Alright, so my door wasn't lining up properly. If I open the door and try to lift it however the latch seems completely solid... however, even with the latch positing as far down as it can possibly go, it hits the metal part of the door and then doesnt latch all the way. In fact, going 2 years like this I cracked the heck out of the inside medal of the door. I was going to buy a new door but instead I spent the better part of a day sanding down the paint and welding the cracks. Now the cracks are fixed but that doesnt help what caused the cracks.

I'm having a lot of trouble diagnosing the issue, but if I dont fix it, water gets in the top of the door, the door shakes on the highway, air gets in the top (which is tough since this is my winter DD), and the doors going to start cracking again.

Thanks!

 

Sounds to me like the hinge pins are shot. Open the door and try lifting it at the back.

 

The adjustment's not too tricky, really. Pad your floor jack with a soft pine board so it won't scratch the paint, open the door and bring just enough pressure with the jack to hold it up. Loosen the hinge bolts at the body (cowl) side of both hinges, lift the door a smidge, then tighten the bolts and see how everything aligns. Lather/rinse/repeat as necessary.

Be careful not to foul up the fore/aft placement while you're at it.

 

I'm with this guy. I ended up replacing the pins on my 96 ram and haven't had a problem since.

 

Alright, new hinge pins came in the mail today...

Uhhh how do I get the old ones out?

 

Mine were not as easy to remove "AS THE ONES IN THE FAQ/DIY SECTION WERE" LOL JK . https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-for-30-a.html

 

i got same problem were u get kit lmc has it for 20$

 

You can get them at any parts store that has a HELP section.

 

I bought it from Rock Auto for $7 shipped.

The PROBLEM is that the hinge puns change in 1998... 98-01 is different, and those directions are for 98.

I found some directions online http://www.ehow.com/how_6540090_repl...inge-pins.html but I freaking WAILED on them and couldnt get them to budge.

I've done all the work myself, heck am I going to take it to a shop for this, but I think I may be getting to that point.

Can I use a saws-all and cut them in the middle and pop 'em out both sides? Or do I have to take the hinges off and take apart the doors? They don't have the springs that other people have referred to, and the new ones have clips.

When I install the new ones, do I do top clip up bottom clip down, or both clips down? I think I'm getting even MORE frustrated because it seems like such a stupid little easy thing that I feel stupid for having trouble doing this.

 

They should look like fat nails..... drive them out with a drift, and hammer. (they have been in there a while, don't expect them to come out willingly) Should have bushings for each hinge as well. Bushings go in so that they are trapped in there. (should be sorta T shaped, the wide part goes between the body side, and door side hinge 'arms'......)