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Door check fix/replacement (with poll)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by wsalopek, Aug 27, 2013.

  1. wsalopek

    wsalopek Junior Member

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    Hi folks,

    We recently bought a 2006 Prius...both front doors swing easily without being held by the door checks (back doors aren't much better).

    We just sold our 2006 Scion Xa, which had the exact same problem (it looks like the Xa and the Prius use the same door checks)...in that case, we had the door checks replaced under our extended warranty before the Scion reached 100k miles. (Our Prius is out of warranty.)

    Anyway, the door check problem seems to be widespread among many Toyota models...though curiously, searching around the web, and even this forum, doesn't return many results.

    So I thought I would start a new thread with a couple questions:

    1) Does anyone know of a kit or aftermarket part that would fix the problem that is cheaper than OEM? The cheapest I have seen the door checks is about $60...which seems pricey for this little part that was supposed to last forever (how hard is it to make a good door check?). Seems like an inventive person would do quite well making a cheaper refurb kit of some kind.

    2) Has anyone done the fix themselves? I understand the door panels have to come off...bummer. Is there a step-by-step posted somewhere? If not, when I do mine, I will takes lots of pics...maybe even a video with detailed instructions.

    I am actually going to swap out the 4, door speakers (we do not have JBL) in the near future so I am going to take that opportunity of having the door panels off to replace the door checks as well.

    --

    Bill
     
  2. jabusse

    jabusse New Member

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    Updated******
    1 Yes there is the doorman 924-137 (I think that is the number) that is called out for the Sienna. You need two 6,, x 1 nuts as the Dorman has studs not the threaded holes.. I checked all of my doors and the doorman for the sienna seems to work on both the fronts and rears. Left and right is easily done by simply rotating the unti when installing. I can't say it is perfect but it seems to be exactly the same length as the Prius one. The studs don't hit the door jam or window either, at least on my 04. And the door is positively held 1/2 way or all the way open on a 15% grade whereas the one called out for the prius fails on a 6% grade. THis may be the case of the heavier door design but I like it.. . Also this can be bought from any number of on line places for $45 and even for $10 from a junkyard. I know this is late but after 4 years of mine not working it was replace it or tear off the door. Replacing it took all of 20 minutes because the door panel had to be removed and replaced ( two screw job). The new model looks beefier and better designed. The original did not last 5 years. This one should last longer. There is no spring inside so there is really no way to fix it. I tried but could not find the thick rubberized plastic they use as the friction part. One of each sits on top of a block of hard rubber (one each positioned top and bottom of the slider) and squeezes the moving slider. Nifty design The case is spot welded together too so even getting to the squeezers it is a pain. You have to drill out the spot weld then rototool the remaining weld away. And the case cover is thin. Putting it back together would be another weld or JB weld. Anyhow the slider seems harder than the friction pads and the pads just wear out. It seems the design should never need grease either but should probably be kept clean so sand and dust grinders don't get in there and sand the pads away. I am surprised Toyota made these a wearable part to be replace totally as a unit. You would think they would let you replace the 25 cent friction pads, but they don't.
     
    #2 jabusse, Mar 11, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2015
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  3. patcoghm

    patcoghm Junior Member

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    I have the same problem, weak door check problem. It would appear its a universal problem and a mod to a better door check appears the only solution. Do you have any pictures to share as to the studs and door piller its attached to.
     
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  4. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Dorman part number seems to be wrong. Anybody have correct part number? Or know any other alternative part? Dealership wants 105e (115 dollars) a peace. Mine could use all 4 of them.
     
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  5. Gabor_hu

    Gabor_hu Junior Member

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    Anyone has experience with Hushan(Huhandle) manufactured prius door checks?
    It's quite cheap (10USD/pc.), but the question is if it is any better than a run down factory one?
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Could anyone comment: are door checks supposed to be lubed, or not. I believe I read somewhere you shouldn't, not sure. I've not lubed ours, so far ok.

    As mentioned above, lube might attract grit, and/or make them slide too easy??
     
  7. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Door hinges on any vehicle should be lubricated. If you don’t then they will eventually wear causing doors to sink a little which will make it harder for doors to close fully. That normally is noticed by doors only closing to “half latch” unless closing them fast.

    Door checks on a Prius should not be lubricated.
     
    #7 valde3, Nov 13, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2016
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  8. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Where can you find one of those for 10USD? If I can get one for that prize I will buy it and test.
     
    #8 valde3, Nov 13, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2016
  9. terramir

    terramir Member

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    I would buy one too! Where?
     
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I lube the hell out of the door hinges complete. Thats probably your issue in that they have been worn out. Lubed since birth they work perfectly on all my cars. Anything that moves in my cars gets CSP lubed. From the steering U joint, to the door & hood hinges and latch , the keyhole, , the throttle body spring and the entire suspension especially the a arms. And most of the electronic plugs. Fill 'em up with grease and put 'em back together. No rust anywhere on the car and no squeaks, creeks, or groans. I also spray Black Magic Conditioner on the 4 rubber cv joint boots in addition to all the rubber seals and trim.
    Boot cracks you lose a joint.

