Replacing Door Hinge Pins and Bushings on a GMT400 Chevy

Door Hinge Pins are something that wear our regularly on an older chevy truck, so it was past time to replace em on my K2500 Suburban, as well as the bushings. This is on a 1999 K2500 Suburban, but these steps can be applied to nearly any GMT400 truck from 1988 to 2000, whether thats a single cab, crew cab, or extended cab that has worn door hinges and bushings. If your door sags when it opens, or it's hard to shut, chances are yours are worn out and need to be replaced. You can buy these at nearly any parts store in the country because its such a common problem.
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Chapters:
0:00 The Problem with Bushings
1:52 Disassembly
3:33 Installing New Parts
6:04 Door Back On
7:45 Wait a Minute...

[@LawrenceTolman]

Watch till the end guys! Looks like I might be doing this repair again before too long

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Common problem with GMT400 and older

[@joshuaschlichtmann6782]

Those dorman bushings are junk. They're not true bronze, at least not a machined part. Had the same issue when I tried replacing them on my S10. They're some sort of powdered material that's been formed under pressure. Sintering or metal injection molding or something, not sure, I'm no metallurgist. It's cheaper to manufacture them vs machining them from billet. Last I knew gm still sold them, unsure if the quality is any better, haven't bothered redoing it yet. If you do track down the guy making heavy duty ones, definitely update, I'd be in the market for some if they also fit S10s.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Your Assumption of no one Using CDs is absurd.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

@@joshuaschlichtmann6782 never had a problem with them

[@barneyross4393]

@@joshuaschlichtmann6782 You are 100% correct. The aftermarket bushings are garbage. Haven’t found anything yet that works.

[@Johnny-vu7db]

Pro tip: Since you have a garage, just swing a couple of ratchet straps over the rafters, looped through the trucks window frame. It will support the weight so the door doesn't have to come off and no messing with the wiring.

[@CarlosD360]

I have a garage as well, I’m going to attempt this next weekend. I know this may sound dumb to you lol but how much weight can the garage hold on the wood?

[@MattLudwick]

I like this editing style with no music and just the sound of working.

[@n0060]

Super true

[@Fony_turgeson]

Yes. I hate people who put annoying music every second of the video

[@uw7659]

Just incase these parts didn't hold up, CUNNINGHAM MACHINE makes some solid bushings and pins for these trucks, won't have to replace again. He also sells oversized bushings for if the holes on the hinges are too worn out, you can re-drill them and put the new over sized bushings in. Thanks for the great video

[@MOE13576]

Any problem drilling out the hole on the brackets for the bushings ?

[@hexxj.6218]

Cunningham Machine makes great door bushings got some for my obs Silverado.

[@cbr1thou]

Are they steel

[@johnnymo9518]

I have watched all of the videos for replacing the hinge pins and this is by far the best one.

[@bassist2065]

“Nobody uses CDs anymore.” *Slowly hides my CD binder behind the passenger seat. “No, you’re right. Nobody uses CDs anymore.”

[@LawrenceTolman]

I was never cool enough to have the big binder full of CD's...

[@dalehall2993]

@@LawrenceTolman I still have a cd binder!! its been retired for years!!😂

[@cardsin2005]

Flocking is the name of the fuzzy stuff in the dash pocket. Good video.

[@LawrenceTolman]

see? I learned something new today

[@coolHandLuke5150]

I use a cherry picker and strap though the window to support the door

[@larryr8492]

Thought the same

[@superduty4556]

This 100%

[@markabrams726]

Make sure the holes in the hinges are round. If they aren’t, you’ll keep replacing bushings until you replace the hinges.

[@fishpony1211]

You made this look so easy. I had to do the same on my truck and i nearly put a for sale sign on it!! Good thing im starting an LS swap this weekend. My patience will be tested.

[@kristoferfc6525]

dude I'm so glad you're doing content on this truck. I have a 96 k1500 and it's my daily so I'd love to go through it like you're doing. Found some inspiration from your channel thanks!

[@bdugle1]

LT, thanks for some really useful content, both success and failure. We bought an ‘01 Suburban new, drove it almost a quarter million miles till we sold it a few years ago. It’s still going strong at my brother-in-law’s a couple doors down. I’m going to check out those hinges! Nice drone shot at the end, too!

[@PetesPlaceGarage]

That's awesome LT! I have to do this exact same job on my OBS driver door, and this preview of what's involved will help a lot.

[@Flamehara]

I have one of these old trucks and your videos on it have been one of the most helpful resources I could have hoped for. Thank you for helping a new generation of car guys through the hoops!

[@LawrenceTolman]

Great to hear these were helpful!

[@jerryrounds8586]

Good job LT. Thanks for your time.

