GM 15981547
Upper Hinge, Front Driver Side

The first step requires Door Hinge Spring Compressor (J 36604) to extract the door hinge spring by covering it with a towel for protection against accidents. Operation of the door hinge starts with removing the C-clips that maintain the door hinge roller pins and hold the door open. Soft-faced hammers paired with locking pliers should be used to remove vehicle door hinge roller pins before taking the door away from its position then disposing of the bushings. Installation begins by setting the new bushings inside their position then placing the door on its hinges before inserting door hinge roller pins while fastening them with C-clips. The Door Hinge Spring Compressor (J 36604) helps install the door hinge spring while multi-purpose lubricant Superlube (GM P/N 12346241) or similar product should be used to lubricate the hinge roller pins.

Begin replacing the front Door Hinge by taking out the door and water deflector as well as the speaker if present. Remove all excess body sealer from the hinges before separating the door hinges from their mounting positions on the body hinge pillar and Door Hinge pillar. Use the center punch to create center points on the original hinges before marking their positions on the door and body hinge pillar. The drill should create 3 mm (1/8 in) deep pilot holes into the welds before extending the drilling process into 13 mm (1/2 in) deep holes for welds. A chisel tool should be used to remove the hinge from both the door and body hinge pillar. The procedure requires separation of the instrument panel together with the fender bolt and body hinge pillar trim panel and park brake lever assembly and door opening Weather Strip. Flatten the surfaces where new hinges will be installed by file smoothing while removing any burrs. The hinge surfaces should be painted while medium-bodied sealer should be added between mating surfaces. Both new door hinges need installation on the Door Hinge pillar and body hinge pillar while maintaining their alignment with the initial scribe marks from the removal process. Secure the hinges by bolting them and attaching a tapped anchor plate for correct hole alignment. Proceed to install the fender bolt then instrument panel followed by body hinge pillar trim panel, parking brake lever assembly and door opening Weather Strip. Also add speaker rather than water deflector before securing the door.

Remove the instrument panel, fender bolt, body hinge pillar trim panel, parking brake pedal assembly, and door opening weatherstrip as necessary.

Drill pilot holes 3 mm (1/8 in) deep through the welds, ensuring to penetrate only the hinge base, followed by drilling holes 13 mm (1/2 in) deep through the welds.

Reinstall the door hinge spring using the Door Hinge Spring Compressor (J 36604) and lubricate the hinge roller pins with multi-purpose lubricant Superlube (GM P/N 12346241) or an equivalent product.