Replacing upper door hinge

I was getting a noise when I close my driver door. The bushing in the top hinge is bad. I bought a new Toyota hinge, had it painted and I'm ready to install it. Would it be easier to remove the door or fender? The body shop said door but it looks like the bolts behind the fender will be difficult to access. I'll be looking closer at it tomorrow.

 

Wait, did you try lithium grease?

 

This first before freaking and remounting a door.

 

Grease wont help. The plastic bushing is coming out from the hinge.

 

The hardest part is going to be loosening and tightening the front 2 hinge bolts to adjust the hinge while the door is on. I've done door hinges on other vehicles, but not on a Taco. I just looked at mine and there's that rubber flap that hides the front bolt. It looks like it might be a real pain. You might ask the body shop how much they would charge to do it. They do this all day long and can probably do in an hour what would take you 3 hours. If they quote less than $100, it might be worth it to just have them do it. It might be easier than it looks, but I kinda doubt it.

 

I'm might do it tomorrow. It will be easier to pull the fender out a little so I can access the front hinge bolts. It would also help in aligning the door because the door will still be secured with the lower hinge and the door latch.

 

Wasn't able to do it. Took a ride to New Jersey to pick up a used tailgate (Craigslist) that was in real good condition.
Put the old tailgate in the bed and strapped it down. Installed the new tailgate (so it wouldn't get damaged and drove home).
Now I have to see if I can sell my old one.

 

If you can reach... use a scriber to outline/trace the exact position of the existing hinge and bolts. A sharpie will work but it's not as precise. That will give a really good indication as to where to mount the new hinge. Also using long handle flex head ratcheting wrenches will make the job easier . Good luck. It can be done without taking the fender off. Use a jack stand or a chair to hold the door in place so it doesn't sag when removing the hinge.

 

Thanks for the tip. Can't really work on the truck during the week (no access to a garage) but on Saturday I can use a bay at work.

 

I'm a body tech. I do this sort of thing to put food on the table lol. Just remember that when if you need to adjust the door up or down , to stand back and take a minute to understand how moving a hinge one way will affect movement in other areas of the door.

 

If the hinge has been wearing out for a while it may be necessary to adjust the striker a little bit to compensate for the door latch resting on it while closing. Usually a light smack with a ball peen hammer does the trick nicely.

 

I bought it like this so I don't know how long the hinge has been bad. Had the hinge painted for free at a body shop (know the owner). He'll be fixing the very minor damage to my bedside before it starts to rust.