2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Front Door Hinge Pin DIY

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 12-02-2011, 05:01 PM
kejobe's Avatar
kejobe
kejobe is offline
Record Breaker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,241
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts
Default Front Door Hinge Pin DIY, Now W/Pics

Ok, I just got done doing the hinge pins on my driver door. My door was sagging pretty bad and wouldn't close all the way half the time. I used the hinge pins from LMC Truck.

Here are the other links to DIY's for sagging doors. First is basically free and IMO is a bandaid (you can also slide lower hinge toward the rear of the truck to accomplish the same thing as the washers), second one is for a style of pins that are different than mine. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-door-fix.html, https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-for-30-a.html.

Thought I'd give a DIY a shot.

This was done on a 2001 1500 4x4 Quad Cab with manual windows and manual locks. Sorry, no during pics. but I'll try to describe everything the best I can. Pics are after I was done to help show the what an where of things.

1) Remove door panel. There are 3 screws, the window crank, and a bunch of clips holding the door panel on. Remove the screws. 1 screw is at the mirror next to the window
Name:  IMG_20111203_074041.jpg
Views: 3946
Size:  58.8 KB,
the other 2 are in the door pull handle.
Name:  IMG_20111203_074049.jpg
Views: 3836
Size:  143.5 KB

The window crank has a clip behind it where it attaches to the regulator. You can push the door panel in and look inbetween the crank handle and spacer and see the clip. I have the tool the remove the clip but didn't need it. I just used a flathead screwdriver to pop it off.
Name:  IMG_20111203_074101.jpg
Views: 3787
Size:  120.1 KB



Now pull the door panel off by feeling behind it for the clips. Grab the door panel as close to the clips as possible and give a good firm yank at each clip. But not to hard or you could break the panel. Now that the panel is off, just set it aside.

2) Remove speaker, 4 screws and the harness. Pry the wire grommet from the door (in door jamb) with a flathead screwdriver (there are no clips holding it, just rubber).
Name:  IMG_20111203_075356.jpg
Views: 4158
Size:  155.1 KB
Pull speaker wires from door.

3) Remove door. MARK THE LOCATION OF DOOR TO HINGES TO HELP WITH REINSTALLATION. I did this by myself but helps if you have someone to help you. Remove the nut and bolt (14mm) from lower hinge that go into the door. Remove bolt from upper hinge (again, door side). Now you need to hold the door and remove the nut from upper hinge. Door is now free, set aside carefully.

4) Now it's time to remove the old hinge pins. They are made not to come out so you'll need some way to cut them in half and knock/pull them out. I used a sawsall to cut them and a flathead screwdriver and hammer to tap where I cut them to push them outwards and pliers to pull them the rest of the way out.
Name:  IMG_20111203_075158.jpg
Views: 4111
Size:  81.9 KB

The upper hinge has a large diameter and the small diameter pins. Cut both pins in half then pry/pull/tap them out.

The smaller pin holds the arm for the door spring. There wasn't much tension on it and when you remove the pin the spring and arm will come out. If you feel safer, you can use a screwdriver or pliers or something to pull the spring before the smaller pin is removed.
Name:  IMG_20111203_074013.jpg
Views: 7611
Size:  158.5 KB

Once you have them out the door side of the hinge will come off.

Remove the 2 old pin bushings from doorside hinge. I just tapped them from the inside a little then used a flathead screwdriver to pry them out.

Install the new bushings (ones with larger holes) by tapping them in with a hammer with the lip on the upper side on top and lip on lower side on bottom.

Now, the spring arm has a bushing in it also that needs to be removed. I had to grind one side, then tap and pry it out. install new bushing (small hole). I installed it with the lip on top and pressed it in with a vise and socket on the bottom to fully seat it.

5) Install upper door side hinge. Tap the large pin into place and install supplied e-clip. I put the pin in from the top and e-clip on bottom. Name:  IMG_20111203_074003.jpg
Views: 3995
Size:  153.8 KB

Install small pin from top through hinge then line up spring and arm to tap pin through bushing on arm. You may need to use a socket between the arm and lower side of hinge to hold the arm in place while you tap it in. Once installed, install e-clip.

6) Cut lower hinge pin and remove. Remove the bushings and install new. Tap new pin in and install e-clip.

7) Install door. While holding door up to hinges, install and snug the nut to the upper hinge.

Install the 2 bolts and other nut to hold door but don't tighten until door is aligned to where it was when removed.

