If your car, truck or SUV’s door is sagging and won’t close properly, there is a way you can test it, prevent, and fix it. Car doors that have problems aligning into place with the rest of the car or doors that loosen and don’t fit have a problem with the hinges. Learn how to fix a sagging car door yourself and realign your door with tips in this article and video.
Why Is My Car or Truck Door Sagging or Not Lining Up with the Vehicle and Closing Properly?
If the door on your car, truck, or SUV is sagging and not lining up with the rest of the vehicle, there is a problem with the door hinges’ pins and bushings. Car doors should line up into place and fit with the rest of the vehicle. If the door is sagging or misaligned, the hinges need to be fixed as soon as possible.
How to Prevent a Car Door from Sagging or Misaligning
To prevent a car door from sagging or misaligning, regularly coat the hinges with rust penetrant. This will remove debris, allow the parts to operate smoothly, and extend their life.
What Will Happen If I Decide Not to Fix the Sagging or Misaligned Door on My Car?
Driving with a sagging or misaligned door is not safe, and the door can pop open when you’re driving. If you decide not to fix the sagging or misaligned car door, you can experience symptoms like:
- Water leaking into the cabin
- Air gaps
- Sagging door
- Door that does not align or fit with the rest of the vehicle
- Door popping open while driving
How to Test a Misaligned or Sagging Car Door
Grab the edge of the door and lift it. Look at the hinges. The hinges should not misplace, move or loosen. The door should be secured to the hinges and open and shut freely without play or loose parts.
How to Fix a Misaligned or Sagging Car Door
You will have to remove the hinges and bushings from the car door and replace them with new ones. This will align the door and secure it to the vehicle so that it fits properly and doesn’t fall down.
Read more on how to fix a car door hinges and bushings
How to Fix a Sagging Car Door on a 2000 to 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo
- Remove the Door
– Open the door
– Peel back the door wiring boot
– Hold up and support the door with a jack
– Remove one 13mm bolt from each hinge
– Loosen the remaining bolts until they are only in a couple threads
– Get an assistant to hold the door
– Remove the remaining bolts
– Disconnect the door electrical connector - Remove the Hinges from the Door
– Pull the hinge back with a ratchet handle
– Remove the two 13mm bolts from each hinge
– Pull off the hinges - Remove Old Pins from the Hinges
– Clamp the hinge in a vise
– Carefully remove the spring from the hinge with a flat blade screwdriver
– Make a dent in the pin with a hammer and punch
– Drill into the pin
– Remove the pin head with a hammer and chisel
– Push out the pin with a hammer and punch
– Take the two parts of the hinge apart
– Remove the hinge pin bushings
– Repeat these steps for the hinge on the other side
– Repeat these steps to remove the pin from the opposing hinge - Install New Pins to the Hinges
– Clamp the hinge in a vise
– Put the hinge pin bushing into place
– Tap the bushing in with a hammer
– Grease the bushing
– Push the two parts of the hinge together
– Push the pins into the hinge
– Place a socket onto the pin
– Push the pin in with the socket and vise
– Put the nuts onto the hinge pins
– Repeat these steps for hinge on the other side
– Repeat these steps to remove the pin from the other hinge
– Tighten the hinge nuts
– Back off the hinge nuts one quarter turn
– Secure the hinge in the vise
– Use pliers and put the spring into the hinge - Reinstall the Hinges to the Door
– Start the 13mm bolts into the hinges
– Put the hinges into place
– Tighten the hinge bolts
– Pry the hinges open with a ratchet handle - Reinstall the Door
– Get an assistant to hold the door
– Support the door up with a jack
– Connect the door electrical connector
– Push the door into place
– Insert the two 13mm bolts into each hinge
– Place the wiring boot into position
– Test the hinges by closing and opening the door
More How-to Videos
Learn how to do DIY repairs on your car. We have thousands of videos that cover diagnostics and repairs on hundreds of models with instructions and tips from professional mechanics.
More Automotive Tips
- Automatic Door Not Working?
- When to Use 4 Wheel Drive? 4WD Drive Explained
- Window Regulator Repair Tips
- What Are Fog Lights?
- How Does a Car Radiator Work? What Does It Do?
Shop Parts and Tools
- Brakes & Wheel Bearing
- Steering & Suspension
- Headlights & Lighting
- Drivetrain
- Heating & Cooling
- Fuel & Emissions
