Door Alignment Help

[cah2873]

I have been working on a 1984 Chevrolet K20. I have replaced all the seal in the doors and windows- including the vent windows. I have been having a little alignment problem when installing the vent window on the passenger side thus causing the actual window to have some alignment issues also. I think I about have those repaired. Another thing I noticed was that the door does not sit like the drivers side door as shown in the pics. How does one adjust the door to sit like the other one. Everything else seems like to line up pretty good on the doors. Sorry for the pics sideways. Not sure how to rotate them.

 

[87scotty]

Open door lift up on it from the end,to check bushings these are often the culprits if theres any up and down movement.

 

[cah2873]

There is about 1/2" movement on the outer edge of the door. Where can these bushings be purchased? I saw in the LMC catalog where you have to purchase the entire hinge. Does the door need to have some shims under it?

 

[yevgenievich]

Hinges have replacable pins and bushings. That will fix the extra play. Local parts stotes usually cary them. Some prefer to replace the complete hinge instead, especially if originals are bent out of shape.

 

[cah2873]

That is what I am wondering- If they are bent. I do not see how 1/2" play is going to line up the door as shown in the 2nd picture and the gap there.

 

[Georgeb]

I would do the pins on your oem hinges. If you take time to mark their location for reassembly it could save you some time adjusting them later.

 

[jetman]

In the past I have replaced/aligned doors with fenders removed. Is is possible to remove hinges with fenders on? Is is easy to replace pins/bushings with fenders on?

 

[87scotty]

hard to tell how far off door is maybe snap a pic from a few more feet away. and turn camera sideways lol

 

[cah2873]

I took the door off, installed new pins and bushings, re-aligned the door, installed a new striker, and it is not perfect- but a lot better than it was!

 

[Old barn auto]

All the advice everyone gave is very good. Another Avenue to take would be to look at gaps side to side if you have a problem with the apillar needing to come forward to lesson the gap as long as all the other gaps around the bottom,back,and top are close to being right. You may need someone to help you with this just to hold it still,then just loosen the side bolted to the cab you probably know about the top beside the inner glove box. If you got a helper have them push it forward or pry it, if using a pry bar try wrapping it with an old cotton shirt to keep from marring the paint when you get the gap right snug and check all sides including the very front of rocker panel. Always remember this about these trucks, they were not always perfect from the factory something almost every time was always off a little but you will get it just keep at it cause the more you get right now the better it will be when finished these are only suggestions so definitely good luck to you.