Cavalier Door Pins

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Mike - 03 Apr 2006 20:56 GMT

Has anyone changed the drivers door pins on a 2000 cavalier? Bought the
Service manual and it seems that you have no choice but to buy the hinges at
$200 a pair. The pins are riveted on from what I can see. Looks like a
grinder and some patience in a tight area might do.
If anyone has any experience on this please feel free to post
Thanks
Mike

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HLS@nospam.nix - 03 Apr 2006 23:08 GMT

> Has anyone changed the drivers door pins on a 2000 cavalier? Bought the
> Service manual and it seems that you have no choice but to buy the hinges at
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Thanks
> Mike

Nope, haven't tried it and don't know..

I tried to replace the pins in a Sonoma of about the same vintage. The
hinges
are spot welded to the frame in that POS. You can pull the pins BUT there
is
a spring involved that looks like it could cause you a lot of grief.

I ended up taking it to a bodyshop, where they replaced the pin on one door
for $35. (I provided the pin.)

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Michael Keefe - 04 Apr 2006 14:58 GMT

On 4/3/06 3:56 PM, in article 36fYf.218468$B94.44367@pd7tw3no, "Mike"
<needem1@shaw.ca> spewed forth this gibberish...

> Has anyone changed the drivers door pins on a 2000 cavalier? Bought the
> Service manual and it seems that you have no choice but to buy the hinges at
> $200 a pair. The pins are riveted on from what I can see. Looks like a
> grinder and some patience in a tight area might do.
> If anyone has any experience on this please feel free to post

Having done this once on an old Celebrity I'd say it's definitely worth the
money to have someone who knows how do it for you. The door spring is a
major pain to get back in (getting it out is just a matter of finding it
after it springs out). Not sure if the setup is still the same but a big
hammer and punch takes the pins out.

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Mike Marlow - 04 Apr 2006 18:16 GMT

> On 4/3/06 3:56 PM, in article 36fYf.218468$B94.44367@pd7tw3no, "Mike"
> <needem1@shaw.ca> spewed forth this gibberish...
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> after it springs out). Not sure if the setup is still the same but a big
> hammer and punch takes the pins out.

I'll have to look at my daughter's 2000 Sunfire when she gets home from work
later tonight - haven't looked to see what the hinge pins on it look like
before. Previous pins I've removed just had a friction lock on the top of
the pin. You pull it off and drive the pin out with a hammer and punch.
Like Mike said - the spring is a pain, but if you compress it in a regular
bench vise and tie it compressed with a coat hanger or the likes, you can
pry it into place with a bit of swearing and grunting. Simply cut the coat
hanger after it's in place.

Signature

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net

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Mike - 05 Apr 2006 16:43 GMT

Thanks for the input
Mike

>> On 4/3/06 3:56 PM, in article 36fYf.218468$B94.44367@pd7tw3no, "Mike"
>> <needem1@shaw.ca> spewed forth this gibberish...
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> coat
> hanger after it's in place.

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