I have a 2002 Dodge Ram. The driver side door works perfectly, but whenever someone closes the passenger door, you have to slam it hard as hell to close it all the way. Otherwise, it doesn't close, and you have to push on it to become flush with the car. I wasn't sure if I could do something easily to fix it just b/c it is becoming a pain riding down the highway when it's not fully flush with the sound of air coming in.

9/30/2006 2:16:04 PM

What kind of shape are your hinge pins in? If you have worn hinge pin bushings, the door latch may not hit the striker bolt/plate dead center, and the door will take a lot of effort to completely close...you're also raising the weight of the door up that extra 1/4" when you go to close it. So it takes a lot more effort.

9/30/2006 3:18:29 PM

yep, hinge pin[s] are shot. try cracking the window next time you and a passenger get in. should make it easier to shut the door.

9/30/2006 4:38:26 PM

thanks guys

9/30/2006 4:49:58 PM

get a hinge pin kit, and check the alignment on the striker, open the door and try to lift under the back corner, if the door is loose then the hingepins are worn, if that is fine then look at the striker bolt, if it is shiny on the top or the bottom, loosen it slightl and move it wawy from where it was hitting, if it isnt closing all the way, then move it out slightly so the door latches fully and is flush with the panels outside

9/30/2006 5:05:45 PM

I figured out the problem. I hadn't cleaned my hinges in like 3 years, so there was about 3 years of dirt, pollen, and grease/grime that had built up and was slowing down/stopping the door from shutting easily. Thanks for the help

9/30/2006 6:25:26 PM