My lower body side hinge is shot. I was going to add a new bushing and pin but I cant remove the old pin. How do you remove the pin? Do I have to take the door off so I can use a hammer to punch it out? Should I replace the body side hinge insted of using a bushing?

Thanks

 

Hidden from view is a small circular clip (retainer) that prevents the LOWER hinge pin from coming out. Use a small screwdriver and pry the retainer apart and slide it down the pin. Then tap the pin out. If the door "hold open detent" roller is worn out or the new bushing fit too loosely in the hinge. Then replace it with a new GM body side hinge strap. If I remember correctly the new one will come with the bushings already installed.

A word of caution about doing this job. The spring in the lower door hinge assy is VERY powerful. It can and will hurt you. Place a rag or something over the spring. Then pry it out with a screwdriver or something. MAC tools has an inexpensive tool to reinstall this spring. I can't remember the part#, but it's listed on my website ( www.3rdgensolutions.com ) Along with ALL the GM part#'s and illustrations you might need to do this job. Also, with an '85 the upper hinge might be worn out too, so have someone lift the end of the door up and down to check if the upper hinge is worn out as well.

 

That little clip is gone. I already removed the spring. The pin is in there very tight. I dont have any room to "tap it out".

 

OK! Here is what I do to get the stubborn ones moving. I have a 1/4" extension about 12" long. I place a shop towel/rag in the bottom of the door jam to prevent and damage to the groung effects. Then I place the female end of the extension against the bottom of the pin and hammer away. Once the pin comes loose it tends to catch on the grove that the retainer was in. But with a little patince it will come out.

You will probably have to remove the lower bady side hinge strap to get the old bushings out. DO NOT hammer the new bushings in!

Thanx,ANDYZ28