Just recently rebuilt my driver door top hinge (53 Chevy 3100 1/2 ton) with a replacement pin and new springs. I'm finding it impossible to get the hinge back into the hinge pocket! When I took it out there was some manipulation, but since the springs were gone it wasn't difficult. In the videos I have watched, the people say to make sure the hinge arm is swung fully open to get the hinge back in the pocket. What am I doing wrong? Or did I put the springs in wrong?
You'll obviously need to have the hinges in the open position (your pic #2) to get them into the hinge pocket. I had no trouble getting mine in. Be sure you have them on the correct side. Comparing to the one picture I have of my rebuilt hinges, it looks like the springs are in correctly, although I recall that the springs would move to different ends of the slot in the hinge body whether opened or closed. Yours seems to be on the same end of the slot. Not sure if that's a problem.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I did my drivers side last year and had a problem getting the hinge back in the pocket ,The after market springs are a little bigger if put side by side .i got it in after messing with it .I can’t remember were I got the springs from but I was told they were made in house so I thought maybe just a batch that was a little off .
Oh wow, that look's like it's a least an 1/8 inch difference! When I take the passenger hinge apart I can measure the difference in the springs. The driver door the springs fell out.
Last edited by Challenger Pilot; 03/15/20241:10 AM.
I have had trouble getting mine in as well. It takes some finese and playing to find the right combination of entry, turning, etc. and my pocket edges are bent from those efforts but they eventually did go in.
I was able to get it installed by using my Dremel tool and shaving off about a sixteenth of an inch off the pocket. Hopefully the passenger side goes easier.
