There's a wonderful sound that only a vintage-Ford door makes. You know the one I mean: a solid, yet muffled, double-click that happens when a properly aligned door is closed tight. To make this music, you need two components: a functional and tight latch assembly, and hinge pins and bushings in good condition. Combine these two with a little adjustment time, and you can achieve "the sound." If your hinge pins and bushings are worn out, the sounds your doors can make are just the opposite of pleasant. Misaligned doors stand out big-time at a car show, and are generally annoying in everyday use. The main culprit is usually the brass bushings in your door hinges. Brass is the sacrificial metal used in hinge bushings, and, because of its soft composition, works quite well with metal-to-metal contact. Years of wear take their toll, and a rebuild is often overlooked in refurbishing a car. Replacement techniques are nearly identical with most manufacturers, and repair kits are available from most retailers. We also recommend doing both doors (or all four, if so equipped), so you can be sure your Ford is solid on both sides.
This project isn't as intimidating as you may think; so read on and let us walk you through the rebuild of our '66 Ranchero's pins and bushings.
WHAT'S IT COST?
Time involved: 30 minutes per hinge
4 Hinge Pins, PN IN-106 $4.80
8 Bushings, PN IN-107 $6.00
1 The first step is door removal, followed by the hinge itself. Ifyou're not repainting the jambs at this time, use masking tape and markthe location of the hinge to the door to save time duringreinstallation. |
2 A bench vise is a necessity in any shop. Without one, you'll probablyinvent some new words trying to "MacGyver" everything into shape. Usinga vise, a hammer, and a flat-faced punch, drive the hinge pin from theswing joint to replace the bushings. |
3 Using the same punch, drive each bushing up from its seat and removeboth bushings. |
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