Hinge rebuild service - maybe???
- Thread starter Midgainc
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I am attempting to do this repair myself and ran into an interesting issue.
Once I built a jig to safely press out the pins, I discovered corrosion on the surface of the pin. Even after lightly sanding the texture is still significant enough that I believe it would gouge and start to deteriorate a brass bushing.
Unless the pins are free of corrosion, I suspect any rebuild whereby pins are reused and press-fit into brass bushings will be short-lived.
I am planning to pickup some steel rod to attempt to make new pins. I will attempt to knurl the ends but really do not think hardening is required if a high-strength steel is used for the pin.
Thoughts, comments?
Once I built a jig to safely press out the pins, I discovered corrosion on the surface of the pin. Even after lightly sanding the texture is still significant enough that I believe it would gouge and start to deteriorate a brass bushing.
Unless the pins are free of corrosion, I suspect any rebuild whereby pins are reused and press-fit into brass bushings will be short-lived.
I am planning to pickup some steel rod to attempt to make new pins. I will attempt to knurl the ends but really do not think hardening is required if a high-strength steel is used for the pin.
Thoughts, comments?
Are you planning on just doing a set for yourself or providing a service?
I used pre-hardened alloy steel pins (about Rockwell C52) that prevented me from easily adding a knurl, I found that a small spot weld ground down to just add a couple thousands of an inch interference fit on the hinge body worked just as well as the knurl for pin retention, less than ideal but worked great for just a couple sets.
If I were going to provide a service I would knurl an alloy steel pin and harden after the fact, either way for longevity I would use reasonably hard pins.
Edit to add guys also use the pin from Napa auto parts, more info here: 55 hinge repair-NAPA kit #675-5157
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@J Mack Thanks for the feedback and ideas!
I intended to do the doors on my pig(s) but never got around to it until a fellow CSC member also had the need. I plan to do mine first and if it works out well, I will help him with his. No plans beyond that...
I thought about just turning-down a larger diameter pin to 8mm to leave a 'shoulder' at the top that could substitute for the knurling as well. I have not done any knurling on my lathe yet and suspect it might balk at trying it on hardened material.
I think I saw that Napa kit referenced earlier in the thread. I will have to go back and look at the pin size. I wanted to avoid reaming out the hinge-pin hole to fit a larger bushing/pin but cant say I am totally opposed to it. I also picked up some 360 brass stock to turn down some bushings so I may do a combination of the two.
I intended to do the doors on my pig(s) but never got around to it until a fellow CSC member also had the need. I plan to do mine first and if it works out well, I will help him with his. No plans beyond that...
I thought about just turning-down a larger diameter pin to 8mm to leave a 'shoulder' at the top that could substitute for the knurling as well. I have not done any knurling on my lathe yet and suspect it might balk at trying it on hardened material.
I think I saw that Napa kit referenced earlier in the thread. I will have to go back and look at the pin size. I wanted to avoid reaming out the hinge-pin hole to fit a larger bushing/pin but cant say I am totally opposed to it. I also picked up some 360 brass stock to turn down some bushings so I may do a combination of the two.
It’s been a bit since I redid my hinges but I believe if you don’t oversize your bushings the wall thickness is unreasonably thin for the bronze/brass material.
These are the parts I used.
Driver side upper door hinge?
Ok I think I am sold on replacing the pin and going with an oversided bushing. The one that came out was paper thin so I am assuming I have to sacrifice a little metal to get a lasting bushing. I am going to first try the Dorman kit and cut the new pin. If I am not satisfied with that I am definitely goin with the McMaster parts you provided.
I have not seen it stated anywhere yet, but does anyone know the McMaster p/n for a suitable replacement spring?
I think I donated all my extra hinges to you. I’ve got another pig I need hinges rebuilt on. I’ll send you those to do and any other I might have. $80/ pair so $320 all 4 doors?
Let me know and thanks again..
Pat
Received both the NAPA hinge pin kit AND the correct knurling tool and wheel. Now I have options! Will try turning down the NAPA pin first to eliminate the large head and also maybe take a bit off the pointy end. If this does not work, I am going to try to roll a knurl into some stainless steel.
Thinking about that corrosion on the pins, yours doesn't look bad where the pin rides in the bushing. Do you still think it would eat up the bushing? Very cool jig, that will make it a lot easier rebuilding them. Waiting to see how the knurling tool works.
I was thinking the same thing when I looked at that photo. It really doesn't "look" bad but it feels like alligator skin when you spin it in-between your fingers. I am pretty confident it would chew up brass or copper pretty quickly given how soft that material is. Also would like to NOT have to revisit it again anytime soon. I think the NAPA kit is going to work out well although I wish the knurling at the top went a bit higher so I wouldn't have to leave any kind of shoulder on the pin.
- Thread starter
- #211
Hey Everyone,
If anyone needs hinge rebuilding, let me know. $45/hinge and includes return shipping in lower 48. if you are a satisfied customer please jump in and let the others know.
I never mentioned that most of the proceeds are being donated to support students at the school of Love Guatemala. Tuition is about $600 per year. I am heading back down again in July. it would be great to support a couple more students for next year's check it out. The school is located about 20 miles from the volcano that erupted a couple of weeks ago.
If anyone needs hinge rebuilding, let me know. $45/hinge and includes return shipping in lower 48. if you are a satisfied customer please jump in and let the others know.
I never mentioned that most of the proceeds are being donated to support students at the school of Love Guatemala. Tuition is about $600 per year. I am heading back down again in July. it would be great to support a couple more students for next year's check it out. The school is located about 20 miles from the volcano that erupted a couple of weeks ago.
- Thread starter
- #212
I sold that pig already.....are you still doing it?
- Thread starter
- #215
Yes.
- Thread starter
- #216
Hey everyone, just waking up this thread. still rebuilding hinges. $65 each includes return postage in lower 48. if you had yours done a few years ago by us, post sonething about how they are holding up. the bushings came from MA and are supposed to be tough.
@Midgainc did you post the address to send hinges to or do you prefer PM’s?
Regardless I’ll PM you now to get the ball rolling. Thank you for this service!
Regardless I’ll PM you now to get the ball rolling. Thank you for this service!
- Thread starter
- #218
Another couple doors ready for the next 20 years....
Just received mine from Midgainc and man are they NICE!! Very good work and thanks much...
- Thread starter
- #220