Doors hard to shut on 1991 Ranger

[Subarute]

Well the girlfreind says she doesnt like having to slam my doors, so does anyone know how to adjust them to shut easier?

 

[Ranger850]

Well the girlfreind says she doesnt like having to slam my doors, so does anyone know how to adjust them to shut easier?

without knowing more details, the first place I would start is at the door Hinge. Some models have a plastic shim that wears out over time, causing hard to shut doors, some requires a little "lift" when you shut them to actually close. Check that shim, and go from there. No real adjustment can be done to the doors, nor should be done. That plastic shim/bushing at the door hinge is the first point of failure for many Ranger and Mustang doors.

 

[Subarute]

without knowing more details, the first place I would start is at the door Hinge. Some models have a plastic shim that wears out over time, causing hard to shut doors, some requires a little "lift" when you shut them to actually close. Check that shim, and go from there. No real adjustment can be done to the doors, nor should be done. That plastic shim/bushing at the door hinge is the first point of failure for many Ranger and Mustang doors.

they don't have to be lifted to shut the door, they just wont shut all the way without being slammed. I'll check the shims on the hinges.

 

[Elutheros]

Actually, the striker plate where the door latches to the body can be adjusted by loosening the torx bolt and tapping it in towards the interior (or out away). I do this to stop the doors on my 30 year old truck from rattling. I also replaced the missing plastic bushing on the round pin of the door latch with a piece of plastic tubing and that also helped with rattles and the doors close easier. They will never be as easy to close as my late model Tacoma because they are light and ancient.

 

[Curious Hound]

You need a stronger girlfriend

 

[RonD]

+1 on adjusting the striker on the door frame not the door

But maybe there is another reason its hard to close, so check the gaskets around the door they should be pliable so door can get a good seal not hard so its hard to close

 

[sgtsandman]

Has the latches ever been lubed? Spraying some white lithium grease into the mechanism might be in order. Make sure you wipe off any residue that may accumulate on the striker after you are done. Most females really hate it when grease and stuff get on their clothing.

 

[Ranger850]

Actually, the striker plate where the door latches to the body can be adjusted by loosening the torx bolt and tapping it in towards the interior (or out away). I do this to stop the doors on my 30 year old truck from rattling. I also replaced the missing plastic bushing on the round pin of the door latch with a piece of plastic tubing and that also helped with rattles and the doors close easier. They will never be as easy to close as my late model Tacoma because they are light and ancient.

I know ppl have done this, but I didn't think FORD meant for adjustments to be made there, IMO this is a HACK not a fix. but to each their own I guess. I had the same problem with my mustang. I didn't HAVE to pick up on the door, if I slammed it hard enough, but picking up on the door made it easier to shut, without slamming the door.

 

[Curious Hound]

Has the latches ever been lubed? Spraying some white lithium grease into the mechanism might be in order. Make sure you wipe off any residue that may accumulate on the striker after you are done. Most females really hate it when grease and stuff get on their clothing.

One of my co-workers tells of his previous job where a maintenance employee who had a grudge against another guy lubricated (coated) the bottom of the guy’s passenger side door handle with anti-seize. You wanna talk about a pissed off wife?

 

[Subarute]

You need a stronger girlfriend

But i like this one

 

[RonD]

You need a stronger girlfriend

Just marry her and she will ALWAYS slam doors, problem solved

 

[Bgunner]

I have not heard of Rangers being prone to this but some other vehicles, example: mid to late 80's Jeep Cherokee's were notorious for this happening, the A pillar where the hinges were welded would weaken and crack around the hinge and allow the door to sag causing the need to lift the door or slam it. This would be quite obvious when looking at the hinge if the metal has stress cracks. If the door hinge bushings are going bad you can open the door and try lifting the door up and down feeling for play. This will tell you of the bushings are worn or the striker needs to be adjusted, giving there is no other obstruction like RonD or sgtsanman mentioned earlier.

 

[Josh B]

Open it for her

 

[Bgunner]

Open it for her

Don't you mean close it for her? Although the opening it would prob earn brownie points too.

 

[bobbywalter]

mine close great.....opening them not so easy.....