Door hinge pins and bushings, whew

[giggity]

View attachment 78207

Wow that looks great!

Thats attention to detail!

 

[thesalboy]

The pins did not go in easily, and shortly after installing the doors, the bushings started spinning in the hinge - they appear to be seized on the pins. I'd cleaned the pins prior to assembly (thinking ahead for paint), and I guess they need to be lubed. They came with a thin film of oil, which I apparently removed.

The bushings and pins slide easily in one another, so I am thinking now that the problem is that the holes are not aligned, so the pin is binding. Seriously considering going with repops, despite what some have said about them...

 

[haroldpo6]

I just replaced my drivers side door hinges on my 1970 Camaro with repops with the fenders on. I went to HF and bought a long 1/2" box wrench and heated and bent to fit bolts on frame. Kinda looked like a Z. Mark old hinge location. Repops worked great. No more sag.

 

[thesalboy]

The bushings and pins slide easily in one another, so I am thinking now that the problem is that the holes are not aligned, so the pin is binding

I decided to try to re-rebuild my original hinges. I confirmed that the holes do not precisely line up. One hinge was really bad (I had to bend it a bit to get the holes closer), but they all were slightly misaligned. I drilled out (31/64" bit) all my holes (top and bottom - smaller upper bushings could be pressed in by hand) so I could use the largest smooth bushings in the Dorman kits - they are the same OD as the widest part of the large splined/knurled bushings, so I think they are the best option. Once pressed in, the ID contracted a bit - the pins wouldn't slide through like they did pre-install. I lubed the pin with some white lithium grease and ran each pin through each installed bushing a bit before assembling. Everything went together well and the pins spin in the bushings now, rather than the bushings spinning in the hinges.

 

[dcozzi]

Do you have that 100lb door sitting on your hood with a cushion under it? That's what I'm talking bout right there!

 

[Bowtie7677]

OK gentlemen, I have a question. If I had to replace my hinges, which brand would be the best choice for longevity/reliability? I have read various reviews and not sure which ones to purchase. My hinges were "fixed" by the previous owner by welding a "tube" of sort along the pivot pin and has basically rendered them useless. I will have to purchase new ones as my doors are in need of alignment. Has anyone here had personal experience with purchasing new hinges? I would like to hear recommendations. Thanks in advance.

 

[Scaleytail]

Having tried to do this 38 years when I was 19, I am trying to see if better tools, methods ideas are out there to replace the door pins. 38 years ago I ended up having to take it to a body shop to align the door. Thinking
Drivers door upper hinge
Support door
Remove spring
Cut pin in half -remove
Knock out bushings
Pray to God the hole isn't oblong
Pop in new bushings
Put in new hinge pin with star clips.
Any other suggestions ideas ...sources for pin and bushings?

1979 Camaro

 

[COPO]

To install the bushing I would use a nut, bolt and socket so it pulls the bushing in rather than a bolt/head to hammer on. To support the door, I just put a 2x4 on my floor jack. You can cut a slot in the wood if you have a table saw. Most likely the original pin tapered end is crimped leaving 2 ears. So then your best to cut the pin in the middle to get the pin out.

Or like this.



or this one that shows a spring removal tool

 

[Frank's-78-Z28]

If you are taking hinges completely off the car it's best to drill 2 small holes in the hinge bracket first where they mount to the body. I used 7/64" diameter with 3/32" alignment magnets (1/8" will work ok). This will help get you very close when you go back to reinstall.

 

[Scaleytail]

Ok --Gonna get me a 2x4 and a jack ..also gonna try to utilize an engine lift with Kevlar straps to hep support. Working getting a grinder small enough to get in there after I remove the spring. Just hoping the holes aren't oblong. Excellent tip on drilling those holes in the hinge to re align if this project goes like all other projects ......straight to hell with the wife just staring at me in disbelief.