Gas cap lid question
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southeast WI
Gas cap lid question
Is the hinged lid for the gas cap supposed to be spring-loaded? The lid on my car is not, and it doesn't stay open when I'm refueling. Not a major problem, just an annoyance, but I wanted to know if there's something simple to fix it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
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From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Re: Gas cap lid question (Tele_Man)
Welcome to the 70's where everything was simple and groovy!
The lid on a 68,69,70 does not have a spring.
The way that the lid stays up is by the interference (binding) of the hinge pin in the hinge. The way you fix it is to unscrew the lid from the car (4 screws - stubby philips head screwdriver). Then you should see the pivot in the hinge. Rest the one end of the hinge(ie one end of hinge pin) on a vice or large block of heavy imovable metal. You need to get a punch (bigger diameter then the hinge pin) and lightly tap the the other end of the pin to create an interference fit. How much you beat it and how many times is up to you. I did two light taps and it created enough drag to keep the lid up really nice. Bottom line - tap the pin lightly first and then build up in case you break it.
You could also get the lid of a 72 or later and install it. They have a half-moon shaped spring which latches into the later lids. You cannot install that spring into our year lid. ( I tried :-( )
No more floppy lids!
[Modified by stingry, 1:03 PM 4/2/2004]
The lid on a 68,69,70 does not have a spring.
The way that the lid stays up is by the interference (binding) of the hinge pin in the hinge. The way you fix it is to unscrew the lid from the car (4 screws - stubby philips head screwdriver). Then you should see the pivot in the hinge. Rest the one end of the hinge(ie one end of hinge pin) on a vice or large block of heavy imovable metal. You need to get a punch (bigger diameter then the hinge pin) and lightly tap the the other end of the pin to create an interference fit. How much you beat it and how many times is up to you. I did two light taps and it created enough drag to keep the lid up really nice. Bottom line - tap the pin lightly first and then build up in case you break it.
You could also get the lid of a 72 or later and install it. They have a half-moon shaped spring which latches into the later lids. You cannot install that spring into our year lid. ( I tried :-( )
No more floppy lids!
[Modified by stingry, 1:03 PM 4/2/2004]