    Its a locomotive. It needs grease.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Nov 13, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2016
  11. Sfork

    Sfork Junior Member

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    Bumping this old post since it's # 1 on google search and #2 on the forum search.

    You can extend the life of your door checks if you're crafty enough, you need to use some kinda blunt hammer-able point. Like a nail finisher.


    Then a big hammer and maybe a vice grip to hold the door check, to make an indent on top and bottom of the door check. The goal is to dent the top without piercing all the way through. Inside the door check is just a block of rubber/plastic, I'm guessing it wears away Denting the top and bottom pushes more of the material towards the door check. Running a taxi fleet, took me a while to figure out this little hack. I'll post a picture of the next one I do.
     
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  12. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It seems to make a difference what they're lubed with. When I got my Gen 1, someone seemed to have smeared them with white lithium grease. They held the doors ok, but were unsightly. At one time when I was working on the door anyway, I cleaned all that off, and used some silicone brake caliper/dielectric grease instead. That looked better, but was way too slippery and the door wouldn't hold. I had to clean that off pretty thoroughly, and the third try was just the barest coating from an armor-all wipe. That kind of seemed to be the sweet spot.

    -Chap
     
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  13. alanh

    alanh Active Member

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    Just replaced the driver's side door check on my 2007. Rather than the stock Prius item, i tried the Dorman 924-147 which is intended for the Sienna and is considerably beefier. This is the one jabusse mentioned above. It's currently $46 on Amazon. It works great. I did get some nylon-insert nuts and flat washers at the local hardware store. The studs stick out, but not far enough to interfere with the door's operation.

    Once you've removed the door panel, there's a hole right next to the check which makes it easy to remove. Remove the two bolts holding the old check to the door, and the one holding it to the door frame (10mm socket). The one on the door frame has locking compound on it, so it will be stiff to remove.

    Slide in the new one and screw on the new nuts, and bolt the arm to the door frame. Put the door panel back on and you're done.

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. evaloper

    evaloper Junior Member

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    I spoke to Toyota about this and asked if there is a recall on that part, as there is one on the Sienna. So the answer is no. And the reason the answer is no, is because not enough Toyota Prius owners are contacting Toyota to complain about the problem. It's barely absurd, because I hear it from everybody, and my mechanic tells me it's a consistent problem with every Prius he works on. So the moral of the story is, call Toyota!! Tell them your issue, the more people who complain, the sooner the item gets addressed with a recall! It's absurd how much it costs to replace these!!
     
    #14 evaloper, Nov 22, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 23, 2017
  15. Petrodollar

    Petrodollar Member

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    I just bought a 2009 Prius with 74K miles and all 4 door checks are worn out. I checked at Dorman and they seem to have 2 door checks for the 2004-2010 Sienna. Both are listed as a direct OEM cross to the Toyota # 68620-AE011 Sienna Door Check Assembly, Front Left.

    924-147 - listed by alanh and jabusse - search for Dorman Products 924-147
    924-944 - search for Dorman Products 924-944

    I was going to buy the 924-147, but I want to find out if I should get the 924-944 instead. If I go through the Dorman selection system for a 2010 or 2004 Sienna, it shows only the 924-944.
    Does anyone know which is better to use in a 2009 Prius, the 924-147 or the 924-944?
     
  16. Petrodollar

    Petrodollar Member

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    Second part of question about door checks. Toyota lists a different number for the 2004-2010 Sienna Front Left and Front Right:

    F L = # 68620-AE011
    F R = # 68610-AE011

    But Dorman lists both of their parts for the Front Left. Has anyone used either Dorman part on the Front Right?

    I notice that the Dorman 924-147 looks just like the Toyota parts, but the 924-944 has a different body shape. The 924-147 is less expensive (924-147 = $43 Amazon vs 924-944 = $67 eBay), but I see other sellers with a part that looks like the 924-944 for $23 on eBay.

    Seller iamauto Item # 222427095815 Front Door Check Stop Strap for 2004 - 2010 Toyota Sienna Van Left & Right Side $22.97

    Has anyone tried the 924-944 copies on the front left or right doors?

    Lastly, will the Sienna door checks work on the Rear Left and Rear Right doors? If not, what will?
     
    #16 Petrodollar, Feb 13, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
  17. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    58-59 is the cheapest this Dorman part is anywhere now. But considering it works this is the best replacement.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  18. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Unfortunately that Dorman door check is pretty expensive.

    Cheapest that I could find that Dorman 924-147 is 51.75e and 15.53e for post. After the tax that would come to 83.43e (or 96.31 dollars).

    And if you tried to safe on post and order more than one at the time “Trump tax” would kick in and make them more expensive than the new ones from Toyota dealership!

    Part is probably made in China. Can anybody find a way to buy it directly from there?
     
    #18 valde3, Sep 10, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2018
  19. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Plenty available on Ebay for 59 and free shipping. The big box style one is the beefy one.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  20. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    I can’t find any that would offer free shipping from US to Europe. Normally only Chinese offer free shipping.