Door hinge question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 769
Likes: 95
From: Central Pennsylvania
Door hinge question
The drivers door on my newly purchased '85 cpe wants to close on it's own when on a slight incline. Is there a particular part in the hinge that is worn? Would it be in the upper or lower? Used the forum search function but didn't see a relevant answer. Thanks in advance.
THINK SPRING !!!!!!!!!!
THINK SPRING !!!!!!!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,389
Likes: 2,741
The drivers door on my newly purchased '85 cpe wants to close on it's own when on a slight incline. Is there a particular part in the hinge that is worn? Would it be in the upper or lower? Used the forum search function but didn't see a relevant answer. Thanks in advance.
THINK SPRING !!!!!!!!!!
THINK SPRING !!!!!!!!!!
The "spring" is quite obvious!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
The drivers door on my newly purchased '85 cpe wants to close on it's own when on a slight incline. Is there a particular part in the hinge that is worn? Would it be in the upper or lower? Used the forum search function but didn't see a relevant answer. Thanks in advance.
THINK SPRING !!!!!!!!!!
THINK SPRING !!!!!!!!!!
on most GM vehicles I've owned. 1995 Vette and 1986 & 1993 Z28.
Doors seem to want to close on their own on any slight incline. Have gotten my leg caught a few times.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
The detent is in the upper hinge - if it interests you both upper hinges are identical. You can look at the right side and see the detent mechanism and how it operates and what is maybe lacking on the drivers side. You can use eBay for an image that you can "zoom" for further inspection.
The "spring" is quite obvious!
The "spring" is quite obvious!
The spring is what usally give out they are cake walk to replace about 10 min at most. If the detent bar is gone it is a little more involved. And yes the door should hold at just about any incline
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,389
Likes: 2,741
I don't believe you're very well acquainted with the Corvette C4 upper door hinge. The "spring" isn't a piece of cake. The detent is actually created by two "notched rollers" on the hinge half and when the door is opened the detent rollers rotate to a position somewhat surrounding the detent spring creating the detent. If the spring is there I'd think one or maybe both of the "notched rollers" are missing or damaged.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,385
Likes: 534
Not sure if this will help but I went through this about a month ago and did all four hinges:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...his-a-try.html
Visually check your bushings for free play or spin when you open the door. They are supposed to stay planted. Virtually all of mine spun in the bore with the old pin and bushings. Once I replaced them with a new pin and snug bushings, the doors opened and closed like brand new. Also, check to see if your hinges with springs installed are located up top. My old Vette had a few repaints, and I think whoever did it took off the doors and installed the hinges with springs on the bottom, making for a loose door that closed on its own on the slightest incline.
I didn't even know until a few months ago researching hinge repair. I noticed all the pictures of C4s with hoods open had the springed hinges on top.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...his-a-try.html
Visually check your bushings for free play or spin when you open the door. They are supposed to stay planted. Virtually all of mine spun in the bore with the old pin and bushings. Once I replaced them with a new pin and snug bushings, the doors opened and closed like brand new. Also, check to see if your hinges with springs installed are located up top. My old Vette had a few repaints, and I think whoever did it took off the doors and installed the hinges with springs on the bottom, making for a loose door that closed on its own on the slightest incline.
I didn't even know until a few months ago researching hinge repair. I noticed all the pictures of C4s with hoods open had the springed hinges on top.
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: co
Not sure if this will help but I went through this about a month ago and did all four hinges:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...his-a-try.html
Visually check your bushings for free play or spin when you open the door. They are supposed to stay planted. Virtually all of mine spun in the bore with the old pin and bushings. Once I replaced them with a new pin and snug bushings, the doors opened and closed like brand new. Also, check to see if your hinges with springs installed are located up top. My old Vette had a few repaints, and I think whoever did it took off the doors and installed the hinges with springs on the bottom, making for a loose door that closed on its own on the slightest incline.
I didn't even know until a few months ago researching hinge repair. I noticed all the pictures of C4s with hoods open had the springed hinges on top.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...his-a-try.html
Visually check your bushings for free play or spin when you open the door. They are supposed to stay planted. Virtually all of mine spun in the bore with the old pin and bushings. Once I replaced them with a new pin and snug bushings, the doors opened and closed like brand new. Also, check to see if your hinges with springs installed are located up top. My old Vette had a few repaints, and I think whoever did it took off the doors and installed the hinges with springs on the bottom, making for a loose door that closed on its own on the slightest incline.
I didn't even know until a few months ago researching hinge repair. I noticed all the pictures of C4s with hoods open had the springed hinges on top.
the bushing on mine were worn along with the pins. D S door had to lifted to even shut.
changing the bushings and pins in both doors helped the problem you see, and closing-opening- fitment problems on mine.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 769
Likes: 95
From: Central Pennsylvania
Well the outside temps got above 20 degrees, Went out and checked both doors and discovered the drivers door hinge spring is no longer an "S" but more like a "J". The two rollers that the spring is supposed to ride against are "present and accounted for" Should be a fairly easy fix.
Thanks for the replies.
Thanks for the replies.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 769
Likes: 95
From: Central Pennsylvania
I checked a few of the popular suppliers and they show the same part for 84-96. Big problem is shipping. Average shipping is 8 bucks for a 15-20 dollar part. May wait until I need a few more bits and then take advantage of a free shipping offer. Probably won't buy the 11 dollar tool, I'll improvise.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I checked a few of the popular suppliers and they show the same part for 84-96. Big problem is shipping. Average shipping is 8 bucks for a 15-20 dollar part. May wait until I need a few more bits and then take advantage of a free shipping offer. Probably won't buy the 11 dollar tool, I'll improvise.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,385
Likes: 534
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
DUB