little things that are driving me c

[bowtie6872]

hello all.
my c-10(71) nice truck but somethings are driving me nuts..
the doors close great but the bolt nearest the hinge pin is hitting the hinge so it closes but to work the door lock you need to push in the door at the handle...looks like the bolt heads are to tall and hit the hinge as closing and put pressure on hinge(if you hold the door handle button in the door springs open an inch or so)70-71 doors are different than 72 can that be the problem or are there short boltheads that are used for the hinges...
2) the linkage for trans shift changes is loose .. the linkage rod that goes to the collum is missing something.... is there a bushing at this point??
3) they make drop lower a arms/or spindles/ or springs...
I know that droping it with springs in the front will eat tires...
but for a nice ride do I go with the spindles or the drop a arms..
rear is easy spring change...
thanks for any help on these little faults it has ...
hope to have the bigblock it for the hotrod power tour...we'll see.

 

[scholman]

RE: little things that are driving

Hinges that I have worked on, have either flat headed phillip screws or shorter headed bolts. Take the bolt out that is causing you the trouble and grind the head flat until the door shuts like it was made to do.

If I were going to lower my truck I would do it with the spindles. Then have the truck aligned. The ride will be good and tire wear will be normal.

Yes, there is a bushing that goes in the hole on the linkage. GM dealer has them. Because I have a lathe, I can make my own. I know I am waisting my time because these parts are so cheap to buy but I show my students that all parts can made.

Good Luck
Scholman

 

[bowtie6872]

RE: little things that are driving

thank you schoolman
the bolts for the hinges I thought where shorter than reg.bolt heads but as this trucks where built in the years that I was a newborn never worked on 1 till now..
the front spindles are what I was leaning to ,as they would(i think)keep the fac. geom. and there for no crazy stuff like bumpstreer would rear it's ugly head...
As for the bushing for the shift linkage ...thats great that g.m. may still stock it but 1 question?? when I go into the parts dep.. what do I call the part?? is there a name for it other that a bushing that goes in the linkage??!!
I ask because the parts guys at dealers are not like they where.. if they can't see it on the computer screen then they're lost...
a book whats that...most never open a parts"book"
again thanks for your help...
mark

 

[tech1]

RE: little things that are driving

shift linkage bushing

 

[72cheyenne]

RE: little things that are driving

Hello fellas,

Shift linkage bushing.

I have lowered many of this style of truck. My current 72 cheyenne is lowered with cut springs and reworked lower A arms. After doing an alignment it drives fine. Another one I did last week I used custom tubular lower control arms, worked fine too. I only use the drop spindles if the customer requests it and I am adding disc brakes. I have never had trouble with bumpsteer as long as the front end was in good shape. Things like bad tierod ends, bad idler arms and loose steering boxes can cause bumpsteer. The engineers designed these trucks to perform without fail in all positions of the suspension. If they had not then they would have been liable for selling/making unsafe vehicles.
They spend millions of dollars in research and developement to achieve the best possible function for the least amount of $ to the customer. Still true today.
However as from the begining of the automobile, hot rodders have been making them better to suit their desires.

My point is just because it is stock or modified the end result is wether or not, you the owner, is satisfied.
The choice is yours, just enjoy your truck.

GOOD THINGS,

BRANT.