Door hinges • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Charlie** » 28 Nov 2001 23:50

I need to replace the door hinge pins for my 1971
challenger convertible, i have all the needed parts, but just don't know where to start.
I never done this before and don't want to ruin the car, who can be of any help ??

by **dave-r** » 29 Nov 2001 9:27

Make sure you mark a line VERY CAREFULLY around the hinges and the nuts/washers before you remove them so you can get them back in exactly the same position. That way you have a good chance of getting the door alignment very close to right first time.

These doors are VERY heavy and if you try to take one off by yourself you will end up with broken toes. I would try doing one hinge at a time with the door supported. That way the remaining hinge will hold the door more or less in place. Start with the most worn hinge.

There are different types of repair kit. If I remember right one uses an oversize pin. The other uses a standard size pin but oversize pin bushings. Both require a bit of drilling.

When you are done the door or lock may need a bit of adjusting to get it right. If it looks right and opens and shuts ok then it is right!

I have never done this job myself (I have a kit of some sort in my garage that has been sat there for years waiting for me to do it) so any insight from someone else on this would be handy!

Charlie. Please tell us how you get on and about any probems you come across.

by **Charlie** » 29 Nov 2001 19:14

Thanks Dave, just examined the lower hinges very
closely, there's bodyshims between the hinges and the body that are made of plastic or cardboard.
It's a very original car and it looks that they were installed by the factory.The car is from Switserland and was partially assembled there.
Do i need to reinstall them, are there new shims
available, do those shims belong there ??

by **dave-r** » 30 Nov 2001 10:52

These could well be original. Or they could have been added later when the door hinge started to wear. You can only tell if you need them when you have fixed the hinges. It is alright to use cardboard to pack the hinges to get the door to fit right. Any bits of card sticking out can be trimmed off later.