Cargo door hinge fix - how and where do I weld?

[Atlantic]

Okay - I have read probably all the threads about the hinge issue and still won't understand, how to fix it (they are mostly about getting the threaded plate back - this is not my issue).

Here is what I have (luckily I could catch it before it would fall down):

.. the threaded plate and the thin plate

and here is where it goes:

(upper hinge by passenger door)

And these are my QUESTIONS:

- where is the best area to cut the access hole? Inside? or opposite of the holes by the passenger door, or outside?

- I do not fully understand, how the threaded plate stays in place. I need to weld it on and yet it needs to be able to move for door allignment?

- What is the order of pieces from the holes inwards ? :

hinge
threaded plate
metal piece that is in the pillar (doesn't show in the pic, but there is a piece between the holes and about 1/2" in that goes vertically)
thin plate(pic above) with the funny cutouts (to hold the threaded plate in place

Please help me out here - I am so irritated with my lack of understanding.

[thom]

There's a little tab that goes across the channel, on which the latch plate rests.
_________________
-Thom
1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type

[Atlantic]

Okay, I figured it out

What happened in my case was that someone cut the metal structure with the 2 holes that is in front of the plate with the 2 threads - that cut piece is the "thin plate" I was referring to above.

Here you can see what was missing:

So I had to come up with a good solution.
I cut an access window on the side where the passenger door closes, broke the vertical retaining strip out, and welded a new steel piece in (that is the piece that will be wedged between the hinge and the threaded plate). I then drilled holes in the new steel:

After this, I had to hold the threaded plate and the previously broken-off retaining plate in place. I did this with a wire through both threaded holes. Welded in the retaining clip and bingo, had the threaded piece back in:

... I did weld something under the threaded plate to prevent it from falling down should the retaining plate ever get loose.

And then I closed up the hole:

I hope that'll help someone in the future. I wish I had better pics from the access window side showing how I could retain the threaded plate - well, if you ever have questions, just contact me.

Thank you all!