The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 50 door hinge springs

hi, i want to install the door hinge springs on my 50 chevy 1/2 ton. is this a straigt forward operation or will i be sorry i ever took the doors off (like when i attempted to replace the windshield :)) thanks for any input.

A lot depends on the condition of your hinges? Are they worn out, and need new pins? Might want to rebuild them at this time. Good hinges will make aligning the doors eaisier. Those springs can be pita, but scope it out, once you get one done the rest will go easy. Its been quite awhile since I done mine.

Che:
I just completed this task..and it was a PINA... I had the door off anyway to put on new weather strip.. I saw the broken spring clip and figured I was knee deep why not. Hmmmmm. I ended up taking them off the door. Fighting with them,going to the forum and looking and learning...staring at the picture on the Tech Tip page ( hinge rebuild -pic # 1... I think ).
I was able to put the clips in one hinge,by brute strength...thats after the hinge slipped out of the vince and all 207 lbs. pushing went into my hand as it struck the vice....Glad the shop is aways away from the house...cause I used a few potty words. Anyway, I tried the second Hinge...one spring went in..but the other would not...I was chicken to push so hard,plus hand didn't work 100%.. I ended up backing out the hinge pin which loosend everything and the spring went right in. Pounded the pin in and Bingo...
Put them back on the door and then fought with them to get on the truck...CLUE #1 use 2 people...Hmmmm.
And then follow the Tech Tips to align the doors..Also, make sure you take off the striker...and follow those tips also. They worked great,Just alittle bit of adjustment made a world of difference on the shutting and staying closed. Not perfect but very close. Oh Ya, After all said and done, one top springs fell out.AHHHHHHHHHH.I will live with it for now, It just isn't as stiff as the other door.

Again,Thanks to all the members, things are alittle easier.

i'm having second thoughts about doing this. but it sounds like the trick is loosening up that hinge pin. i guess i'll try one side and see how it goes. thanks to all for the insight.