I replaced the pins and bushings on
the driver door on my 94 SC. I used the universal pin and
bushing kit #38400 that you can buy at any auto store
that sells HELP! kits and replacement parts. They were
easy to replace. First remove the ground connector from
the battery. You don't have to disconnect any wiring at
the door, but you need to disconnect the battery to be
safe. Next open the door and position a floor jack under
the door to support it and make sure to cover the jack
with a towel to protect the paint on the door. Get
someone to hold the door for you while you remove the
bolts from the DOOR SIDE ONLY of both hinges. Pull the
door out away from the car as far as the wiring will let
you. Now you can get at the tops of the hinges to remove
the pins. Grind off the top of the pins (a dremel tool
with a rasp bit works good). Look at the orientation of
the hinge, and you can drive the pins out of each hinge
with a tapered punch. Knock the bushings out of the hinge
half that falls off after you removed the pins and
install the new bushings that come in the kit. The door
side hinge half is the only one that moves with the door,
so it is the only half that has bushings.
You are now ready to put the hinge back together. The new
pins are longer than they need to be, so measure them
against the old pins and cut them about 1/4 inch longer.
Round off the end of each pin with a file or better yet a
grinding wheel if you own one. Now put the hinge back
together being CAREFUL to align the stop on the hinge so
it is oriented right. It stops the door so it doesn't
open too far. The pins drive in from the bottom and are
knurled next to the head to seat them and hold them in
the hinge. I used an air impact hammer that works fast
and great. Otherwise you will have to pound them in with
a hammer and punch. The drivers door took me about an
hour. You may need to replace the door striker bolt if it
is worn badly. You need to check the door alignment after
you get the screws back in the hinge. Be patient and the
alignment isn't too hard. You need this other person to
help hold the door while you adjust the bolts. You now
have a door that works like new, and you saved about $50.
labor per door. The kits are cheap. Good Luck! |
