2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Door tensioner squawk when opening or closing door.

[DBoyd]

The door tensioner on my 97 2500 driver's side door squawks to beat heck when opening or closing the door. I have oiled, greased, and cleaned it till heck won't have it but still get the noise.

Any suggestions??

Thanks

Don

 

[Joe Mc]

Might be a hinge pin going bad. With the door open, grab the lower edge of the door below the handle and lift up if there's more than 1/8" of movement get someone to lift the door for you as you look in the hinge area to see how bad things are. Most body shops and auto parts stores carry hinge pin kits that come with bronze bushings and a new pin. It's a PIA job cause you have to take the door off, remove the old pin dill out the existing (probably oblong due to wear) hole fit the bushing and pin then reinstall, align the door. A body shop can do this for you if you're not up to it but be prepared to pay whatever their rate is X number of hours + parts. . . .

 

[DBoyd]

I had suspicioned that too and checked it. All was well with the hinge pin. I can soak the wheel and detent cam in oil and it will quit squawking for a while but then it is back at it in a day or so. Aggravation.

Thanks for your reply and suggestion.

Don

 

[Curious Dave]

I'll have to check to see if I have any more... . But the RV repairs shops have a lube aerosol that comes out brown and foamy. It has teflon in it and I sprayed it once about 6 months ago. No noises since. I had previously tried wd-40, engine oil, slick 50 one-lube, and others. You may also check into a product called... . Energy Release. I used it a long time ago on some aluminum-carbon linkage. Works awesome.

 

[HookMeUp]

I use a product called Break Free CLP and works pretty well. Usually lasts 6 months.

Break-Free®

 

[Bob Cochran]

I think the RV stuff you are talking about is used for slide lubrication. I think you can get it at Wally World also.

I'll have to check to see if I have any more... . But the RV repairs shops have a lube aerosol that comes out brown and foamy. It has teflon in it and I sprayed it once about 6 months ago. No noises since. I had previously tried wd-40, engine oil, slick 50 one-lube, and others. You may also check into a product called... . Energy Release. I used it a long time ago on some aluminum-carbon linkage. Works awesome.

 

[PRohr]

LMC sells a hinge repair kit that doesn't require door removal.

 

[Curious Dave]

Yeah Bob... you are correct. The product is made by "Champions Choice Protect All". The label reads Heavy Duty Slide-Out Dry Lube Protectant. It also says Industrial Grade Rust Inhibitor. The base color is blue with a white lid and some of the wording is done in red letters inside yellow boxes. I think I got this can at Camping World.



Protect All - Product Catalog - Slide-Out Care



Here... I found a picture of it. I don't remember paying that much though.

 

[Curious Dave]

hmmmm... . I guess I lied... I just read the label and it does not have Teflon in it. At least none that I can find stated. But, the stuff works great.

 

[DonTX]

I have had the same problem with my doors. I am currently using my camper slide lube, nothing seems to work for very long though, and it is back to squawking again.

 

[DCreed]

I used some basic axle grease and a grease gun w/needle and got it IN the hinge, worked it a few times while injecting and has been silent since.

 

[DBoyd]

The noise is not so much from the hinge but from the detent mechanism that holds the door open. I have an old Cadillac farm car that has a similar mech. and I pull it out of the weeds, stuck a waterpump on it, and oiled the hinges and detents and haven't heard a peep out of anything since. And this has been a year ago running up and down the caliche roads with dust a rollin'.

Thank you all for the replies and I will try your remedies. I sure don't want this unit to crap out and have to be replaced.

 

[BDaugherty]

I had a similar problem with a squeaky detent on my dad's '97 1500 Ram. I tried several of the "over the counter" lubricants and none of them lasted for very long. My permanent solution was to remove the spring and detent linkage (aggravation) and clean it. I put it back with a small amount of dry film lubricant. It's been quiet for nearly a year now.