Install speaker wires and grommet.

Install speaker.

Check door closing and opening to make sure it opens and shuts smoothly (the way it should).

Align door as needed.

Once door is alinged, reinstall door panel, screws and window crank.

Doing the drivers door only took me about 45-60 minutes.

Now there are obviously more wires and other steps that are not covered here if you have power locks, windows, and mirrors. Use your best judgment on the removal of these wires and the switches and such.
 

Last edited by kejobe; 12-04-2011 at 01:16 PM. Reason: Add pics
  #2  
Old 12-02-2011, 06:56 PM
zman17's Avatar
zman17
zman17 is offline
Retired Moderator - RIP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NH
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

Good write up, there are already a couple in the FAQ/DIY section. Yours is a little more detailed. Pics would make it even better.
 
  #3  
Old 12-02-2011, 09:04 PM
kejobe's Avatar
kejobe
kejobe is offline
Record Breaker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,241
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-door-fix.html

This is the only one I see in there. This method is just a bandaid. You'll still have bad pins and bushings.

I'll see what I can do tomorrow about some pics. I've already learned, NOBODY wants to upset the ZMAN!!
 
  #4  
Old 12-02-2011, 10:28 PM
Terribly's Avatar
Terribly
Terribly is offline
Rookie
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

That is a great write up even without the pics for now. My door has been sagging since I bought the truck 6 years ago. Maybe one day Ill add that to 'Dodge Fix It' list
 
  #5  
Old 12-03-2011, 07:06 AM
zman17's Avatar
zman17
zman17 is offline
Retired Moderator - RIP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NH
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by kejobe
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-door-fix.html

This is the only one I see in there. This method is just a bandaid. You'll still have bad pins and bushings.

I'll see what I can do tomorrow about some pics. I've already learned, NOBODY wants to upset the ZMAN!!
In the FAQ/DIY section, look under "Old DiY Link" thread.
 
  #6  
Old 12-03-2011, 07:48 AM
kejobe's Avatar
kejobe
kejobe is offline
Record Breaker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,241
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

Ok here is the other one: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-for-30-a.html

Problem with this one is that he says there are plastic washers holding the pins. Well, not on mine. The pins had the flat on top and on the bottom they were flared. The bushings appeared to be thin steel and some other material for the make-up. Therefore, the process for removal will be different and others may look at theirs and see the style like I had, and "OH SH*T, NOW WHAT THE H*LL DO I DO" could happen.

Now, what do you have to say?
 
  #7  
Old 12-03-2011, 10:06 AM
zman17's Avatar
zman17
zman17 is offline
Retired Moderator - RIP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NH
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

The same thing I already said, yours is more detailed, and even has pics now. So it's way better.

I think you took what I said wrong, in no way did I mean to knock your DIY, if that's what you think.
 
  #8  
Old 12-03-2011, 11:06 AM
kejobe's Avatar
kejobe
kejobe is offline
Record Breaker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,241
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by zman17
The same thing I already said, yours is more detailed, and even has pics now. So it's way better.

I think you took what I said wrong, in no way did I mean to knock your DIY, if that's what you think.
That's why I did it, to be detailed as I could and hopfuly help others. Just because I figured it out as soon as I looked at it doesn't mean everybody will. Hell, there are things that I look at and wonder what I have to do to fix it. Like my thread about a rear lift <<perfect example.

And no, I didn't take it wrong. I did go to school, therefore I am a smart*ss and not a dumb*ss.
 
  #9  
Old 12-03-2011, 11:44 AM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is offline
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 81,016
Likes: 0
Received 3,211 Likes on 2,962 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by kejobe
That's why I did it, to be detailed as I could and hopfuly help others. Just because I figured it out as soon as I looked at it doesn't mean everybody will. Hell, there are things that I look at and wonder what I have to do to fix it. Like my thread about a rear lift <<perfect example.

And no, I didn't take it wrong. I did go to school, therefore I am a smart*ss and not a dumb*ss.
Seems to be a lot of that going around here.
 
  #10  
Old 12-03-2011, 11:58 AM
kejobe's Avatar
kejobe
kejobe is offline
Record Breaker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,241
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by HeyYou
Seems to be a lot of that going around here.
At least there is conversation and good humor rather than a bunch of BS that doesn't pertain to the thread topic. Oh, wait...that's what's goin on right now.
 


Quick Reply: Front Door Hinge Pin DIY



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:36 PM.