GM 10304605
Lower Hinge, Front Driver Side

Door realignment stays minimal when servicing door hinges as single units because body and door sides operate as a pair and repair each hinge individually before changing any malfunctions. The body-side door hinge contains three bolts where two measure 13 mm while the remaining one measures 10 mm. Never detach these bolts since the cone accessory attached to the hinge's back will drop to the A-Pillar base unless needed for construction. It starts by placing masking tape across three areas specifically between door and rear door and door and rocker panel. Cut the tape at the hole section with a utility knife or alternative tool after which the hinge attachment regions should get cleaned fully using a rag while marking the corresponding body attachment areas using a grease pencil or suitable marker for reference. The door support process requires you to start by taking off the body side hinge bolts from the hinge before moving to door side hinge bolts from the door and finally removing the entire assembly alongside the cone adjuster bolt installed on the hinge. The first step for installation requires attachment of the cone adjuster bolt to the hinge before tightening it to 10 Nm (89 lb in). Place the new hinge into the markings before securing the specified door side hinge bolts to the door through points 1 to 2 or points 3 to 4 and tightening them to 33 Nm (24 lb ft) according to installation procedure. Fasten the upper/lower body side hinge bolts onto the hinge before tightening them to 33 Nm (24 lb ft). The worker needs to remove both the door supports along with reference tape from the door and the rocker and quarter panel area. The front door needs a final inspection regarding its up and down movement and in and out movement as well as its fore and aft position with corrective actions if needed.

Hinges need servicing along with their body side and door side components so their repair must be done one at a time to avoid door alignment issues because both hinges should not be removed at once. Replace damaged hinges before servicing. The body side door hinge includes three attaching bolts where two measure 13 mm and one measures 10 mm but their removal is unnecessary because an assembly cone on the back hinge side might enter the A-Pillar. Use masking tape to cover two door gaps; one tape should be placed between the door and rocker panel while the second tape must be placed between the door and rear door or quarter panel. Inspect the area between tape with a utility knife before using a rag to prep the door and body hinge areas followed by pencil-marker selection of body mounting points. Begin by securing the door then unfasten the upper or lower body side hinge bolt from the hinge before taking out the upper or lower door side hinge bolt from the door. Finally, extract the hinge from both door and body as well as the cone adjuster bolt from the hinge. Place the cone adjuster bolt to the hinge first. Secure it to 10 N.m (89 lb in) then position the new hinge onto the marked locations. The door installation begins with bolt tightening of 33 N.m (24 lb ft) for each of the door side hinge bolts before completing the installation by tightening body side hinge bolts of 33 N.m (24 lb ft). After removing both supports and reference tapes from door and rocker and quarter panel the front door needs evaluation for necessary adjustments in the up-down and side-to-side and front-back positions.

Front door hinges receive service as interconnected units while operating as pairs that unite the products from the body side with the door side. The procedure to minimize door alignment problems requires treating door hinges individually and beginning with replacing broken hinges before addressing separate repairs. The body side door hinge features three attaching bolts of which two measure 13 mm and one is simply 10 mm and removing these bolts should be avoided as that will allow the cone attached to the back side of the hinge to drop into the A-Pillar. The assembly cone serves no function beyond production as technicians should keep it in place while maintaining or removing the door hinge strap. First cut two pieces of masking tape to fit between the door and rocker panel and rear door or quarter panel. Then use a utility knife to make cuts at the gap area. Use a rag to clean both the door hinge mounting surfaces and then mark the body surfaces with grease pencil. Support the door before taking out all bolts from between body and door (upper/lower side and door/upper/lower side) until you can reach the door hinge strap. Remove the hinge from the door and body after taking out the cone adjuster bolt which belongs to the hinge. Initially install the cone adjuster bolt to the hinge at 10 N.m (89 lb in). The new hinge installation begins by placing it at the marked body locations before torquing the first the door side hinge bolts to 33 N.m (24 lb ft) in order and then adding torque to the body side hinge bolts with the same value. Uninstall the door supports then peel off the reference tape before examining the door and making required changes for up and down and in and out and fore and aft positions.

Repair each hinge separately and replace any broken hinges first.