Door hinge tightness

ausgezeichnet · ausgezeichnet's Garage

My drivers side door closes hard. The passenger side door closes nicely. The only difference I can see is that there is some vertical play in the drivers side door if I grab the door out by the handle and move it vertically up and down. The play seems to be in the hinge itself where the pin goes through. Does this look like the normal position for a door hinge pin? Should the head of the pin be flush with the hinge? Is there any way to remove the play? Thanks.

Evans, Marv · 05-07-2005, 08:29 AM

Sounds like the pin may be worn or the bushings (I believe there are bushings) inside the hinge are worn, maybe both. No, the head of the pin shouldn't be flush with the hinge. Your hinge pin is in just right. To remove the pins and door, you can remove the pin with a long punch (applied to the tip if the pin and under the head alternately) and a 2 lb. hammer, or a bar with a "V" or "U" shaped notch in the end applied under the head of the pin. Be careful of chipping the paint when you are using the hammer, etc. and have somebody hold the door when you get ready to take especially the second pin out. The pins are usually worn on one side if worn, and a new one will usually fix it. Check the inside of the hinge bushing to see if it is out of round & it may need replacing. The door should shut fine with new pins. Good luck & don't let it go too long or it will start wearing the other parts of the door closing mechanisms.

ausgezeichnet · ausgezeichnet's Garage

Marv,

Thanks for the detail. Do you have any idea where I can purchase new pins? I can't find them on Pelican or any other site I searched
-Mike

dean · 05-07-2005, 01:18 PM

Mike,

There are bushings in the hinges. To rebush the door you have to hand fit and ream the bushings. Then drive new pins in

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

try this link: Door bushing replacement question-

geof33 · 05-07-2005, 10:17 PM

Looks like you might have some bind in that hinge. It is possible to adjust it out. Unless your pins are moving around I wouldn't go to the trouble of a re-bush. Also, try taking one pin out at a time and clean and polish the snot out of it. Clean the heck out of the inside of the hinge as well and you should be good to go.