Make your doors close like a Mercedes in 60 seconds

[stanski]

Remove the door seals!

If this doesn't help you can start looking at hinges, striker bushings, strikers, etc. But if they suddenly close like a dream, then how can this be fixed?

-new door seals may be softer and more pliable- usually makes it worse as the re-pop seals appear to be fatter and never seem to "wear in" as anticipated

-Honda Civic or Dodge Dakota seals- haven't tried this yet

-Carving away some of the seal at the hinge pillar where the binding usually occurs-might help but will likely look like dog sh$t

-adjust the hinges so the doors stick out - there's a great idea

-Punch holes in the hollow bulb portion to let air escape- anyone try this?

-Maybe your doors were previously adjusted to eliminate wind noise- Back in the day when these trucks were new, customers often complained about wind noise at the top and windshield pillar and GM would bend the top of the door inward and advise the customer the wind noise is gone but the door will need a good slam now- I guess if that's the area of if resistance you need to bend the window frames back to where they belong

-Just learn to accept you are driving a Chevy square body and your insurance is a lot less than a Mercedes

[SunSoaked]

Umm...ok

[RotaryRocketeer]

Or, you know, fix them.......properly.

[TKCR]

I don't know if I would do all that, I did replace the all the door rubber and cab seal. But the main reason why the doors are hard to close, is because the bushing is no longer on the striker. Replace this and the doors WILL close like they used to when they where new.

[stanski]

I've already replaced the striker bushings, and the strikers, and the hinge pins, but my problem is the door seals. They create resistance and you have to slam the doors to overcome that resistance. Even with the striker removed you still have to push the doors with considerable force before they fit flush.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by stanski

I've already replaced the striker bushings, and the strikers, and the hinge pins, but my problem is the door seals. They create resistance and you have to slam the doors to overcome that resistance. Even with the striker removed you still have to push the doors with considerable force before they fit flush.

If they are new seals, then you'll have to leave your doors shut for awhile. They will press down, to were they are creating that resistance. That's what I did with mine. Also, open your vent windows or crack your window. Close your door now and see if that helps.

[Troy Sr]

Buy a Mercedes, these are old trucks and are supposed to be noisy!!!

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by TKCR

I don't know if I would do all that, I did replace the all the door rubber and cab seal. But the main reason why the doors are hard to close, is because the bushing is no longer on the striker. Replace this and the doors WILL close like they used to when they where new.

There are folks using PEX tube in place of that bushing.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by hatzie

There are folks using PEX tube in place of that bushing.

Yep,, I have seen that

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by Troy Sr

Buy a Mercedes, these are old trucks and are supposed to be noisy!!!

Amen

[85/Silverado]

I have to slam mine so hard,, because it's to air tight.

[Man With A Gun]

I used a 3/4" long piece of 1/2" PEX on both my 86 and my 77.

They close like new now. Took about 5 min for each door.

[85/Silverado]

Originally Posted by Man With A Gun

I used a 3/4" long piece of 1/2" PEX on both my 86 and my 77.

They close like new now. Took about 5 min for each door.

Someone have a photo of what your talking about?
Thanks

[lowbucktrucks]

pex worked on my 77

[mongocanfly]

here ya go 85/s....https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_eRtSdw-A

[jkk]

Replace the strikers

[RotaryRocketeer]

Cracking a window helps mine close really nice and smooth. Hard to believe a 42 year old non restored truck can still be that airtight.

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by jkk

Replace the strikers

I agree, the PEX might be a temporary fix but, it looks kinda like a trailer park repair (sorry for the reference, I am from Florida). I foresee that PEX finding its way to spinning around and jamming up in the door. Likely at the worst time possible. Just replace the strikers and you are good.

[GMDad]

Couldn't believe the difference it made with new strikers and bushings. Much better and close so easy

[Keith Seymore]

They didn't close that great even when new, because (in addition to all the stuff mentioned above: seals, hinges, strikers, etc) there is not a lot of mass in the door itself.

You can't generate enough momentum to just swing it and walk away. You will probably always have to press firmly until it is fully closed (I usually leave my hand on the outside door handle and ride it all the way closed).

K

[tucsonjwt]

Precision brand door seals are preferred by body shops. Don't buy any door seals or any other rubber or felts from Ebay or Amazon - that was my mistake.