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This is my 3rd 3/4 ton Chevy van. I buy a new one every 5 or 6 years. Never had that problem before on the other ones. They've cheaped out on something in there.

I've replaced the door hinges on a 99 with stainless steel pins.

Brakes and side doors have been constant problems, but at least they are not major problems.

Those GM bastards won't admit their hinge design is faulty though.

Originally posted by jultzya

Originally posted by condenseddave
I think he's referring to what we call city locks.

With today’s automotive metal thinness...

What stops someone from hitting that thing what a sludge and ripping the bolts out of the metal?

Yeah I know, it would be noisy.

They're installed with 1/2" bolts and fender washers.

Yeah, it could be done, but it'd be easier to go after the whole damn door with a cordless recipsaw.

It slows them down, makes it hard enough to pass on your vehicle.

Originally posted by condenseddave
I think he's referring to what we call city locks.

With today’s automotive metal thinness...

What stops someone from hitting that thing what a sludge and ripping the bolts out of the metal?

Yeah I know, it would be noisy.

I never had a problem with Savana doors, but the pre-'95 Vanduras ALWAYS had hinge problems.

I think he's referring to what we call city locks.

Two pieces, one on each door, then a bigass padlock that goes OVER them, and locks without exposing the hasp or shackle to boltcutters.

Clickit rightcheer.

Originally posted by The Penguin
I just grabed what I could grab and pulled the panels poped rigth off
no door problems just put on big ass deadbolt locks to prevent breakins

You put deadbolt locks on a van? You must post a picture of that sometime

I just grabed what I could grab and pulled the panels poped rigth off
no door problems just put on big ass deadbolt locks to prevent breakins

CHEVY VAN

Originally posted by jultzya

Originally posted by midhvac
What kind of tool do they use to get those door panels off without breaking those round plastic thingys?

Many different styles and they sure do wonders...

Try here, here, or here.

I like the pry bar style.

Cool! Thanks!

Originally posted by midhvac
What kind of tool do they use to get those door panels off without breaking those round plastic thingys?

Many different styles and they sure do wonders...

Try here, here, or here.

I like the pry bar style.

I've seen many problems with the hinges binding up. The last van I drove got so bad I quit using the side doors until they replaced the hinges.... Talk about an ass chewing when the office got the bill for the new hinges!

They drilled a hole in the middle part of the hinge and put a zerk in there. Hit it every month or so with half a pump and it worked great. I gotta pound out the pins in the van I'm driving now and do the same before they break.

We have a fleet of Ford with up to 275K miles and all the doors work and the front door panels are not held on with zip screws. All motors factory! The mirrors dont shake either. Also the drivers seat has not fallen apart although they are ripped up a little.

Also how about the intake leaks and power steering leaks on GM.


Just my take on the GM truck

This being said the Gm does ride better!

Originally posted by Diceman
You ain't peeing in it are you??

Wull, I was gonna, but I couldn't get the dang door panel off, so I wet myself!!

We

have 9 newer Chevy vans from 2000-2005 (all 3500 series). Almost everyones linkages are broken on their side and rear doors. We don't even tell the garage guy anymore because he is sick of hearing it. These vans have got great engines and drivetrains, but the rest is second rate.

What kind of tool do they use to get those door panels off without breaking those round plastic thingys?

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door panel tool, like a small wonder bar with a bigger notch.

Ours have been nothing but trouble. Had a body shop drill some tiny holes in them to lube them. We'll see if that does any good on the latest troublemaker.

Originally posted by gruvn
I have that problem on my Ford, though it seems to be limited to just the back doors, I have to lub the hell out of them and then it leaves streaks running down the body panels, looks like crap.

The dealers tried that on mine the first time, but it didn't help. It was something inside the doors binding.

What kind of tool do they use to get those door panels off without breaking those round plastic thingys?

Never had that problem with any GM vehicle.
Ya could hit the hinges with that spray grease every so often though.