Drivers side door sags...bad lower hinge?

[jeffandpamsmith]

Hi, this is my first post on this forum, and I have searched for an answer, but need advice.

My drivers side door sags at the rear about 1/4 inch. I have to lift the door up to get it to close. On looking, the top hinge looks fine (that's the one with a simple pivot). The bottom hinge (the one with roller stops to hold the door open) is wobbly with wear.

The forum thread that talked about this said that to replace the hinge, I have to take the dash out...or did I misunderstand?

The thread said something about replacing a bushing. Is this something I could get at Advance Auto parts, etc? My usual mechanic told me, over the phone, that the door has to be "aligned" and I couldn't do it myself.

I'm pretty handy, but if its a real hassle, I'd take it in to be done. I'd like to get it done as cheap as I can, and avoid replacing things I don't need to.

I'm a little unsure about my mechanic and am wondering about switching anyway.

[dablow]

same problem with my 92 explorer? any ideas? any advice would be much appreciated!

[bmckay]

And same problem here.......almost, mine sags more

[musialman]

I was once told that the dash had to be moved to access the studs. Baloney!
Loosen the top and lower hinges where they are fastened to the body. 1/2 inch or 13mm short socket. Then take a long punch or a 12 inch half inch extension bar and hammer down on the assembly just front of the bolt(s). Eventually you should be able to align the door well enough to get it to close evenly with the striker. (You can move the striker fore and aft and up and down by loosening it with suitable torx socket).
It worked for me! Good luck.

[jpweav]

Had the same sagging problem with my '93 Explorer and was able to buy an after market bushing and pin kit from Advance Auto Parts (Pep Boys also sells them). It was the lower set that was the major problem, but I replaced both while at it. Support the door on jack stands or similar support. I had a buddy hold the door while the hinges were removed. As I recall, I had to cut the old pins with my 4 1/2" angle grinder - take care to protect the seats etc. from flying sparks. Unbolt the two hinge parts, take to a bench vise and pound out the old parts with a punch. Insert new bushing and pin and rebolt hinge to door and frame. Take care to align the hinges in the exact same place they were removed from (look for the marks in the paint). I found the procedure on the internet, but can't remember where - try a "Google search". Good Luck!

[jpweav]

Sorry! Second thought is that the frame side of the hings stays in place and after the door side is removed and the bushing is replace at the vice, rebolt the door half to the door, then place the pin through both sides. This is because you cannot remove the frame side without removing the dash!!

[boid]

Unbolting the hinge is not necessary on a '94 model. Just cut the Pin tops off and hammer out with a punch. Remove old bushing and replace. I found when buying the new hinge pins, my parts store didnt carry them for my explorer, I had to buy them for a ford f-150, which fit fine.