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Door wont seal. Question about door hinge

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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 12:34 PM
  #1  
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Default Door wont seal. Question about door hinge

Ever since I bought my Cherokee I haven't been able to get my divers side door to seal. It has a terrible air leak on the freeway, and it's extremely annoying. Also my door won't shut unless you slam it. How do I fix this? If i pull up on my door i can see that there is movement in the bottom hinge roll pin. I know Cherokees have problems with the hinge welds failing. I notice some cracks, so here are some pics. Do they need to be welded? How do I fix this problem? I would like to make some trips to Moab, and with this air leak driving on the freeway just isn't a good time.
Attached Thumbnails Door wont seal. Question about door hinge-image-1057583975.jpg   Door wont seal. Question about door hinge-image-3729900136.jpg   Door wont seal. Question about door hinge-image-714510054.jpg  
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 12:44 PM
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Here are some high res pics.
Attached Thumbnails Door wont seal. Question about door hinge-image-3812217433.jpg   Door wont seal. Question about door hinge-image-379293007.jpg   Door wont seal. Question about door hinge-image-1039376594.jpg  
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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 02:07 PM
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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 04:32 PM
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Those cracks do not look bad at all, that is just the seam sealer cracking. You can try adjusting the door by shimming the lower hinge between the door and hinge, and then adjust the striker on the door jamb. Another trick is to use a floor jack and lift the door up with it and kind of tweak the door back into adjustment. Just be careful when using this method that you don't over do it.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Bustedback
Those cracks do not look bad at all, that is just the seam sealer cracking. You can try adjusting the door by shimming the lower hinge between the door and hinge, and then adjust the striker on the door jamb. Another trick is to use a floor jack and lift the door up with it and kind of tweak the door back into adjustment. Just be careful when using this method that you don't over do it.
Thanks so much for the help. That's a huge relief. I'll try shimming the door. Quick question. I noticed there is some play in the lower roll pin... Would replacing the pin fix the problem? Thanks again
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 06:32 PM
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I would replace the pin before trying to shim it. If the pin is worn, then you won't be able to shim it correctly until the pin is replaced.

I bought a package of bronze sleeves and a couple new hinge pins for my Chevy at Autozone for about $5. Spent a couple hours and the door lines up just like new and opens and closes smoothly.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Grandpaswagon
I would replace the pin before trying to shim it. If the pin is worn, then you won't be able to shim it correctly until the pin is replaced.

I bought a package of bronze sleeves and a couple new hinge pins for my Chevy at Autozone for about $5. Spent a couple hours and the door lines up just like new and opens and closes smoothly.
Awesome, I will go find some new roll pins, and put them in! Having to slam the door is getting old, so is the air leak. Thanks again for the help.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 10:47 PM
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Do you have a picture from the outside or the inside showing the gap?

I have a similar problem and I had mixed results. It can be extremely difficult to align a door on these vehicles and sometimes your better not messing with them. But you may have some luck with the jack. I never gave that one any thought.
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