5/16 drill bit to ream door pin bushings - Door is stiff!

[Farreem]

For those of you who used a 5/16 drill bit to ream door pin bushings was the opening / closing of the door stiff after installation?

I reamed the new bushings after installing them and I have to say it takes an extreme amount of force to open / close the door. The entire range of motion is smooth with no binding but requires much force. Pretty much to the point that I don't feel comfortable using the interior handle to close the door.

I'm hoping things will "wear" in but wanted to hear from others.

[theiceman]

never done this but i can tell you with my new door stays it was very stiff, did you replace those at the same time ?
the new door stays takes a few days/ weeks to feel better.

[Farreem]

Originally Posted by theiceman

never done this but i can tell you with my new door stays it was very stiff, did you replace those at the same time ?
the new door stays takes a few days/ weeks to feel better.

Door is extremely stiff with door stay not attached. No difference when attaching it.

[john walker's workshop]

An 8mm reamer would have been better.

[r lane]

The main problem I saw with that job was getting the bushings for the upper hinge to line up with the bushings in the lower hinge. They have to be on the same axis, or once bolted up, will bind. Bolt them to a flat steel plate and then like a 356 front suspension C link, ream them together. Going on the assumption that the a pillar is true. Bob

[Farreem]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

An 8mm reamer would have been better.

I agree but I used what I had in the garage. I would consider this repair to be very low risk of impacting overall vehicle performance so I made it work.

Mainly looking to understand if others experienced the same thing and if it eventually got better. Most likely will but just curious...

[utnick]

When using a reamer, the proper tool for the job, the doors are not overly stiff.

[Farreem]

Originally Posted by utnick

When using a reamer, the proper tool for the job, the doors are not overly stiff.

How stiff is it when using a reamer😜

[veewun rotate]

Shoulda listened to Mr Walker. Eight mm is .3149 inches. Five sixteenths of an inch nominal is .3125 inches and probably explains the stiffness. Get a reamer and do it right this time, you only have .0029 to screw around with.
Bill S

[veewun rotate]

Sorry, .0024 inches
Bill S