Door hinge pin problem..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Door hinge pin problem..
When I took the doors of my '68, the pins were so freaking long that they were hitting the front clip and busting up the paint 
. When bubba 
put the pins in the last time the doors were off, he shaved the head a little to make for more clearance, but it doesn't help. When I ran into this on the first door, I went ahead and unbolted the whole hinge from the other side. I have the replacement pins and bushings ready to install. How in the hell do you get the pins back in without damaging the body? Do I go ahead and pull the other hinge, install the pin, bolt it to the jam and then hang the door?
Thanks!
SP
. When bubba put the pins in the last time the doors were off, he shaved the head a little to make for more clearance, but it doesn't help. When I ran into this on the first door, I went ahead and unbolted the whole hinge from the other side. I have the replacement pins and bushings ready to install. How in the hell do you get the pins back in without damaging the body? Do I go ahead and pull the other hinge, install the pin, bolt it to the jam and then hang the door?Thanks!
SP
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
I think I may not have been clear on my description of the problem. What I am talking about is when you drive the pin out of the hinge to take off the door or to just replace the bushing. The pins are so long that they hit the body before they come out of the hinge.
Make sense?
Make sense?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Aparantly the front clip is not aligned exactly where it should be because there is no way to avoid tearing up the fender when putting the pin back in with the hinge mounted to the jam. I'm sure it's going to be a major pain when trying to line to doors back up. Does anyone have a secret or good procedure to line them up easily? I did scrape the jam and inner door before I took them off.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 27
From: Florida
The best way I have found is to drill a small hole through the hinge into the backing plate and tap that for 1/4-20 threads. When reinstalling it can only be mounted in on position.
You will be left with a 1/4 inch hole in each hinge if tha is acceptable, not for the ncrs crowd, but foolproof.
You will be left with a 1/4 inch hole in each hinge if tha is acceptable, not for the ncrs crowd, but foolproof.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Heights MN
I had the same problem on my '69. The hinge pin shaved heads would not clear -Oh so close! Its just made (or put together) that way - so I had the doors removed. I knew I wouldn't be able to do it myself, so I took it to a shop. If you can get some help, mark around both hinges (on the door and the body) so you know where to replace it. If you have a floor jack (or two) put some padding on them and use them to hold the weight of the door while you remove it and a couple of sober friends are holding it upright. Roll it out, replace the bushings and pins then roll it right back and bolt in place.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Originally Posted by Easy Rider
I had the same problem on my '69. The hinge pin shaved heads would not clear -Oh so close! Its just made (or put together) that way - so I had the doors removed. I knew I wouldn't be able to do it myself, so I took it to a shop. If you can get some help, mark around both hinges (on the door and the body) so you know where to replace it. If you have a floor jack (or two) put some padding on them and use them to hold the weight of the door while you remove it and a couple of sober friends are holding it upright. Roll it out, replace the bushings and pins then roll it right back and bolt in place.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Evidently, on some cars, you can grind a flat on the head of the pin and snake it in. Not on my 69. You're doing exactly as I did. While you have the doors off, check out the hinges real good. They can crack or bend over the years. I added a spacer to the bar that keeps the door from hitting the hinge. Also found one that was cracked, and would have been a problem in the near future.
Originally Posted by sperkins
Thanks - that sounds like the best plan. I removed the doors already (by myself) using a floor jack and a roll around mechanics seat. I will definately need a hand putting them back on.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Originally Posted by noonie
The best way I have found is to drill a small hole through the hinge into the backing plate and tap that for 1/4-20 threads. When reinstalling it can only be mounted in on position.
You will be left with a 1/4 inch hole in each hinge if tha is acceptable, not for the ncrs crowd, but foolproof.
You will be left with a 1/4 inch hole in each hinge if tha is acceptable, not for the ncrs crowd, but foolproof.
Perk
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
So is it the Forum's concensus that the entire hinge assembly will have to be removed from the pillar to replace the pins? I haven't been able to find any "how to" info on the web.