[@michaelvoigt724]

Hey all, yes the dorman pins are ok. I get the brass bushings from my Car Quest from behind the counter! I replaced these once, my body shop straightened up the sag and broke the dorman pot metal bushings right away. Once again ask your parts dealer to get the brass bushings from behind the counter! A must!

[@johnelliott7375]

Six minutes and my street continues for the LT truck show! I will be there in a year or less.

[@t.l.robinson2162]

Please continue your content. It's very informative.

[@johnelliott7375]

Got to meet the guy that got me going out building on my truck and cars. Bigger one and the car the most so far. Hopefully I will get to enjoy living the dream like He does fabricating and building what makes him happy. Keep it up bud. Great evening to you and enjoy. I will be looking for you in the next new video information is great and priceless to me as I move on.

[@Richard4616]

I worked in dealership 13 years. I have installed many hinge pins and bushings. The holes for bushings have to be perfectly round because the bushings are weak and fragile. They will not support the door in a out off round hole. The hinges are welded on a lot of cars, so l have welded the holes on the worn side and filed them round to fit the bushings. Lawrence did an excellent job installing the kit. Even with perfectly round holes I have seen them break. The bushings are the the weak link. Get real brass or bronze bushings if possible. Great presentation. 👍👍

[@stunnaflex]

You need a million views off this sir thank you so much very helpful

[@LawrenceTolman]

Glad it helped

[@bigredracer7848]

8👍's up LT thanks again for taking us all along with you

[@rodblaine2514]

Very helpful video, thanks for posting! I'm about to do this job on my 1997 C1500.

[@RHYNOMAN12]

I just got my replacement pins in the mail week ago! Perfect time for that like button!

[@thisoldhooptie]

Thanks for the tips! Mine aren't sagging yet put they pop due to the roller breaking like yours. You made it look simple. Parts will be here in a few days. Hope I do as well :)

[@liamjerkins7259]

Did this to a 1992 C1500 last year, work truck, base model without power windows or locks, went pretty easily. Took the door fully off like you did

[@slick1ton849]

Ive been needing to do this to my truck, thanks for the video!

[@felipeandresorellana1537]

Ive got 3 of those OBS chevys and if the heavy duty bushings kit really pans out the FB link would be a killer plug, watching the videos makes me miss the wasatch valley and makes me want to get wild on my suburban so thanks for that, ill be waiting on the next OBS vid.

[@torqueranch4396]

Thanks for putting this up. I need to do this on my extended cab.

[@LawrenceTolman]

Any time!

[@dougshrader7721]

Two comments 1. Do one hinge at a time. Set the jack, remove top pin and lower enough to separate and replace bushings. Jack back up, install top pinand remove bottom pin, lower enough to replace lower bushings. 2. Grease the pins and bushings before assembly. That bushing didn't fail because it was cheaply made, it failed because it had no lubrication.

[@jerryakamuadams6399]

what do you reccomend use to grease the pins and bushing? just general purpose grease? white lithium? silicone grease?

[@srtabc123]

I did this job on my camaro but didn’t have that fancy spring compressing tool so I compressed my spring in a vice and fed a couple zip ties through it to keep it compressed and held it in place with pliers while I cut the zip ties. Worked for me in a pinch.

[@LawrenceTolman]

never would've thought of that, but a great idea

[@11aggiefootball]

I miss this project. I have one just like it. 👍

[@MecanicaForte]

Dude always here for you. Nice truck

[@puzzleluvr]

I had the bushings and pins done on my driver's door on my 96. Got a pretty good kit from Amazon, I think the bushings are actually steel possibly. Either way, they're very heavy duty, and working quite well so far.

[@1987bodyman]

So I do collision repair for a living and I have had to do a lot of these pins and bushings. This is the best how-to video I have seen.

[@LawrenceTolman]

hey thanks a lot!

[@chalolmeza5615]

My dad has a gmc 1994 Sierra and it has the same problem on the same side l. Thank you LT really love your videos

[@LawrenceTolman]

Glad to help

[@user-fj3ld5ug7j]

Great video. I did the same to my 97 Sierra. Problem I had was the Doorman bushings were junk and just disintegrate with the door back on. Had to re do it but with bushings I got from the dealer which were much better quality.

[@staticobs2370]

Cool to see you in the fb groups

[@yourdaddy5630]

Good job 👍🏽 thanks for the vid nice truck. The fuzzy stuff is flocking

[@waltyoug9754]

Thank you for your honesty because I tried twice and those bushings keep breaking.

[@keithalbrecht4785]

LT, I've been in your shoes before, no one to help hang doors on my 86' K-10. Used a floor jack and just got it done! That suck about that bushing, hope the new ones work out better!!!

[@dalehall2993]

Check out Cunningham machine..they make steering shafts with a u joint(getting rid of the rag joint)and they also make heavy duty door bushings.

