Door hard to close - any ideas?

[tucsonjwt]

I just replaced the bushings and pins in the driver's door of my 83 C20. I previously replaced the rubber door seal and the striker bolt. The door has a nice even reveal all around the opening, the mid door line is even with the corresponding line on the box, the hinges were reinstalled in exactly the original position. The door is now snug with no drop/play vertically, but it still requires a good hard slam to get it to close completely.

The flaps behind the vent in the bottom of the door are clear, so I don't think it is a cabin pressure issue. However, when I leave the passenger door open the driver's door is easier to close - probably not perfect but much better than with the passenger door closed.
Does anyone else have this issue or have any ideas on how to fix it?

[HTX86chevy]

same prob w/ mine, however with the window down it shuts smoothly. try it.

[tucsonjwt]

Just tried with the window rolled down - same as you - closes much better. What gives? Is it a southwest USA thing? Must be some kind of cabin pressure thing, but why don't all squares do this?

[76stepsidechevy]

Mine does it too

[broey]

mine is the same way. Its gotta be air not being able to escape.

[tucsonjwt]

Is there a factory TSB on this issue?
Come to think of it, I never had this problem with my Michigan original 73 with rust in the cab corners.

[Your41Plague12]

Mine is difficult to close with the windows up or down, doesn't matter at all. You have to grab the door handle and act like you're punching something. The way I look at it is, it's an old truck. It could have much worse issues. I'd still like to fix it though because it bothers me

[lilpoindexter]

yep...mine wont close either with the new seals...you got to sneak up on it

[tucsonjwt]

Mine did start closing hard after I installed the new door seals. I did use Taiwanese aftermarket seals, so maybe OEM would be better?

[makman1297]

Mine was the same way after i put new seals in from clasic chevy. I decided the lube the door seals with some 2 stroke oil, nice and lighly rubbed the seals all around and then it was fairly easy to close.

[vegas80step]

i just got my truck and have to slam the door like it still my wallet...
I chalked it up to the door poppers... but looks like it may not be just that...

[njlimbaugh]

Sometimes, after putting in new seals, you have to readjust the striker pin. As the rubber breaks down, a lot of folks (me included) will move the pin in a little at a time to keep the door from rattling. The new rubber is thicker, so it has to be compressed more to catch the latch. Try moving the pin out a little.

[BULLITT '84]

slam it!!

[tucsonjwt]

So far I have tried moving the striker pin out, in, up, down, and it does not seem to make any difference - but what you say makes sense, so I will try the outward movement again. When I move the striker pin outward, then the door projects past the cab, which does not seem right to me. I think a lot has to do with the aftermarket door seal being poorly designed.

[Low84]

I had the same issue with my 84, very hard to close from the door handle. I figured out, it's A LOT easier to close the door from the window post (the one facing the back of the cab obviously) call me crazy, but it works!

[maskale]

same issue with mine, when its on the 'first latch' of the door, (hope that made sense) Its already pushing on the seals. When its completely closed the seals are really smashed.

So seal issue here also. They were replaced by previous owner, so dont know what brand they are. Hey, no air or water leaks at least.

[vtwinsport]

Originally Posted by njlimbaugh

Sometimes, after putting in new seals, you have to readjust the striker pin. As the rubber breaks down, a lot of folks (me included) will move the pin in a little at a time to keep the door from rattling. The new rubber is thicker, so it has to be compressed more to catch the latch. Try moving the pin out a little.

Yep, same issue for me and moving striker pins out resolved it. Now I have to change the door seals as rain will drip in the top of the door

[Dunenutt]

Try these! You wont be sorry...

http://www.soffseal.com/store/main.aspx

[vtwinsport]

thanks for the link.

[simonzelotes]

I know my bushing is bad on my driver's door, but I think the main culprit to having to slam the door is probably the door seal...Old F!@#ds had the same problem...Didn't matter who the supplier was,...if you installed new door seals, prepare to do some door slammin'....What sucks, is when you've been used to getting in and out of your truck like that, and then you go for a ride with a friend in his/her new truck or car and you practically bust all the windows slamming the door when you get in...I've angered a few of my friends yhat way...

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by BULLITT '84

slam it!!

lol mine close like butter maybe lube the lock mechanism an roller on the stryker as well as wait for new seal to take shape

[1LowToy]

Try this. Open the vents or put your AC on vent. Never really thought about it for mine cause I didn't think my truck was that air tight.

[oldschool18]

i put new seal on my truck over a year ago and the driver door shuts better now but pass door is still really hard to shut i think the new seals just need to break in

[tucsonjwt]

Lube anywhere and everywhere does not help my door. Adjustments of any kind don't help either. It must be the cheap Taiwanese seal is too thick and not flexible enough. If I ever get my truck put back together I might get some of those softseals.

[Dunenutt]

On my 69, I thought I was going to break the glass. Left them shut for 2 weeks, they did'nt soften up at all. Ripped them out and installed softseals, within a day they were closing like a new truck.