Door Pins / Bushing Replacement

Today I replaced the Door hinge pins and brass bushings on my 98LS, Holy Shit, You guy's are in for a real treat when you tackle this project. I followed Josh's instructions (STICKIED) to a tee, and he made it look so easy. For me everything that could go wrong went wrong, Frozen rusty pins, busted up bushings and homemade tools to beat out the old hinge pins. I thought it would take less then one hour per side when I started, :lol: :lol: :lol: Boy was I way off. Anyway, 5 hours later (lot's of swearing, and sweating), This simple job was finally completed.

:2cents: Good luck guy's if you have plans on doing this in the near future.

my two cents ...

have a floor jack AND buddy to hold the door ...

i managed to do it without unhooking any electric ... its all about the buddy to hold it for you ...

get the GM spring compressor tool ... use a hammer to hammer it fully into the spring and place it at the ends of the spring so it compresses the spring fully ...

tape the edge of the door so it doesn't scratch the paint !

always be careful with the compressed spring in the tool ... use a heavy rag to place over it for safety ...






Today I replaced the Door hinge pins and brass bushings on my 98LS, Holy Shit, You guy's are in for a real treat when you tackle this project. I followed Josh's instructions (STICKIED) to a tee, and he made it look so easy. For me everything that could go wrong went wrong, Frozen rusty pins, busted up bushings and homemade tools to beat out the old hinge pins. I thought it would take less then one hour per side when I started, :lol: :lol: :lol: Boy was I way off. Anyway, 5 hours later (lot's of swearing, and sweating), This simple job was finally completed.

:2cents: Good luck guy's if you have plans on doing this in the near future.

When I do hinges, as above I try to have someone with me... or I do one at a time... To get the pins out, I take a ratchet extention and smack it with a hammer to drive the pin out..(hasn't failed me yet through at least 10 pin/bushing changes) For the bushings, I simply use a flat head screw driver under the lip to crack it and pick the pieces out.. Tap in the new bushings etc... For the spring, yes, easiest to use a spring tool.

hi,i replaced the pins in my sonoma,i used a engine hoist and a strap to hold up the door when i removed the pins, works great

Hey rlith, thats exactly what I used, an 18 inch ratchet extention and a small socket on the end of it to beat out the old pins, my trouble was the bottom pin, The top pin came out and went in 10 min.I could have had some better help with me for this job also ( the wife and a 3ton floor jack). Yes the spring tool was $24.00 at Napa Auto and worth it's weight in gold. The front doors are perfect now and I'm glad I did them before winter. If I ever have to do the rear door's, I will get a better helper for sure. :lol: :lol: :lol: Where did you get your black side bars at and how bad was the install???