The 2-way tailgate on my 95 Roadmaster opens fine, tailgate style but sags when opening door style. I'm told it can be adjusted at the 3 studs on the top hinge. (See photo) Have any of you done this? What's the procedure? Thanks.
Sounds like you may have a hinge pin problem???? hopefully someone can help you out with your dilemma.
If the door sags when open, it is a hinge problem not an adjustment problem. Adjustment cures gap problems or panel alignment problems bit does not cure sagging when open.
Dorman sells a pin and bushing kit to service both hinges. P/N 703264. They do not specify if those are for the barn door hinges or tailgate hinges or if it fits both. My guess is the latter.
Never been able to figure the Dorman hinge pin thing out either. For that matter, I've posted this question in different places and, in typical Internet fashion, gotten any answer I want. Some say hinge pins, some point to those 3 studs on the upper hinge and the list goes on. I've never seen a post, video or anything specifically addressing this type of tailgate configuration. Which, in my experience indicates the "good, fast, cheap" scenario- pick any 2 but never all 3. Looks like I'm off to a reputable body shop. Someone who gets paid to be right. Let you know what they say. Meanwhile, I'm off to see about a 2nd mortgage! I appreciate everyone's replies!
My bet is the hinge pin kit will cure it too. Adjustments can't account for slop in the clearances of the hinge pins. For what it's worth.
Being the connoisseur of several heavy door cars, I'm pretty confident it is worn hinge pins/bushings. Have you asked on gmlongroof forum or impalass.com? There used to be a lot of good B-Body wagon guys on impalass.com, but that was probably 20 years ago now. Might still be tech articles or posts, but you would have to search for them. I find it hard to believe you are the first person to have this issue and have to believe somebody has documented it somewhere.
My guess too. I've never seen Dorman instructions. I've seen videos on hinge pins on regular car doors. My own experience is with hood hinges. Replacing them outright. Let me tell you, the devil's in the details- not bolt off, bolt on job. Takes abit of finesse to get things lined up. Any surviving hinges for the old long roofs are going to be as bad or worse usually. So I'm hoping it's the pins- you can get those!
I think if you can find a tutorial on replacing regular door hinge pins it should be very similar. The biggest issue will likely be access to the hinges to work on them. I couldn't find a post less than 20 years old that still had working pictures, but here is the process shown on a Thunderbird door hinge.
Another question to ask in your diagnosis is if you can lift the end of the tailgate up when it is fully opened. You can almost always feel play in the hinge pin(s). This would maybe set your mind at ease over whether you have worn hinge pins and bushings or just a misadjusted hinge.
Roger that on the tailgate can be lifted. Body shop boys said hinge pins- can fix at a reasonable cost too. Guess I won't require that 2nd mortgage after all. Thanks for your help!