[@Kstang09]

I held off on commenting because I had a feeling on the bushings! haha. I feel your pain man.. GM parts only for those little buggers unfortunately. I got mine from a dealer, ditto for the barn doors out back but youre making a SuburbAlanche so no worries on those. Also, looking forward to the 0411 swap!

[@KevinxDoll]

i got that HD bushing kit from that dude and theyre badass. work so much better

[@DieselDave359]

Damn I love GMT800 hinges!

[@AllAmericanDreamChaser]

Excellent video! Thank you

[@LawrenceTolman]

Glad you liked it!

[@stevehargis1315]

I’ve replaced mine twice if few years Dormans didn’t last so I went on eBay ordered a full pin a steel bushing set for 10 bucks added a little brake caliper slide grease on them holding up great almost 2 years later

[@Thedriver96207]

6:18 I would have had to take advantage of having the door off to clean those hard to reach areas haha. The truck is Surprisingly clean for the age! Wish I could find one

[@LawrenceTolman]

I know, I should have

[@carlwhite8225]

LT, When You get your shop going I will send you a door lifter for your floor jack. Bought it when I was a Ford tech and has been sitting in my shop since I retired in 2015.

[@shanewilliams5846]

I had the same thing happen to me when I did the bushing on my Burb. I suspect mine was because the hole in the hinge the bushing presses into has actually been worn out to an oval shape. I’m going to spec out an oversized high load bronze bushing and ream out the holes when I do mine again.

[@russellg7382]

Before you pull that you may try to adjust the hinge so you don’t brake the new one adjusting it. I use a 2/4 on the jack and jack the door up a little.

[@thejues3919]

Gunna need to get my hands on a set or two of the heavy duty door bushings … mine have unalive themselves

[@TD-ue3bb]

Thank you! I have been thinking about getting those dorman hinge kits but not anymore!

[@LawrenceTolman]

yeah, def would not recommend

[@therealjpoe23]

Cunningham Machine is the way to go.

[@EricErnst]

I need to do this on my 1990 regular cab K2500. And my 1993 K2500.

[@pinaink9383]

I was just thinking about fixing that problem on both of my obs’s

[@gallegososcar71]

I heard my back break as I saw you lift that door on your own.

[@roadkillwi]

the big problem with those hinges is the hole can get egg shaped and if that happens you wont be able to keep bushings in it without fixing the hole first.

[@barnyardcustoms5105]

I need to do these on my truck ASAP

[@MrTaxiRob]

You can still get factory bushings from GM, they're about $4 each. Also, replace the striker when you're done so the door doesn't rattle in the closed position. Replacing the latch mechanism is a bit more involved, like a whole afternoon to replace just one and you have to take the guts out of the door. That's easier than it sounds, but it's time consuming.

[@ictcarguy3162]

SG82350 door adjusting tool will help you get the final adjustment dialed in.

[@vinosfinostapasandwinebar5109]

Very informative. Thanks. Too scared to do it but at least I understand what needs to be done. I will get an estimate from a. body shop. If it is crazy I might be tempted to do it myself .

[@timjmartin]

Not sure about back in the 90's, but today a GM parts guy will call them a door check. Granted today it's a one piece assembly without the big spring.

[@supersport1986]

I feel your pain on the bushings I have put 2 sets on my shop truck thought it was something I did wrong the first time when they failed so I got a second set and they are junk also mind you I have done a ton of these over the years I worked in a body shop when I was younger and we saw alot of these never had issues before but this blessed Chinese junk is just so nice to work with way better than the quality US made stuff 😡

[@OBSeSSedTeeV84]

Hello LT, I recommend you going to your GM Dealership for those door bushings believe me they are way better and stronger than the Dorman brand.

[@arbyarby3259]

Was hoping to watch ya change the striker and latch & show how to adjust door using proper alignment tool

[@bradellis3855]

Sherman Parts makes some I believe with steel bushings.

[@peterpeterson7784]

We have three suburbans at work. Two 1997 K1500's and one K2500 454. I have been replacing all the dome lights, map lights, door courtesy lights, footwell lights and glove compartment with LED and OMG they light up the inside. Also replaced all the radio and HVAC lights with standard bulbs. I do hope someday for fun you take apart your rear HVAC. I need to replace a blower motor in one of the suburbans and have found no video showing how it comes apart. Guessing it's just those few screws and some clips. We are lucky since all of our burbs have the center and overhead consoles. Have you looked into aftermarket headlights? I installed a set from O'Reillys and they seem pretty good. Thanks for your videos, I love them.

[@simentalg]

I was going to comment about those bushings busting on me but I figured I did something wrong I replaced them on my 77 c-20 and the next day the door was back to sagging again was so pissed at my self but glad it wasn’t something I did kinda

[@johnelliott7375]

That set up is slick and I forgotten about it. Ratchet by whom, close quarters that is.

