door hinge repair question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
door hinge repair question
i've developed some play in my drivers side door hinge. what is the process to rebuild the hinge? on my father's GTO he had to remove the fender to do it and I am hoping that is not the case here 
any suggestions? thanks, Dave
any suggestions? thanks, Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
If the hinge itself has not been fubar-ed, then a set of pins and bushings
will make them new again.
Trouble with our top hinge is that the pin head just barely
hits the edge of the front fender (when replacing).
However, there is an easy cure for that.
When removing, cut the center of the pin and push the top
and bottom in their respective directions. Replace the bushings
that sit in the hinge. Before putting the upper pin back in
from the top, grind off one side of the head. This gives enough
clearance to insert straight down.
Be careful to have someone or something support the door
while doing this. I have used a floor jack with a thick piece
of foam between the door and jack.
I'm sure you'll get other good tips, too. It has been noted that
inserting the pin from the bottom of the hinge will cause the pin
to fall out in some cases - over time.
Good Luck
will make them new again.
Trouble with our top hinge is that the pin head just barely
hits the edge of the front fender (when replacing).
However, there is an easy cure for that.
When removing, cut the center of the pin and push the top
and bottom in their respective directions. Replace the bushings
that sit in the hinge. Before putting the upper pin back in
from the top, grind off one side of the head. This gives enough
clearance to insert straight down.
Be careful to have someone or something support the door
while doing this. I have used a floor jack with a thick piece
of foam between the door and jack.
I'm sure you'll get other good tips, too. It has been noted that
inserting the pin from the bottom of the hinge will cause the pin
to fall out in some cases - over time.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
thanks for the tips. 
I think it is just bushings. the hinge looks to be in solid form as best as I can tell. it was fine until today when I had the door open a couple hours(wasnt in a hurry) changing out the inner door handle mechanism. I think between that and putting a little pressure on the door while it was open when I was tightening everything back down again might of finally fatigued it.
from the back of the door I can pull up on it maybe 1/3"....enough so that the door rubs the sill at the midway point of closing it.
I think it is just bushings. the hinge looks to be in solid form as best as I can tell. it was fine until today when I had the door open a couple hours(wasnt in a hurry) changing out the inner door handle mechanism. I think between that and putting a little pressure on the door while it was open when I was tightening everything back down again might of finally fatigued it.
from the back of the door I can pull up on it maybe 1/3"....enough so that the door rubs the sill at the midway point of closing it.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by NHvette
If the hinge itself has not been fubar-ed, then a set of pins and bushings
will make them new again.
Trouble with our top hinge is that the pin head just barely
hits the edge of the front fender (when replacing).
However, there is an easy cure for that.
When removing, cut the center of the pin and push the top
and bottom in their respective directions. Replace the bushings
that sit in the hinge. Before putting the upper pin back in
from the top, grind off one side of the head. This gives enough
clearance to insert straight down.
Be careful to have someone or something support the door
while doing this. I have used a floor jack with a thick piece
of foam between the door and jack.
I'm sure you'll get other good tips, too. It has been noted that
inserting the pin from the bottom of the hinge will cause the pin
to fall out in some cases - over time.
Good Luck
will make them new again.
Trouble with our top hinge is that the pin head just barely
hits the edge of the front fender (when replacing).
However, there is an easy cure for that.
When removing, cut the center of the pin and push the top
and bottom in their respective directions. Replace the bushings
that sit in the hinge. Before putting the upper pin back in
from the top, grind off one side of the head. This gives enough
clearance to insert straight down.
Be careful to have someone or something support the door
while doing this. I have used a floor jack with a thick piece
of foam between the door and jack.
I'm sure you'll get other good tips, too. It has been noted that
inserting the pin from the bottom of the hinge will cause the pin
to fall out in some cases - over time.
Good Luck
We definitely need to have a 'Tip Of The Month' section on this board--I'm gonna tackle this project Saturday morning--I've had the pics and bushings for a year now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
I did this on both doors of my 68 coupe.
Replace the pins and the bushings and it should solve your problem if as NHVette says, the hinge itself isn't messed up.
When you look down on the hinge pin from the top, the head looks round like a carriage bolt head. (circle) The trick is to slightly lift the hinge pin (you may have to gently tap it up 1/2 inch or so) and grind one side of the head that looks like a circle so that it looks like the letter "D" instead. Then slowly tap the pin up so that the flat side you just ground passes by the lip of the fender. I put tape on my fender just to protect the paint. Do the same with the new pin (grind it into a "D") when you push it in. That and the new bushings should cure your problem. Be sure to support the door with a jack and some soft towels or foam on the lower edge of the door so that it doesn't drop. Let us know how you make out.
Remember to do both pins on each door (ONE AT A TIME) but you only have to grind the head of the TOP pin, the bottom one is not a problem.
Kurt
Replace the pins and the bushings and it should solve your problem if as NHVette says, the hinge itself isn't messed up.
When you look down on the hinge pin from the top, the head looks round like a carriage bolt head. (circle) The trick is to slightly lift the hinge pin (you may have to gently tap it up 1/2 inch or so) and grind one side of the head that looks like a circle so that it looks like the letter "D" instead. Then slowly tap the pin up so that the flat side you just ground passes by the lip of the fender. I put tape on my fender just to protect the paint. Do the same with the new pin (grind it into a "D") when you push it in. That and the new bushings should cure your problem. Be sure to support the door with a jack and some soft towels or foam on the lower edge of the door so that it doesn't drop. Let us know how you make out.
Remember to do both pins on each door (ONE AT A TIME) but you only have to grind the head of the TOP pin, the bottom one is not a problem.
Kurt
Last edited by ksbunting; Oct 4, 2005 at 09:10 PM.
