Lately I’ve been focusing on automotive projects simply because I really need to get my 1988 Suburban fixed up. There’s a lot of work to be done- most of it simple cleaning and electrical, with some basic parts replacements to fix some door and window problems. I’ll be posting the fixes as I go along. Lets start with the simplest, easiest fix I’ve run across in years.
Fixing Slamming Doors
The Suburban needs a number of things done to it, so you’re bound to seeing more posts about car stuff. One of the more annoying everyday issues I’ve been having to deal with has a surprisingly simple fix!
Closing the doors has been hard- they have to be slammed, otherwise they rattle partly open and have to be re-opened and slammed harder. This is not only annoying but a little bit embarrassing. I joined the gmsquarebody.com forum and one of the other members suggested a fix that worked wonderfully and cost me all of $3!
How to fix doors that have to be slammed
- Go to your local hardware store
- Buy 1/2″ PEX pipe for $2-3
- Hold the PEX up to your door striker, and mark the length of the striker shaft on the PEX with a pen.
- Cut the PEX to size using the any old saw you might have.
- Slot the PEX lengthwise so that it can open up and go over the striker
- Put it on the striker
- Be amazed as your car door closes with the slightest nudge
Here’s what the results looked like on my Suburban:
One piece of the PEX will do all four doors on a Suburban, and all your friends slamming GM doors too! You can find the original post with pictures here: http://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/fix-slamming-doors-striker-door-latch-repair.624/
Let me know how it goes in the comments below!
