[Roadsters] A few questions

[Keith0alan at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/11/2008 11:58:33 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
hahlbohmd at earthlink.net writes:

Keith, I  am interested to see hinge straightening instructions, in addition 
to buying  at least 4 hinge pins, maybe more.  I do not want to be a hog, but 
if you  have more than 4 available, I know my other roadster could probably 
stand an  upgrade as well.  Thanks, Dewey 



Hello Dewey and all the ships at sea,
 
    Figured I do this once and share. Hopefully the  picture links don't get 
stripped out.
 
First remove the hinge. Take two mounting bolts and two flat washers.
 
_http://members.aol.com/keith0alan/images/h1.jpg_ 
(http://members.aol.com/keith0alan/images/h1.jpg) 
 
Insert the bolts and washers into a couple of the holes.
 
_http://members.aol.com/keith0alan/images/h2.jpg_ 
(http://members.aol.com/keith0alan/images/h2.jpg) 
 
Close the hinge. The two plates should be parallel. If not your hinge is  
bent.
 
_http://members.aol.com/keith0alan/images/h3.jpg_ 
(http://members.aol.com/keith0alan/images/h3.jpg) 
 
To straighten them I put the bolts and washers in the short side holes  
farthest from the hinge pin. Then squeeze in a vice. Don't squeeze tight. Take  an 
oxy/acetylene torch and heat where the hinge loops are welded to the plate.  
You should be able to see the side that is bent. Once it gets red slowly 
squeeze  till the plates come into parallel. If you don't heat the hinge where you 
want  it to bend it will bend where you don't want it to bend. 
 
_http://members.aol.com/keith0alan/images/h4.jpg_ 
(http://members.aol.com/keith0alan/images/h4.jpg) 
 
Let it air cool. If you pitch it in water when it's red hot it will get  
brittle. Once it's straight reinstall using a bolts and lock washers only. If  you 
put a flat washer in there also the hinge will bend the first time you close  
the door. 
 
When you get the hinge out it will be obvious if the pin is worn out. To  
remove the pin soak it in penetrating oil then press it out. One end is splined  
and you need to press the other end. If you try to hammer it out the end tends 
 to mushroom. This makes it very hard to get out and in the process you 
stretch  out the loops and the new pin will be loose. Then we get to talk about 
torch and  hammer shrinking followed by reaming. 
 
I had some pins made a while back and still have several sets. Having stuff  
like this made in relatively small lots is kind of pricey. The pins are $40 
for  a set of 4. That price includes postage. 
 
keith
 



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