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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: gearhead440 on April 09, 2007, 07:19:23 AM

Title: How do I fix door sag so it shuts without lifting it?
Post by: gearhead440 on April 09, 2007, 07:19:23 AM
My 80 driver's side door sags down such that you have to lift it up at the back for it to shut properly.  Once it is raised enough, it shuts fine.  Is there a way that I can shim / fix the door sag so that I dont have to lift up on the door to get it to shut properly?  Thanks
GH440
Title: Re: How do I fix door sag so it shuts without lifting it?
Post by: 77turbopinto on April 09, 2007, 07:58:58 AM
The hinges are worn. You CAN adjust them and it will be ok for a while, or you can remove them and install a pin and bushing kit. These kits are availble at most parts places.

BTW: If you go in through the fender well, you can remove and repair one at a time so you don't need to remove the door. The door will need to be re-adjusted after.

Bill
Title: Re: How do I fix door sag so it shuts without lifting it?
Post by: High_Horse on April 09, 2007, 03:42:58 PM
GH440,
  I had to lift mine a little when closing it. I was able to adjust it out without the hinge kits. And they close like brand new. If you can't work it out then you probably need the kits like 77TurboPinto says. But you have to try adjustment first. Which is like an afternoon project in itself. Be sure to have a block of wood and your floorjack handy.
When I finished my door adjustment I still had that annoying little latch clunk so I put a couple of layers of heatshrink around the latch post and shrunk them up (one at a time of course) and the door closes nice and sounds good. The heatshrink has been on there quite a few years. Put the layers on till the door wont latch and remove the last layer.

                                                             High_Horse
Title: Re: How do I fix door sag so it shuts without lifting it?
Post by: gearhead440 on April 10, 2007, 04:14:15 PM
Thanks 77turbo and High_Horse!  A shimmin' and a shrinkin' I will go, I guess.
Title: Re: How do I fix door sag so it shuts without lifting it?
Post by: dave1987 on May 02, 2007, 05:23:56 AM
Back when my older brother owned my 78 Sedan he backed the driver's side door into a bush (while the door was open) and bent the hinges. I was able to find a great pair of hinges from a bobcat in a wrecking yard for $10. There's plenty of other pintos and bobcats left in the yards around here if you'd like me to look around.

After replacing my hinges, I adjusted the door lug using some washers and shuts like new now! I ended up getting some door lugs from an 80 pinto in a wrecking yard that were like new and I don't need to put tape or shrink tube on my lugs anymore.
Title: Re: How do I fix door sag so it shuts without lifting it?
Post by: douglasskemp on May 04, 2007, 09:46:28 PM
I agree with Bill.  The hinge rebuild kits will do wonders, as will some new striker bolts which should be readily available in the 'HELP!' section of your local auto parts store.
Title: Re: How do I fix door sag so it shuts without lifting it?
Post by: phils toys on May 05, 2007, 01:56:27 AM
The striker bolts are available in the help section as i replaced mine last year.
Phils toys