFTER you installed NEW bushing that it seems to NOT to wan to go in like it came out. AND...YES...you can chip paint.
DUB
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
Hi 79vette Joe, I'm no expert but I did do both door pins and re shimmed one a month ago, It's not a hard job but a bit tricky.
You will have to remove the door to get your clearance! The door will need to be supported as they are heavy, best way to do this is make a jig and make your bolts before removal
cheers Dave NZ
You will have to remove the door to get your clearance! The door will need to be supported as they are heavy, best way to do this is make a jig and make your bolts before removal
cheers Dave NZ
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Hi 79vette Joe, I'm no expert but I did do both door pins and re shimmed one a month ago, It's not a hard job but a bit tricky.
You will have to remove the door to get your clearance! The door will need to be supported as they are heavy, best way to do this is make a jig and make your bolts before removal
cheers Dave NZ
You will have to remove the door to get your clearance! The door will need to be supported as they are heavy, best way to do this is make a jig and make your bolts before removal
cheers Dave NZ
I am always pleased to see the steps people will take to do a job SMART and protect their investment....instead of.....jumping right into it and screwing things up and THEN asking what to do.
DUB
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Hi guys, I did finish replacing the pin and it worked great, tricky keeping the door in place after removing it from the hinges, video sure helped. Now the door closes properly and life is good. Next...the passenger side sun visor does not come down, stuck in the up position...any takers? suggestions? tricks?
J
J
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Hi 79vette Joe, I'm no expert but I did do both door pins and re shimmed one a month ago, It's not a hard job but a bit tricky.
You will have to remove the door to get your clearance! The door will need to be supported as they are heavy, best way to do this is make a jig and make your bolts before removal
cheers Dave NZ
You will have to remove the door to get your clearance! The door will need to be supported as they are heavy, best way to do this is make a jig and make your bolts before removal
cheers Dave NZ
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I will say that HOPEFULLY the hinge has not been eaten away from the pin...so when you go an put the new bushing in...the steel that surrounds this bushing is ALL THERE. IF the steel has been eaten away...the hinge needs to be replaced BECAUSE the bushing will not have the steel there to back it up and give it strength and the weight of the door can break the bushing in time. It will not happen right away...depending on how badly grooved the hole is.
As for grinding the head of the pin to the shape of a 'D'. Other than the visual difference. The missing edge that you ground off is not going to impair its effectiveness...because the pin is splined...and the head it the stop point. And these pins are really HARD. That is MY OPINION on that. So....This is doable...unless you want to get into removing the upper hinge and then getting it back in place and sealed up so NO WATER gets in your hinge post.
BUT BE AWARE...that IF you do grind the head to the 'D' shape and get it out by turning it when pulling ti out. DO NOT be surprised if when you try to put it back in AFTER you installed NEW bushing that it seems to NOT to wan to go in like it came out. AND...YES...you can chip paint.
DUB
As for grinding the head of the pin to the shape of a 'D'. Other than the visual difference. The missing edge that you ground off is not going to impair its effectiveness...because the pin is splined...and the head it the stop point. And these pins are really HARD. That is MY OPINION on that. So....This is doable...unless you want to get into removing the upper hinge and then getting it back in place and sealed up so NO WATER gets in your hinge post.
BUT BE AWARE...that IF you do grind the head to the 'D' shape and get it out by turning it when pulling ti out. DO NOT be surprised if when you try to put it back in AFTER you installed NEW bushing that it seems to NOT to wan to go in like it came out. AND...YES...you can chip paint.
DUB
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From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
