How To Replace the 2001 Silverado Door Hinge Pin

The designation Silverado was first introduced in 1930 and remains unchanged today. The designation Silverado is reserved for the top-of-the line Chevy trucks from an appointment standpoint such as body trim and interior options. Hinge pins on a 2001 Silverado are the pivot points for the doors. The brass bushings are the major contributor in hinge wear. When they wear down, the rear of the door with the door latch tends to sag to the point that the door latch will not line up with the door striker. In order to close the door, it must be lifted to get the latch to engage the striker. Replace the pins and bushings to fix this problem.

Instructions

1

Open the door all the way and place the floor jack under the center of the door. Cover the lifting surface with a doubled-over cloth to protect the truck's paint. Raise the floor jack enough to support the door. Run the window down to make it easier to handle.

2

Remove the spring in the door detent by placing the screwdriver inside the spring and prying it out of the arm. Remove the spring clips from the ends of the door pins using a screwdriver to pry up on the clips.

3

Break the door pins loose, but do not remove them yet. Use a drift and hammer to tap the top pin downward until it begins to drop down with very little pressure. Loosen the lower pin by hitting it from the bottom forcing it upward. At this point, have a helper hold the door from pin removal to re-installation of the door.

4

Tap the pins out of the hinges with a hammer. Pull the door away from the hinges just enough to access the bushings. Remove the bushings using the screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver under the head of the bushing and pry up. If they become too difficult to remove, tap the screwdriver with a hammer to coax them out.

5

Install the new bushings beginning with the top hinge. There are two different bushings for each hinge. The bushing with the largest inside dimension gets installed under the head of the center pin and the smaller one on the bottom. Always install the bushings on the vehicle body side of the hinge. Install the small diameter bushing into the top of the upper hinge. Tap the bushings lightly, if necessary, to get them to seat. Install the large diameter into the lower part of the top hinge ensuring it goes in the bottom side of the upper hinge.

6

Install the bushings in the lower hinge the same way. The pin in the lower hinge installs from the top, so the large diameter bushing installs on the top of the hinge. The lower bushing installs from the bottom side of the hinge.

7

Pull the door in toward the body hinge and align the upper and lower holes. Insert the center pin in the top of the lower hinges and tap it down all the way. Install the top center pin into the hinge from the bottom up. Tap the pin up all the way, until the head of the pin is flush with the hinge.

8

Place the snap ring on the ends of each of the center pins and push them down with the screwdriver until seated in their grooves. Compress the detent spring with the adjustable pliers and wrap mechanics lock wire around the spring on two opposing sides. Twist the ends of the wire to keep it tight. Release the pressure on the pliers -- if the wire is tight, the spring will stay compressed. This is the easiest way to install this spring. In its expanded state, it is a real workout trying to pry it on the rod. Install the spring and hold it in place with the pliers while you cut the wire with the wire cutters and let it expand into place. Lower the floor jack.