Drilling Windshield Hinge Pin Question

[Coolerman]

I had to move the clamps a couple of times as they got in the way and once had to lower the bit in the chuck so it would reach the bottom but after about 20 minutes it was done! All excited I grabbed a old door hinge pin and tried to slide it in... Hmmm dam virgin... Ooops! Guess I need to make the hole the correct size? I chucked the 5/16" drill bit in, ran it through, and the pin went through one side, all the way through the center then stopped... I tapped it a couple of times with a hammer then realized that a very thin section of the OLD pin was coming out the other side! Long story short I was able to drive out the paper thin pieces! Of course the holes were off by that same amount but it's not enough to make a difference. I will use nylon washers to snug them up. See pic.

 

[Coolerman]

Anyway here is the hinge after driliing. I won't drive that pin in all the way until I actually reassemble the hinge after powder coat or paint.

For reference the door hinge pins from CCOT are 0.310 in diameter just like the stock windshield hinge pins. The outer hinge bores are approximately 5/16" (0.3125) and the inner hinge bore is just slightly larger at 3/8" (0.375).

Hope this helps someone who may decide to drill out their hinge pins!

 

[psreno]

Safety Story on why to check these!

A friend in his 66 had been out near Bishop CA screwing around with his windshield down. After getting back on 395N to Reno his windshield blew back on him injuring his hand that was on the steering wheel. The bikini top kept the windshield in the vehicle (no top/doors), but with the roll bar interfered with driving/seeing etc until he could pull over.

The pin had become part of the hinge and was torquing as the windschield was lowered and raised repeatedly - who knows when it started. Finally weakened to the point of failure -- almost tragically.

He did make it back with a little duct tape on the knuckle and with safety goggles from work, but he sure doesn't like driving through clouds of gnats anymore.

 

[mikeob1]

Nice work coolerman

That is some serious drama I opted not to do after trying. See my windshield hinges are plenty tight, but I wanted them appart to paint. I tried the hammer and drift and saw it was going nowhere quick.

My hinges ended up vicegripped to my bumper while I wirebrushed them.

Now..my windshiled hinges, I would love to repair as you have with new bushings and driving pins out and such.

Think your torch, hammer, drill method would work on the windshield hinges for bushing repair? Are you trying that soon?

 

[Coolerman]

Think your torch, hammer, drill method would work on the windshield hinges for bushing repair? Are you trying that soon?

Don't see why it wouldn't! I plan to do the same thing to my hood hinges but install bushings in them as they see a lot more use.

My door hinges came apart easily so I won't have to fight with them .