Luckily for me I did not have a lot of slop in my hinges on the 52 panel. I drilled the holes to accommodate the new pins and they worked well for many years.
My memory is getting bad but doesn't those hinge straps have a hole where you could squirt some lubricant in them? I sold my panel and can't go look but seems i remember the holes. I had thought about drilling them out and put a grease zerk in the hole or use a lubricant with a straw on it and squirt some in the hole.......anyone ever try that??
But if done correctly it will last for years. It may be adviseable to put some anti seize on the pin as you install it.
Jon G, I enjoyed your post. Your spot on!
