The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk AD Door Hinge Pin - Whats the Story?

I have spent the last hour reading articles about replacing the AD door hinge pin. I am confused one guy says it is a simple farmer repair another says it is a job for a machine shop.

What has everyone done when replacing their original door hinge pin when replacing it with the oversized pin from Chevy Duty?

Can I do this with my drill? Or do I need a machine shop?

chev235,

I have done this task. If the pins are frozen in the hinge strap they must be removed, the hole over bored and new pins inserted.

There is a specific procedure outlined for replacing these pins. If followed to the letter, success will be assured.

If you have a small torch, even a MAPP gas propane torch, and a drill press with a vise capable of giving a rigid setup, you are probably all right.

Follow the directions for disassembly of the hinge exactly, and if you reach a point where you need 'machine shop' help, take that part to them for whatever work is needed.

The only sticky-wicket is removing a frozen pin from the strap. If you can heat it a little, let it cool and remove it intact, you have it made.

The strap then needs to be fixtured, perfectly aligned with the existing hole, for a overbore.

Take ONE off and take it apart...see what develops. Do this one at a time so you have the factory hinge for a reference. Good luck.

Stuart

If you have a vise, a drift pin punch slightly smaller that the old pin, some heat, preferable oxy-acetylen and a big hammer you should be able to get the old pin out. You'll use the drill to ream out the holes to accept the new pin. I didn't use the included brass inserts as they require a bit more tweaking. My doors work fine but be sure to grease up the new pin before you pound it home.

If you don't have items 1-4 you might be wise to bite the bullet and let a shop do the install. The heat will almost for sure be necessary. Hope this helps.

Thanks guys!

I have the pin out of one already.

You do suggest using a drill press and not a hand drill to ream these out for the oversized pin?

chev235,

If you were able to actually drive the pin out with a punch intact, you are way ahead of the game.

You could use a hand drill, but if you have a drill press, that would be the ticket.

The important thing is to make sure the new hole follows the old hole...if you have a mic or calipers, verify the OD of the new pin and drill a hole that EXACT size through the hinge strap.

Keep in mind that a drilled hole will usually be larger than the size of the drill bit used.

You don't want to go through all this work for a hinge pin fit worse than you started out with.

The pin moves in the piece you are drilling, and is held firm in the other piece, so it must not be a press fit, just a 'perfect' fit.

Stuart

awesome! thanks atomarc.

I'll post my results

Another thing to remember is to use a SHARP bit. A dull one will waller out the hole and not drill straight when you apply pressure and the hole will not be "true".