Fiat Ducato Autotrail Apache 634 Garage Door Dropped

[RustyRuss]

I’ve taken another look at your video, what a great idea by the way, and the offending hinge looks like it’s bent along the axis, I think the only way you’ll get that straightened out is by using a decent weight hammer, say around 20oz, or a club hammer, like a handheld sledge hammer. I’ll try and do a drawing of what I mean and post it for you.

 

[RustyRuss]

The hinge is bent as indicated in my drawing, you will need to return it to the exact profile of the other hinge. To take the bend out I would place the hinge on a solid, flat surface, support as indicated, put a drill bit of the right size in the hole to prevent it from going oval, and hit the hinge repeatedly where it’s bent until it returns to the original profile. Hope that helps!

Russ

 

[Pollypenny]

The hinge is bent as indicated in my drawing, you will need to return it to the exact profile of the other hinge. To take the bend out I would place the hinge on a solid, flat surface, support as indicated, put a drill bit of the right size in the hole to prevent it from going oval, and hit the hinge repeatedly where it’s bent until it returns to the original profile. Hope that helps!

Russ



View attachment 1057711

All the hinges on the external doors are bent this way so that's not the issue. Here are pics of the offending hinge and the one the other end which both have the bend, as to the other doors. My issue is not being able to free the bad hinge off, no matter how much force I use and I am quite amazed the door even opened and closed, but guess that's the beauty of leverage! I am tempted, now that I have pumped it full of penetrating oil, to refit the door so I can use the leverage to move the hinge up and down, then remove the door again and see if the hinge is then free enough to actually come off in order to clean as you advised. Oddly the good hinge the other side only moves about 8mm to the right yet it is not at all stiff, so I am now wondering if they are not meant to come off all the way?

 

[Pollypenny]

All the hinges on the external doors are bent this way so that's not the issue. Here are pics of the offending hinge and the one the other end which both have the bend, as to the other doors. My issue is not being able to free the bad hinge off, no matter how much force I use and I am quite amazed the door even opened and closed, but guess that's the beauty of leverage! I am tempted, now that I have pumped it full of penetrating oil, to refit the door so I can use the leverage to move the hinge up and down, then remove the door again and see if the hinge is then free enough to actually come off in order to clean as you advised. Oddly the good hinge the other side only moves about 8mm to the right yet it is not at all stiff, so I am now wondering if they are not meant to come off all the way?



View attachment 1057781

View attachment 1057782

Partner has managed to get the hinge to move up and down now using a wrench but still very very stiff and not improving with the penetrating oil and not budging at all to the left to get it off. Will leave it overnight and start again tomorrow but I think it needs some heat to expand the hinge to free it

 

[RustyRuss]

I see what you mean about the deliberate bend in the hinge profile. Still worth checking they are the same after you finally remove it though.

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[Pollypenny]

So I have managed to remove the good hinge as wanted to see if there was something unusual about the set up and that came off ok. Now the offending hinge will still not budge from hinge pin but the pin is coming out with the hinge instead. Not sure if the pin is meant to come out but no amount of penetrating oil is helping. The pin has also now bent from all the bashing and turning so I have stopped to have a rethink. Video attached to show where I am up to if anyone has any suggestions??

 

[Landy Andy]

I would just keep going as you are and get any part of it off and in your hand. Once the part is out even with hinge pin in it you can knock the pin out by something the correct diameter down through the end that the plastic cap covered.
Potentially the hinge pin should be rotating in the fixed part of your hinge, not the bit you are currently pulling out. Hence the knurled section. Realistically it doesn’t matter which rotates, as long as one does. Possibly that is why you have a small hole in the fixed part of the hinge, to allow it to be lubricated.

Don’t know if any of that makes sense.

Do you have tools, and stuff available or are you just in a camping field somewhere?

 

[Landy Andy]

Any details of maker on the hinge?

 

[Pollypenny]

I would just keep going as you are and get any part of it off and in your hand. Once the part is out even with hinge pin in it you can knock the pin out by something the correct diameter down through the end that the plastic cap covered.
Potentially the hinge pin should be rotating in the fixed part of your hinge, not the bit you are currently pulling out. Hence the knurled section. Realistically it doesn’t matter which rotates, as long as one does. Possibly that is why you have a small hole in the fixed part of the hinge, to allow it to be lubricated.

Don’t know if any of that makes sense.

Do you have tools, and stuff available or are you just in a camping field somewhere?

So I’m guessing the hinge pin only goes in so far and there is one each side? I’d initially assumed it was one length of pin with a hinge fitted to each end, but clearly that isn’t the case or it would be pulling the pin from the right hand side further into the body. We’ve got plenty of tools as at home but need this fixed before we go away in two weeks. My partner is thinking of cutting the pin at the point closest to the body of the pin holder part then using a punch to push the pin back in the 10mm that it has managed to come out and then reattaching the hinge by the 10mm of pin into that hole. This will mean the hinge will always rotate with the pin that is stuck in it. My only concern is whether he can cut it off without a slip up meaning damage to the van as it’s all a pretty delicate job.

 

[Pollypenny]

Any details of maker on the hinge?

No nothing sadly

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[Pollypenny]

I’ve got the bugger off!

 

[Landy Andy]

Well done.

I think the hinge pin should be fixed into the bit in your hand, and rotate in the other part still fixed to your van. But it doesn’t really matter which rotates as long as one does. Now straighten the pin, or replace with new.

 

[Pollypenny]

Well done.

I think the hinge pin should be fixed into the bit in your hand, and rotate in the other part still fixed to your van. But it doesn’t really matter which rotates as long as one does. Now straighten the pin, or replace with new.

I’m inclined to think the same, which is why there is the lubrication hole that side on the fixed part of the hinge. I am baffled as to why the right hand side hinge moves on the pin though but I’ve given that a good clean and lubrication too and it positively swings now!
I’d love to replace the left hinge with a new one, but sadly I cannot find anywhere offering spares so will have to opt for straightening the pin out. I’ll clean the hole and pin first. Thank you so much for all your advice, really appreciated

 

[Pollypenny]

All fixed and working perfectly

 

[Landy Andy]

Brilliant. Well done you

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[jockaneezer]

You can see some knurling on the right hand pin, that suggests that it is fixed to the outer section of the hinge and pivots on the middle section ?
Well done with sorting it out though !

 

[Pollypenny]

Brilliant. Well done you

Thank you. I’m so chuffed

 

[Pollypenny]

You can see some knurling on the right hand pin, that suggests that it is fixed to the outer section of the hinge and pivots on the middle section ?
Well done with sorting it out though !

Yes it’s baffling as that hinge actually pivots on the pin. Both hinges move perfectly now though so I’ll give up questioning why and just keep an eye on them both

 

[RustyRuss]

Well done! And thanks for posting how you fixed it. There will be plenty of Funsters out there with the same, seized, hinge wondering how to fix it, so posting the problem and the solution is always a great help to others.

Cheers!

Russ

 

[Pollypenny]

Well done! And thanks for posting how you fixed it. There will be plenty of Funsters out there with the same, seized, hinge wondering how to fix it, so posting the problem and the solution is always a great help to others.

Cheers!

Russ

Thank you

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