Things I would have liked to have known 18 hours ago . . .

1) Rodney's door spring compressor works (and is invaluable, for that), but essentially needs to be driven into place with a hammer. There's so much tension on that spring that (a) it's not going anywhere; and (b) the spring compressor can't be pushed in by hand.

2) This all goes a lot easier if you remove the door from the frame. The hinge to frame bolts are a cast-iron B***** to remove, and to replace, but it's do-able. Once done, there's actually room to work. On the other hand, others have apparently compressed and removed the spring, removed the pin safeties, and drifted out the pins without doing so. I applaud them, and denounce them as magicians, who have obviously made a deal with the Dark One. Either that, or they're more talented than I am.

3) The pins in the off-the-shelf replacement kit I purchased were a bit too long. Due to the door curvature, this is a significant problem. They're soft steel, and not hard to cut off, or bevel. Didn't check before tying to insert the first one, though, and those safety clips made it a bear to get it backed out, intact. Fortunately, my neighbor, who was helping me on this, is more adept than I, and devised the method to keep the safety ring intact while backing out the pin.

Oddly, the first Fiero (my '84) made tribute to this one -- back in '88, when I bought my first house, I needed a ladder. The only one I could fit in the Fiero then (I had no other vehicle) was a four-segment foldable. Had to take the damn thing out of the box in Home Depot's parking lot to get it in the Fiero's trunk. Today, that ladder got set up in scaffold mode, and with two ratcheting cargo straps turned into an impromptu sling for the door. Funny how things turn out.

I'm about to perform the same operation on my '84. I don't suppose you'd be willing to divulge a certain part number and place of purchase would you? I can't say I'm crazy about spending the kind of money that TFS wants for the entire hinge assy when all that needs replaced is the hinge pin and bushings. Oh, I second the removal of the door in an effort to make things easier.

quote Originally posted by Brocephus: I'm about to perform the same operation on my '84. I don't suppose you'd be willing to divulge a certain part number and place of purchase would you? I can't say I'm crazy about spending the kind of money that TFS wants for the entire hinge assy when all that needs replaced is the hinge pin and bushings. Oh, I second the removal of the door in an effort to make things easier.

Arrrgh! I knew someone would ask, but fortunately, the container was still around. I got these at AutoZone -- Dorman 38407. [NOTE! They do need to be trimmed to length!]

My local AutoZone is a special AutoZone, as the manager has a V-8 equipped Fiero, and has had others. I had called him to ask if he had any spare pins. He not only pulled the pins and bushings from a door he had, but double-checked boxes in his own stock to find the same diameter pins. So I got new pins & bushings (rather than used, and thus, worn) for a retail price of about $11 (including tax). And he gave me the set he had pulled, just in case. Needless to say, the local AutoZone has my business.

BTW, Rodney not only has the spring compressor, he has the equivalent pin & bushing sets. http://www.rodneydickman.com Go to Exterior, then, door hardware. I mention this as a shameless plug, as everything I have bought from Rodney has been of good quality, and promptly shipped. Besides, your local AutoZone may not have a manager who likes Fieros!

HTH.

from the Fiero Store website







When i did mine, i took the hinges to my dealer's shop and the guys removed the springs for free duringf a break. Few days later, they put them back in for me - never did have to buy a spring compressor

Well color me blind Paul, lol. I probably looked right over 'em too. Oh well, my wife says there are days when I probably couldn't find the kitchen if it was on fire. Thanks for the info guys!

I have rebuilt several door hinges. It can be done on he car but I prefer to remove the door from the car and remove the hinge from the door. It takes a little more work this way but it also gives me a chance to clean and lube the winodw channels, etc. I get my hinge pins and roller kits form Rodney Dickman.

Pat

I just gone done doing my drivers door lower.
I used a pin kit from oreilly's. The brand is NEEDA as in I "need a" part. #384072 Don't know if it's related to Dorman's or what.
http://www.needaparts.com/products.html

Say it's form the 81-94 GM Truck or Van. All the same size as the original. Pin might be 1/8" longer but that would be it.

I got my spring compressor from Harbor Freight, $11.

Like all high mileage cars the door holder wheel was shot also. I happen to have a passenger door hinge that the pin and roller was good. Ground off the bottom where it was sweiged on both and move the good one to my hinge. Zapped it with the welder and lubed it up good. Good as new.

I took the old one apart. I didn't realize that the roller has a plastic bushing it it that wears out and then starts eating the metal of the wheel.

Question I have is I wanted to adjust the back edge of the door up. No other car you can by loosening the hinge bolts and adjusting but there apears to be no movement in these bolt plates. Only way I can see is to shim the bottom hinge on the door side.
I had all four bolts loose and a jack under the door, would not move the hinges on the door post at all.

Is this correct or am I missing something?

[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 03-22-2009).]