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Classic/Antique Car Repair/door hinge pin removal 1951 chevy p/u

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Expert: - 11/21/2007


Question
Hi, I am trying to remove & replace the hinge pins and bushings on my 51 chevy truck.I have soaked with liquid wrench used a hammer and punch and heated with a torch and moved the pin about 3/8". Alot of pounding for little movement. I didn't heat till red but it was hot.They have been in for 50+ years. Do you know any tricks? Air hammer and heat maybe? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ron

Answer
The problem with all the pounding is that you have managed to expand the pin so that it makes it even harder to get our. Doing a restoration so as not to harm the hinge itself when I find this condition I take the hinge right off the vehicle. I mount it up in my drill press so that I can drill a straight hole through the center of the pin about half the diameter of the pin to release the pressure. In a lot of cases then some heat and using a brass drift punch usually moves the pins. In the future look in a magazine like Hemmings get a door hinge pin remover. It is a small portable press. Good Luck.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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