door hinge rebuild kit

[1BUICKTtype]

hello,

What is the best door hinge rebuild kit? I know you can get the Dorman and HELP! kits but they quality isn't that great. Any kits ya'll recommend? Thanks.

 

[TexasT]

rockauto sells whole hinges for probably less than the hassle of trying to get the things rebuilt

 

[robert duncan]

rockauto sells whole hinges for probably less than the hassle of trying to get the things rebuilt

Is it a hassle rebuilding them? I must admit I never tried. I just replaced a couple hinges on my GN, junkyard survivors I picked up years ago. I didn't even have to remove the door. Just supported it with a transmission jack -- has a groove in the foot long pedestal -- removed the original and replaced it. Made a world of difference with opening and closing the door.

 

[earlbrown]

It depends. The worst part is putting the spring back in without the special tool.

The bad part is you don't know what it takes until you get the hinge out. If the hole is worn oblong, you'll have to braze or weld it, then resize it for the pin bushing (or the pin).

I recommend hanging the door from a forklift or engine hoist over a jack. ESP if it's going to be long term due to an extremely worn hinge.


The fastest and easiest way is to have a new hinge assembly when you start, but that is more money.

 

[robert duncan]

It depends. The worst part is putting the spring back in without the special tool.

The bad part is you don't know what it takes until you get the hinge out. If the hole is worn oblong, you'll have to braze or weld it, then resize it for the pin bushing (or the pin).

I recommend hanging the door from a forklift or engine hoist over a jack. ESP if it's going to be long term due to an extremely worn hinge.


The fastest and easiest way is to have a new hinge assembly when you start, but that is more money.

Sounds like I don't ever want to replace the pins. I've read threads where socalled experts have said how easy it is to rebuild the hinges. Sure, new hinges cost more, but you're not going to run into a problem installing them. I find when I recommend saving money on something, then they act as though money is no object. Recommend the more expensive fix, then you get the money saver guy. You can't win, LOL!

 

[TexasT]

trust me, I'm as tight as anyone you know. I've done the rebuild with the pins n bushings on our suburban. This time I spring for all four hinges on the T. Just wasn't worth the hassle at the time for me. I might get around to fixing the originals one of these days

 

[earlbrown]

Sounds like I don't ever want to replace the pins. I've read threads where socalled experts have said how easy it is to rebuild the hinges.

It's easy to re-pin the hinges. When I did mine in '98 I was at work (as a service manager at a bike shop) and had a torch, some coat hanger wire, a vise, and a forklift with a strap to hang the door.... So as long as you have all that stuff, it's easy peasy.


It was still a PIA to put that spring back in because I already knew how dangerous a loaded and unrestrained spring can be (esp surrounded by sport bike bodywork that I didn't want to replace).

Now my I have complete hinges in my online store... and no pin kits .

 

[robert duncan]

It's easy to re-pin the hinges. When I did mine in '98 I was at work (as a service manager at a bike shop) and had a torch, some coat hanger wire, a vise, and a forklift with a strap to hang the door.... So as long as you have all that stuff, it's easy peasy.


It was still a PIA to put that spring back in because I already knew how dangerous a loaded and unrestrained spring can be (esp surrounded by sport bike bodywork that I didn't want to replace).

Now my I have complete hinges in my online store... and no pin kits .

After reading this response, I just wanted to say, and I would have if you were in my company, in no way was I referring to you when I used the term, "socalled expert". Though I have encountered these do it my way or the highway experts, I was just speaking in general. It must be something about hinges.

I appreciate the good advice you put out there, here, and on other sites, and even to me, personally. Next time I'll just reach for the "jizz".

 

[earlbrown]

The hinge jizz of choice is fully synthetic hi-temp waterproof marine grease

....and the damn door will still squeak

 

[1BUICKTtype]

I guess my only fear of putting in new hinges as opposed to just replacing the bushings is getting the door aligned afterwards. My door is aligned pretty good right now so I didn't want that hassle.

 

[robert duncan]

I guess my only fear of putting in new hinges as opposed to just replacing the bushings is getting the door aligned afterwards. My door is aligned pretty good right now so I didn't want that hassle.

If you do one hinge at a time you'll have minimal problems re-aligning the door. As I mentioned above, I use a transmission jack to support, lift, and lower, the door. Those Harbor Freight transmission jacks have a groove in the foot long pedestal that allows you to support the door while you replace each hinge. I

https://www.harborfreight.com/450-lbs-low-lift-transmission-jack-61232.html

 

[earlbrown]

I guess my only fear of putting in new hinges as opposed to just replacing the bushings is getting the door aligned afterwards. My door is aligned pretty good right now so I didn't want that hassle.

I can put your mind at ease on that one.


There's approximately a 100% chance you're going to have to adjust the door no matter what method you go with.

If your door has worn hinges and is adjusted right, it'll be high when you get done with the repair.

Since our doors are 10 feet long, .100" at the pin bushing will move the other end of the door right at 1/4 mile.

 

[1BUICKTtype]

i just noticed the rollers are also worn on my hinges (in addition to the hinge pins and bushings). Is there a rebuild kit for the detent roller in the hinge also?

 

[earlbrown]

Wear on the outside of the roller won't matter. As long as the spin freely, they'll work just fine against that wave arm.

 

[T- Type Tim]

just replace all upper and lower hinges.... i did this through g body parts. First thing i purchased before painting the car....doors, fenders and hood all needed adjustment after

 

[GNRick]

Just want to make sure...hinges are bolted onto the body, not welded, correct? I bought Goodmark hinges from Advance. After discounts they were cheaper than Rock Auto.

 

[robert duncan]

Just want to make sure...hinges are bolted onto the body, not welded, correct? I bought Goodmark hinges from Advance. After discounts they were cheaper than Rock Auto.

Yes, bolted on.

 

[GNRick]

Thanks.