The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Wind caught my door ('57)

OK guys what do I need to do???? never did this type of work!
the wind caught my drivers side door and whipped it something fierce! Now the door opens too far out, and its difficult to close (very tight)
I assume front fender comes off. Once its off, can I get access to the hinge area? What do I replace? The hinge pins only?? What else is in there?
LOST IN VA. thx

You shouldn't have to take the front end off. Check the hinge pockets for damage and loosen everything up and readjust the door. If nothing is actually bent you should be able to realign the door. Or... visit a local body shop for advice.

I appreciate the advice, but what does 'loosen everything up' mean exactly? Mechanically, I'm good. But with these doors I am clueless.
I just went out and looked in the hinge pockets like you said, but I dont know how I'm supposed to get in there. 2 bolts on top hinge, and 2 bolts on the bottom hinge. If I remove them, does the door come out?
CLUELESS in VA.
thx guys

just a quick note...this is something I need to do myself. My truck budget will not allow me to pay a body shop to do the work. I am young and healthy enough to do the work...I just dont know how. This stimulus package is not very stimulating to my wallet! Any help is appreciated.

I believe there is an access panel in the kickplate area and also on the inside of the door that will let you get to everything.

If memory serves me correct there are three bolts per hinge. With the door open all the way there are two obvious hinge bolts exposed on the A-pillar, look inside the hinge, there sould be a third bolt visible directly between the two visible bolts. On the inner door panel there will be two plates you need to remove to gain access to where the hinges attach to the door. When closing the door do the body lines match at the front and rear edge of the door? If the back of the door is too low, you can either slide the door forward on the top hinge, or slide the door back on the bottom hinge by loosening the hinge bolts on the door. If the back of the door is too high vise versa. If you make this adjustment pay attention to the gaps between the front edge of the door and the fender, and the back edge of the door and the cab. If the front of the door is too high or too low, loosen the hinges on the A-pillar to move the door up or down. At the A-pillar is also where you would move the front edge of the door in or out. If I were adjusting a door I would first remove the latch striker and then adjust the door to fit the cab opening. After I was satisfied with door operation and fitment I would reinstall and adjust the striker. If the door on the other side of the truck opens and closes well, use it for comparison. If the wind caught your door hard enough it may have sprung the door mounting area, the A-pillar, or maybe even the hinges. This will be a door that has springyness to it before it closes all the way, it wants to spring open before it closes all the way. There should be enough adjustment through the hinges to compensate for this. If not, it is time to tweak things. This is probably best left up to someone who has done this before.

John

you hit the nail right on the head, John. The door does infact have 'springyness' to it before it closes all the way. I can now see the lower hinge is visibly bent. I guess I will have to purchase a new one.

Stick a pice of wood in the bent door hinge and spring it back into aliment. I've strightened many this way. If you can't figure out how to do this a good body man should be able to do it for you.

Picture in your mind whats happened to the hinges, sorta hyper extended? The idea is to "roll" the hinge back into position I've found that a socket sometimes will fit perfect inside the hinge. The idea is to sandwich the socket inside the hinge. I suggest you secure the socket with bailing wire so it won't drop down inside hinge pillar. Be careful, go slow spring it back a little and check the fit. You may have to do the upper then the lower, kinda walk it back into position. If you over do it you'll damage the door edge. If you go to a body shop find the oldest bodyman there, he's probably done it a hundred times.

Door alinment can drive you NUTS. I had the same problem with a truck that ran though the 2 post lift backwards with the doors open (lets just say besure that you hook up the nutral safety switch before you try to start it.) It had even bent the cab, and pulled the bolt holes in the door itself. Depending how bad your is, I would start with (as said before) tring to bend the hinge by putting a socket on the bolt inside the hinge pocket on the a pillar, and push on the door. It would be real easy to make you problem worse and chip paint. You might want to ask a pro. It might not cost as much as you think. And someone that don't no much about old trucks might tell you you have to change the hinges and the door. The new generation just throws new parts at it.

The hinges can be a real problem to get aligned back in place
correctly...I have aligned many doors on brand new trucks such as
Yours...I always used a block of hardwood to align doors...On older
trucks many times it meant getting the hinge red hot with a torch
and bending...Quite frankly without seeing the door its difficult
to give You advice on where to start....Bill B.