Front drivers door alignment

[opfor2]

This weekend I replaced the lower drivers side door hinge and I can’t seem to get the door aligned properly. Any ideas..

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Can you provide some photos, so that we can see what you are seeing?

 

[SpareParts]

If it is sagging, the down and dirty way is a 2X4 and a jack. With the door slightly open put a 2X4 under the inside part of the door and jack it up a little at a time till it closes and lines up right. They actually make a tool for it also.

 

[j91z28d1]

if it's the same as the 96. it's worth buying the tool. you're actually bending the body

 

[opfor2]

If it is sagging, the down and dirty way is a 2X4 and a jack. With the door slightly open put a 2X4 under the inside part of the door and jack it up a little at a time till it closes and lines up right. They actually make a tool for it also.

Easier said than done Trying to tighten the bolts while you maneuver, the door is a challenge

 

[dkad260]

When I replaced my hinge it was a pain to get it right. Just be super careful you don't let the gap get too tight at the fender and close the door..then you have a lot of problems. I left one hinge in place so I had a reference. A few wooden or plastic shims like this help in the door gap between the fender..a second set of hands help.

 

[opfor2]

When I replaced my hinge it was a pain to get it right. Just be super careful you don't let the gap get too tight at the fender and close the door..then you have a lot of problems. I left one hinge in place so I had a reference. A few wooden or plastic shims like this help in the door gap between the fender..a second set of hands help.

View attachment 459085

I'm assuming you do this with the door closed right? If that's the case, how do you tighten the bolts without the door open.

 

[dkad260]

I'm assuming you do this with the door closed right? If that's the case, how do you tighten the bolts without the door open.

Sorry, I should have been more specific, as I see your concern.

You need to be sure you don't close the door with the panels touching, having someone hold a shim to give you a go/no go alert can save you a headache. I believe when I changed the lower hinge, I used blue painters tape to mark the old one, left the upper hinge alone, then removed the lower. When reinstalling, I lightly snugged the bolts, closed the door with the shims in place and if it was slightly tight, it moved the hinge a little. Then I tightened the bolts and tried the door again checking the gap.

I used the tape along the top and bottom of the hinge iirc, only needing fore and aft adjustment. HTH.