Rear Door Hinges (Van)

[mixtboy]

i have a '69 van... my right hand side door lower hinge appears to be separating between the join... and what appears to be a "ball" or rounded bit of of metal is now visible between the gap... i have tried tightening the nut at the base of the bolt but it's not really moving and i can't seem to get it to cinch up tighter. the entire door seems to have a bit of sag in it as the bottom of it rests upon the rear valance... and over time, i can see that it's cracked the right corner just inside the light cluster from the pressure on it. any advice on how to remedy this?

[les]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/classic-van-rear- ... 1c16d806a4

Might be of use?

[mixtboy]

i saw that on ebay yesterday... but not sure if it's just an adjustment problem on my existing one or if it's knackered and should be replaced... see how this one on ebay is tight and there is no gap at the join in the middle... well mine spreads up and down and there is a bulge... a round end of metal under there, looks like a ball joint! ?!?!?

[les]

There is a brass ball in between each part of the hinge, the ball has a hole through which the bolt passes. If anything the 2 hinge parts would close up if there was any wear present. Remove your hinge, dismantle clean and reassemble with grease. Sometimes the bolt is hard to shift as there is only a screwdriver slot to hold it by. There is a spring and tab washer under the nut.