The front driver's side door of my 1998 3.2 TL makes noise (a slight "clunk") when I open & close the door. I put some axle grease on the moving parts, no change. The passenger side door operates smoothly and without noise. Has anyone ever had to do anything with their door hardware? I searched but found no posts on this subject.

 

This usually means the door lock mechanism is misaligned w/ door striker. When door hits the striker is must lift to engage. This creaetes a sliding resistance and requires the door to be slammed harder to latch correctly. You loose the nice solid "chunk" of a well aligned door.

You should check that the door hinge bushings are not worn. If you can lift the door more than perhaps 1/4-1/2" at outside, the bushings are worn and should be replaced. I had a Suburban w/ 200K miles that I could lift 1" or so. Bushings were way past worn out. New bushings brought back that "new car door feel".

The door hinges and striker are adjustable, but should not be used to "adjust out worn hinges".

A good body shop is probably your best bet. If you're DIY, then a shop manual is essential. I looked at this job for my Suburban and punted. Lifting and managing a heavy door requires some special tools and jigs.

good luck

 

Thanks Texas. It's in the hinges for sure. I'll check out the "slop" then I'll probably take it to the mechanic we normally work with. I was thinking the same thing, that to get to the hinges, lift the door etc etc is more than I can take on by myself...

 

my back doors have a little rubber gasket that deadens the click sound of lock as it engages the 'u' of the car.
i don't have them on the front, i am guessing they should be there.. so my front doors don't sound as nice as back doors..

maybe yours are missing as well?