The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Door hinge pillar repair

Hi, I am working on my 57 TF. When removing the doors I found that three out of four of the welded (or bracketed) nuts that the hinge bolts thread into are no longer in place. Looking in parts catalogs I see a hinge pillar repair part, but it appears to be available for the lower hinge on each side only - no part is called out for the upper hinge that I can find. I assume what is missing in back of the hinge pillar is a square nut, held in place by a bracket which allows the nut some movement while the door is aligned. I am wondering whether I can cut the hinge pocket section out, weld a new bracket with floating nut in place, then weld the hinge pillar section I cut out back in place. The only other option I can see is buying a new hinge pillar for each side, cutting out the hinge pocket portions I need, then welding them into place, but at around $110 each hinge pillar this seems like a pretty expensive option.

Has anyone out there experienced this issue? Can you recommend a good approach for me? Thanks in advance...

I too have been looking at this same issue. I have decided to get or make the cage for the square nut myself, and just drill some spot welding holes in the pillar to affix the cage to it. The spot welds would fill the holes, and nobody would know it was done like that.

Hi, LeeP. Thanks for the feedback. After I posted this I searched the stovebolt site for more info and found an old post from someone (joeflanagan) who did just what you are describing, and he included photos of the job. Very helpful. Now I just need to find a source for the square nuts... do you know what size they are and/or where to get them?

I went the route of making my own as well. You can make your own nut if you have the correct tap. I believe it's a 3/8-24 thread size if I remember correctly. I cut out my own square nut using some scrap 3/8 or 5/16 plate I had laying around then drilled out the hole and tapped it.

Classic Parts sells some cage nuts too if you would like to just use them: https://www.classicparts.com/36-91-Cage-Nut-Assembly-3_8-24/productinfo/37-985/
I don't know if they will allow enough movement in the nut for adjusting the door, but you could give it a shot.

Also you mentioned that you are going to cut out the hinge pocket. Is the old cage still there in the way on the inside of the pocket? If not don't make more work for your self, you should be able to drill the spot weld holes in the door pillar and then weld the cage nut on from the outside (cage nut should fit though the hinge pocket opening).

Even if the old cage is still there you can usually see the spot welds from it on the outside and then drill them out. I believe this is what I did, been a while.

awesome, gumbi, I am going to give the classic parts cage nut a shot... many thanks!