door seals

I'm ready to install seals on my oval's doors (currently doesn't have any). Am I correct to assume that the only way to do this is to pop the pin that I guess is the check rod? Am I also correct to assume that I should put a vice grip on each piece (rod from door & piece in door jam) so I don't have to go fishing for it later? Looking at it, that seems to be the only way to do it. Thanks. - DB