SDVette

Took the 61 to a BBQ party tonight. It was a big hit. However, when I went to close the driver side door, I hear a terrible crackle/grind.

I don't know the correct term to use.. but the plate that creates the "steps" where the door rests mid-way (between open and closed) broke. Now the fragment is blocking the door from closing.

Whats the prognosis here?

Fred

rich5962

Fred, That's one of the flat metal tension springs. It's hardened steel and riveted to the door hinge bar. There are 2 per bar.

You can use a long pry tool or big screwdriver to help bend it out of the way to get the door swinging again, but unfortunately to replace it both the door and the hinge needs to be removed.


If you have it apart you may consider replacing all 4 of them on both hinges. And maybe the hinge pins and bushings while you're in there.

Springs
http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...category/5414/

Hinge Pins
http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...category/5414/

Frankie the Fink

That sucks. A big job for such a small part - but, it might have broken because things were getting loose (e.g. hinge pins). Rich is right - best to bite the bullet and do the whole job. Just finished door hinges on my '63 and at least you're not dealing with a coupe but once done, you know everything is right for another 50 years...

SDVette

Good morning, and thanks guys. Yep, part of me knew the answer but I wanted to enjoy a few more hours of denile! !!
Not sure if it was related or not, but I parked on a hill, nose down.. The door may have swung open with more force than usual.
Well, there goes my plan of enjoying a summer wighout any major C1 projects!

Old Blazer

Every now and again I'll read a post that makes me run to the garage to check it out. This was one of those posts!

SDVette

I was able to grind off the spring enough so that it doesn't catch the hinge when closing the door.
I used a dremel and a cut-off wheel. Only took about 5 minutes.
The door is slightly 'sloppier' with only 3 springs working, but not bad.

I think I will save the door removal project for the winter...

Here are some photos to show the issue.

Normal spring (the other hinge):


Broken spring:


Ground-off spring:

Frankie the Fink

That'll get you by for a while. I always put a dob of white lithium grease on top of those springy parts just to keep things slickery there and perhaps prevent damage - can't hurt...

Roger Walling

Quote SDvette, "Well, there goes my plan of enjoying a summer without any major C1 projects"

Major project? Last Sept. I bought a driving 57 and rewired it, did a complete brake job, new axles and bearings and an engine replacement. knowing that I was going to do a frame off in Jan.

Get out your wrenches and enjoy part of the experience of an older car.

SDVette

You are preaching to the choir... I've done the entire brake system (including the lines), fuel tank and all those lines, cluster, gauges, interior, and a dozen others over the last 18 months. Just would like to increase my miles-per-project!!!

62Jeff

I came across this NOS part this morning while looking for parts for my Olds project
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1951-1962-Chevy-Corvette-Buick-Front-door-hold-open-hinge-spring-4156601-GM-/191168991810?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c828f5242&vxp=mtr

Roger Walling

SDVette,

Boy do I have to apologize to you about not wanting to remove your door hinges.

Yesterday was the day that the doors on my 57 had to come off for painting the jambs.
I have taken off hundreds of doors and have never ran into this problem.

After removing the hinge to door jam bolts, the door with the hinges would not come out of the hole in the jamb.

After balancing the door on one leg, I was able to remove the door from the hinges.

The hinges would still not come out of the hole. Close exam reveled that both of the hinge pins had slid up about 3/4", fortunately, they slid down fairly easily. Now I have to order new pins, hinge springs, and new nut cages for the jambs.

Of course, at this time I might as well remove the door striker plate. You don't want to know where the nut plate inside the jamb ended up or what it takes to find it.

All the time I keep thinking about your post!

I'm sorry.

SDVette

No appology needed Roger! We are all on the same team here.. trying to enjoy our old cars as much as posible!
I WOULD like some photos of your door removal project, though :-)

SDVette

Thanks for the link Jeff.. watching the auction now. -Fred