Drive Door Sag
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Drive Door Sag
My driver side door seems to sag a bit when it reaches about 40% open. While opening the door, I can feel it sort of drop down a little bit. It's really been bugging me lately, and I'd like to get it fixed. It seems to close just fine because at about 40% closing it picks back up the little bit it dropped.
I took a look at it as best I can, and can't determine where exactly the problem is. Everything appears to be tight and nothing seems to be bent where the hinges are. I'm not quite sure where to proceed from here.
Has anyone else experienced this and what steps did you take to correctly realign the door so it opens smoothly till 100% open?
Thanks!
I took a look at it as best I can, and can't determine where exactly the problem is. Everything appears to be tight and nothing seems to be bent where the hinges are. I'm not quite sure where to proceed from here.
Has anyone else experienced this and what steps did you take to correctly realign the door so it opens smoothly till 100% open?
Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburg Kansas
Mine does exactly the same thing, I can't figure out where the issue is either. Mine closes fine, just feels funny when you open and close. I just wonder if there is a flaw with the hinge at a certain point. Doesn't seem to me that it is a problem other than feeling weird. Mine is an 04 with 36k.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I wouldn't think its a matter of mileage, although it could be too. Rather, I tend to think its good old wear and tear on the hinge based upon how many times its opened and closed. I would also consider the envrionment the car is in for loosing hinge lubrication faster than other areas of the country. If it rains a lot where you are(I didn't look just now while typing this) then I would expect the lubrication would fail a little sooner or a lot, than areas of the country where rain is minimul.
Yes, I have over 306K on my '99 and I'm only starting to feel the door making a strange whatever it is. I figure its due for a door hing. The passenger side is fine.
Yes, I have over 306K on my '99 and I'm only starting to feel the door making a strange whatever it is. I figure its due for a door hing. The passenger side is fine.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Could very well be the case since I live in the Portland, OR area. More than our share of rain in these parts. I never let the car see rain, but who knows how the previous owner treated the car.
Like the guy above you said, it seems to close fine...it's just kind of irritating and I like everything to be perfect.
I took a look at the hinge today and it doesn't seem overly complicated. I'll give it some more though, but most likely I'll just look for a new hinge somewhere and swap it out.
Like the guy above you said, it seems to close fine...it's just kind of irritating and I like everything to be perfect.
I took a look at the hinge today and it doesn't seem overly complicated. I'll give it some more though, but most likely I'll just look for a new hinge somewhere and swap it out.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: CT
No offense intended, but if you or a previous owner have had trouble getting in the car and tend(ed) to lean on the door while climbing in, that could easily have caused the problem you describe. I would try replacing the hinge if it bothers you. Remember not to slide across the seat boster and not to lean on the door, ever. Otherwise, be prepared to replace stuff...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Many times it's the hinge pin BUSHING. I've replaced them in many GM's. You support the door, drive the hinge pin out, then drive or drill out the old bushing. Install a new one upper and lower-put the hinge pin back in and you good as new. Camaros and Firebirds were the worst for this-the doors were too heavy for the hinges and it would not take many years for new bushings.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Larkspur Colorado
Driver door sag
I bought a 2001 with 22000 miles in Oct 2007. My drivers door also sags a little when you open it up as described above. My seat also had a bad rock. I think one of the previous owners (oddly enough 3)was a "big" football player size guy. I suspect he leaned on the door when getting out of the car. I also think he contributed to the rocking seat problem. I am interested in adjusting the door to keep from dropping.
