JHZR2
Staff member
My 96 Ram needed new hinge bushings. A few were coming out, and the door had a bit of play as a result.
One bushing needed a chisel to get out, most just fell out.
I used a partial kit from LMC Truck, a partial kit from the Dorman Help line, and reused one of the OE pins which had a tighter fit.
Two of the holes had either been drilled previously, or had worn oblong, because no bushing fit. I mixed up a bit of JB Weld to just help take up some of the play, it’s such a minor amount I’m not sure it makes a difference (door closes very nicely now), but figured tighter was better.
Pins were easy enough to get out. some bushings just fell out
The hinge spring was one of the things I was most concerned with. It turned out to be relatively easy to control, without much compression from this point. A nail set worked well to hold it in place for removal.
I bought a Steck 21910 (USA made) spring compressor for like $20. Didn’t need it to reinstall, but it made removal safer and easier.
A couple of the bushings in the kits I had were smooth. Two of the holes were slightly too big - I used a bit of JB Weld to help make up the tiny space difference. The rest I either drilled out the hinge bracket, or could tap into place.
Door has no up/down play now, and closes better, though that may be because we aligned it when bolting it on. The other door I got on easier. This one my wife and I had a hard time getting lined up right, and I did chip a bit of the paint on the door leading edge. The doors are big and heavy. Overall though not a hard job, taking off the door card is the worst part.
One bushing needed a chisel to get out, most just fell out.
I used a partial kit from LMC Truck, a partial kit from the Dorman Help line, and reused one of the OE pins which had a tighter fit.
Two of the holes had either been drilled previously, or had worn oblong, because no bushing fit. I mixed up a bit of JB Weld to just help take up some of the play, it’s such a minor amount I’m not sure it makes a difference (door closes very nicely now), but figured tighter was better.
Pins were easy enough to get out. some bushings just fell out
The hinge spring was one of the things I was most concerned with. It turned out to be relatively easy to control, without much compression from this point. A nail set worked well to hold it in place for removal.
I bought a Steck 21910 (USA made) spring compressor for like $20. Didn’t need it to reinstall, but it made removal safer and easier.
A couple of the bushings in the kits I had were smooth. Two of the holes were slightly too big - I used a bit of JB Weld to help make up the tiny space difference. The rest I either drilled out the hinge bracket, or could tap into place.
Door has no up/down play now, and closes better, though that may be because we aligned it when bolting it on. The other door I got on easier. This one my wife and I had a hard time getting lined up right, and I did chip a bit of the paint on the door leading edge. The doors are big and heavy. Overall though not a hard job, taking off the door card is the worst part.