TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Jan 04, 2003 2:27 pm

I am thinking of drilling out my door hinges and putting in oversized pins or mirror shafts. Does this significantly weaken the hinge?

Has anyone done this and had good longtime results?

Doug

Sun Jan 05, 2003 9:13 am

I haven't done this but if you have the proper sleeve it doesn't seem like you would be removing that much material to make a difference. The hinges probably are worn to the size you would probably be drilling to anyway. I don't think anyone makes a sleeve for the purpose you are talking about. You'll probably have to make one.

Ol VW nut

Sun Jan 05, 2003 1:23 pm

CIP1.com used to list the kit including the replacement hinge pins and correct drill bit or reamer. That might be the safest way to go.

Sun Jan 05, 2003 2:50 pm

Thanks Speirsn,

CIP only makes them for bugs. Since there are no 'oversized' mirror/hinge pins for busses, then a sleeve is the next best thing.
I believe Ronnie at OldVolks is manufacturing oversized arms for round mirrors, but hasn't got them available yet.

Doug

Sun Jan 05, 2003 10:45 pm

I've been emailing someone who has made a sleeve from a brass pipe nipple. You would have to drill the hinge out to 3/8", which looks to be about 1/8" oversize from the stock 1/4" (approximate). I am sure VW designed the hinge to need all it's material. Maybe they overdesigned it and the 1/8" of material removal doesn't pose a structural problem. I would like to know if someone has done this and how long their hinges have been holding up.

Scott

Mon Jan 06, 2003 5:22 am

custom and commercial in the UK do oversize (8.5mm if i remember) mirror arms for small round mirrors anyhow.
pretty sure they do the lower hinges as well

get them on +44 1372 452297

< das nut >

Mon Jan 06, 2003 8:11 am

Das Nut,

Does custom and commercial have a website? Is that a phone number -- +44 1372 452297?

Thanks,

Doug

Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:00 am

Doug,

yeah try www.customandcommercial.com

yes thats a phone number + means add your international dialling code, 44 is for the UK, and then the area code then the number......

< das nut >

Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:22 am

Das Nut,

Have you done this before? Drilled out your door hinges? I was wondering about the strength of the hinge after thinning out the hinge with the drill.

Micro

Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:46 am

no i haven't. but i need to! the arms are just sat on my shelf at the moment!

The difference is only half a millimetre (8.5mm rather than 8mm), so i can't really see that affecting the strengh of the hinge.

IMHO

< das nut >