Door dropping

[JaneHibbert]

Can anybody help with a door problem?

My new Minor's driver's door drops slightly when you open it. I think its the pin in the top hinge. Can this be driven out and replaced WITHOUT taking the hinge off? You see one hinge bolt is already sheared, and I dont want to risk anymore.

[les]

I think it has to come off but as I'm not certain, have a look and see if it will clear the bodywork, it only knocks out one way, again you need to look for splines to know which way. Knock from the opposite end.

[mike.perry]

Oversize pins are available. Lift the door when open to check it is pins and not a loose hinge plate

[Fingolfin]

Probably best to bite the bullet and take the hinge off -- it'll have to be done someday anyway, and while you're doing it, you can take the opportunity to buy some new bolts and screws for it, and then you won't have to worry about the shearing next time.

[simmitc]

To fit the oversize pin you should drill out the hinge. You will NOT be able to get a drill through the hinge without removing the hinge from the car. If I remember correctly, the drill is a 19/64, and available from a number of the usually Minor suppliers. It is often worth doing both hinges at the same time. It is sometimes very difficult to drive out the old pin! Check that it is the hinge and not the A-post moving.

[chickenjohn]

You will have to take the hinge off and drift the pin out, as said above, splined end goes down. Oxy acetylene is useful here to break the rust bond. Also need the right size drill and the oversizec pin.

Or, once the hinge is off, send it off to a Minor supplier and they will re-con it for you.

There is not enough access to drift/heat the pins out in situ.

[JaneHibbert]

Thank you people, I'll take that advice and get the hinge off and swap it with a new reconditioned one.

Hope it works.

[chickenjohn]

It will! Although the new pin might be tight, so plenty of oill and working the hinge back and forth in a vice may be needed.

[JaneHibbert]

Oh, any advice for getting the hinge bolts out without shearing them?

[MarkyB]

Time and penetrating oil, not WD40, a socket that fits perfectly and a short sharp shock, works well.

[chickenjohn]

The hinge bolts are 1/4 whitworth (with 5/16bsf thread), a decent 1/4 whitworth socket and ring spanner is essential in removing these hinge bolts. Metric and A/F sockets do not fit and will round the bolt heads.

[JaneHibbert]

Well the new hinge is on... but now the dorr won't shut, turns out the old hinge was some sort of bodge job... Oh dear, more messing tomorrow tee hee.

[mike.perry]

Compare the two hinges to make sure that they match and you have not got a left and right or maybe one for a two door and one for a four door

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

There is usually a number cast into the metal, just check that any new hinge is the same

[JaneHibbert]

It turns out that the A post had been replaced at some stage, but out of line so we had to bash the post back and do some jiggeling. But it fits A1 now. oh for the love of Morrisses.