Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Door Hinges

My hinges have dropped a fair bit. Find that with the side screens on, the weight makes the doors very hard to close.

I've tried to tighten up the bolts holding the hinges to the frame but was struggling - it turns out that the 'restorer' used CSK bolts with a shank that was actually longer than the wooden frame. I've added a number of washers so can now tighten them as a temporary measure. Ordered new stainless set screws to do a more successful job.

However, it is clear that the hinge pins are worn, so will replace the hinges. HoE are defunct, so can't get the 'oversize' pins (unless someone knows of an alternative supplier).

The stainless ones look good, but are ludicrously expensive and I can't see that the holes match those on my car. It looks like the 'restorer' may have used the LH on the RH and vice versa.

I've seen these hinges on MR advertised for a post '71 (Mine is a 72). However they are not 'handed'. Am I right in thinking I can tap out the pin and reverse it for the LHS? I can then drill the holes so they perfectly match those that are already there,.

A few years ago I had problems with two doorhinges of my old MINI MK IV.

The problem was solved after an information that the VW Beetle pins would fit with a little bit bigger wholes.

So the diameter and the length of the pins would be helpful. To change from imperial to metric can also be a step forward.

May be something like this: https://www.werk34.de/de/tuerscharnierbolzen-passend-bis-07-67-standardmass-831-111-421.html

Greets René

As matter of fact; I got the very last two oversize pins from HoE. I have only replaced one (upper one on the drivers side) so if you wish, I can measure the other one in case you know a metal workshop that is willing to make some for you in SS. You can answer me here or PM me if you wish. Another solutionI have heard of is changing the pins around so the less worn (should be the lower one) ends up where the most worn (upper on drivers side?) Have not tried this, but perhaps an idea?
By the way, sad with HoE. Great and helpful people, excellent stuff in SS.

Thank you. If you could measure up and stick the info here, it's available for anyone else who needs it. I have a lathe, but not that proficient, but have access to a bloke who does some wizard stuff......

Beetle/VW ones are readily available in stainless but I can only find 8mm and 9mm sizes.

Done a fair bit of research and initial plan is to a) replace all the mounting bolts, b) pop the pins out, c) give them a smack with a ball pein hammer, d) swap top and bottom pins over.

TBM .... my hinges were slack so I made some stainless pins by getting a stainless cap bolt with the plain shank long enough to fit the hinge depth then cutting off the threaded part and reprofiling the head in the lathe .... then ran an 8mm drill down the hinge holes .... have test fitted the doors and they seem fine .... the doors are light and there's plenty of meat on the hinge so I don't forsee problems.

I too like the stainless hinges but baulk at 200+ quid for a set.


K

That's good to know. I can get a stainless VW pin in 8mm for a few quid.

Set of four fully polished stainless from MR - £403.20 plus postage!!!!

Part polished are slightly less at £281.28.

Well you wouldn't expect free postage spending 400+quid and it costing them a couple of pounds for Royal Mail!! 🙂 .... seems a bit dear ... but I'm guessing anything that isn't made in bulk is likely to be these days .... why I prefer to remake, restore or fabricate myself .... I work for no wages (can't expect other people to though!🙂)

K

OK, here you go:
diameter of hinge pin = 7 mm
diameter of head = 10,1 mm
total lenght of pin = 53 mm
lenght of shaft = 47 mm
height of head = 6 mm

As I said, on my car it was sufficient with changing only the top pin. Negligible play on the bottom. Very little play at the pasenger side, so it is left as it is for the time being, as I have one spare pin when the day comes. The hinges themselves needed some reaming, now the fit is perfect.

The (old) BEETLE pins are usual 7.95mm as I noticed.

May be you find a metalworker who can machine them down to 7.5mm or something smaller you can use.

For less than 10,-EUR/GBP it would be a nice point of a try.

Greets René