[@jerryakamuadams6399]

ive seen it done without removing the door, just have it supported with some cinderblocks and a floor jack. though it is a lot more easier to work on with the door removed

[@docurent906]

Cunningham Machine is the way to go

[@jacobnicoletti1235]

Sucks that the bushing went bad. I feel like it could’ve been a quality control problem. It would be better if AC Delco manufactured an OE part to replace the pins and bushings. If you find that guy on Facebook, maybe upload an update video because I’d be glad to give that guy some business for some better quality parts. Thanks for the video, can’t wait for the console reveal!

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Dude the truck is 20+ years old.

[@jacobnicoletti1235]

@@shadowopsairman1583 I’m talking about the new bushing cracking. Did you watch the whole video?

[@CJ-yf8kz]

I still play CD's all the time!

[@rodblaine2514]

Would adding some grease inside the brass bushings where they slide against the pin increase their longevity?

[@steelervette]

I thought I was the only one 🤦🏾‍♂️I've replaced those on my 97 burban at least ten times.

[@kearyrhone8712]

I always use a engine hoist to hold the door up

[@darylc6669]

Excellent idea!

[@LawrenceTolman]

never would've thought of that. good idea

[@gentilejoshsaved1646]

Hello, Did you find any better parts? Thsnks

[@stellingbanjodude]

I think I’ve had to do this to everyone I’ve owned. When I look at one of these irs the first thing I check

[@clickbaitpatrol2375]

What a coincidence. I just bought the hinges for my truck and I needed to replace them

[@Todd_S]

I think I'll take my GMT 900 truck to a body shop to get that job done.

[@LetsEatChocolate]

What does the spring connect to or is it obvious? Preparing to do this job on my 95 Suburban. It's missing both springs on both front doors. I ordered new ones but hoping its easy to see where they go.

[@brianpardee1281]

Pro tip on these pins if you dont want to un wire the door use channel locks and sockets like a press and you can do it one handed and not knock your door off of the jack

[@hugieflhr03]

Engine hoist and a strap will help with the install. Those doors are heavy. Reminds me of the 70s Monte Carlo doors I used too wrestle with as a young man. I heard the squeak on that last close and I was wondering why you didn’t grease it up? That sucks that you had to do it again

[@juniormaiava8085]

any suggestions on how to fix a open gap in my door when closed ?

[@jeffjarquin5600]

Lol, I once went through 9 pin and bushing kits before I got one good set of bushing for a gmt400

[@glenhill2034]

OMG you just did with a hammer. LOL.

[@Roybwatchin]

4:18 When you're pressing in the top bushing on the burb, I noticed you pressed it in from the top, yet when you knocked out the original one, it was in from the bottom? I'm guessing it doesn't matter since you didn't mention any problems with it. Thanks for posting the video.

[@2hot2stopwow]

Like all your videos!! What brand spring compresser did you use?

[@LawrenceTolman]

just one they had on the shelf at O'Reilley's for $10. worked pretty slick though

[@kearyrhone8712]

Get the dealer ones there solid

[@Mr62biscayne]

I need to do this on my 94 Suburban. Post up the info on those custom bushings when you get them. Thanks for the video.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Rockauto. Look em up

[@Mr62biscayne]

He said it was someone on Facebook.

[@LawrenceTolman]

a guy named Jeremy Rodgers, and his site is called Cunningham Machine... www.cunninghammachine.com/product/chevrolet-truck-heavy-duty-door-bushings/?fbclid=IwAR1nugMGeBUan2IglUhRYNRITs1NDlOfzBqcRazLs-7rt0jKYvWlc5OXTkk

[@Mr62biscayne]

@@LawrenceTolman Thanks LT!

[@jameshall4385]

It sucks when cheaply made aftermarket parts don’t work. I’ve had things like that happen far too often.

[@justinhardin7318]

Felt…. Felt! I was trying to help you . Felt inside the oem cubbies

[@MOE13576]

I did this on my 91 but they still sag like no tomorrow. Im not sure if i should return the cunnigham ones(not install) and get the oversize ones

[@cybergrindin]

Did u ever get the new guys contact w the beefier kit?

[@redbovine]

If you door keeps knocking them out you need to get machined bushings and not cast ones. Cunningham Machine shop makes them. They are more expensive but well worth it.

[@mr.miyashiro]

Did you end up replacing the door striker???

[@trentmassey4335]

I feel do you on that purchase. I’d be frustrated too.!

[@justinbarker1993]

His name is Jeremy Templeton I think, the guy you are referring to on Facebook

[@teaguegearhart9851]

If we must change that bushing again... maybe just go with some Tesla x doors. Up up and away. Lol