Door lock pillar replacement

[BAFRAID]

I asked in another forum about this but wanted some back up from you guys. I have some rusted areas in my driver side door lock pillar. I have the replacement piece. Wondering if I should patch the old one or just replace the entire thing? I’ve already replaced full quarters, trunk floor and extensions and the tail panel. I’m confident doing it however I do know if those pieces are not put back in perfect it can mess up a lot.

 

[hemihotrodca]

Your into that far I would replace it, hang the door so you have a reference for the gaps

 

[MoparDanMan]

Looking at where the rust holes are and what you have already removed I think it will be easier to just replace it. If you removed the door, put it back and get it all adjusted before you cut out the old lock pillar post. Don't forget the extra piece of metal behind it.

 

[BAFRAID]

Looking at where the rust holes are and what you have already removed I think it will be easier to just replace it. If you removed the door, put it back and get it all adjusted before you cut out the old lock pillar post. Don't forget the extra piece of metal behind it.

Thank you for the advice. I ended up cutting the old one out. I did leave the inner lower support piece in place. It was in good shape and it kept the stability of that inner panel.

 

[Mopardude86]

I just finished this exact thing on my car 2 days ago. I only replaced the section that was rotted and it was at the bottom.
Did you happen to brace the inner part of the quarter panel behind the pillar?
I didn't on mine and the quarter relaxed inward about 1-2 inches, so I had to take a TON of measurements to get it right.
I used a bottle jack and a piece of wood to push it back where it belonged before I installed the new lower section.

 

[Mopardude86]

 

[eldubb440]

what you probably can't see

 

[Mopardude86]

what you probably can't see

View attachment 925556

Yep, probably

 

[beebest]

Thank you for the advice. I ended up cutting the old one out. I did leave the inner lower support piece in place. It was in good shape and it kept the stability of that inner panel.

I will be doing this same replacement hopefully this coming weekend. I do have already installed new quarter before deciding that I should have replaced lock pillar. Did you get new pillar installed yet and anything I should be aware of before I cut the old one out? Thanks in advance.

 

[BAFRAID]

I will be doing this same replacement hopefully this coming weekend. I do have already installed new quarter before deciding that I should have replaced lock pillar. Did you get new pillar installed yet and anything I should be aware of before I cut the old one out? Thanks in advance.

I did get it finished. What I did was drilled out and left in the lower inside support to hold the rear inner panel steady. It actually came out really nice. I replaced the front pillar today

 

[beebest]

Thanks, Ill figure on doing the same then. I plan on tackling mine first thing tomorrow. Nice work, looking good!