Car door hinges directly determine fit and function. When bushings and pins wear out, fit and function go right out the window. Whether your classic muscle car has cast iron or stamped steel door hinges, you can rebuild them to restore integrity and fit.

You’re going to need the hinge pins and even the check mechanisms in some cases. These parts and complete door hinge rebuild kits are available from Summit Racing. New old stock hinge pin kits are also available on the auction websites as well for concours restorers.  

If your door hinges are too far gone for repair or restoration, you may also opt for complete replacement car door hinge assemblies for certain applications too.

close up of gear teeth on car door hinge
Excessively worn door hinges and check mechanisms adversely affect door fitment and function. Summit Racing can help with a wide variety of rebuild kits for popular classic cars. (Image/Jim Smart)
car door hinge pins & bushings
We got lucky and managed to find new old stock hinge pins and bushings. Ford, as one example, went from cast iron door hinges to stamped steel in the late 1960s. (Image/Jim Smart)
close up of hinge pin top on a car door bracket
The original factory hinge pins were peened at the head for fast assembly. (Image/Jim Smart)
grinding off top or a car door hinge pin
The head will have to be ground off for removal. This is the top hinge. (Image/Jim Smart)
hammering out a car door hinge pin
Once the head is ground off, the pin is driven out as shown. (Image/Jim Smart)
using a drift to hammer out a car door hinge pin
(Image/Jim Smart)
using a hammer and punch to remove a car door hinge pin
The hinge pin is cleanly driven out through the bottom. (Image/Jim Smart)
close up of door hinge with pin removed
Once the pin is driven out, the bronze bushing is driven out next. (Image/Jim Smart)
hammering in a brass bushing in a car door hinge
New bronze bushings are driven into the hinge. (Image/Jim Smart)
lubricating pin bushing in a car door hinge
These bushings are typically oil-impregnated; however, they must be lubricated. (Image/Jim Smart)
hammering in a new car door hinge pin
With the hinge carefully assembled, the new hinge pin is driven into the hinge. (Image/Jim Smart)
new car door hinge pin
You can trim the hinge pin as shown here or cut it prior to installation. Taper the tip for easy installation. Seat the serrated shank firmly in the hinge. (Image/Jim Smart)
grinding top off a car door hinge pin
The lower door hinges with check mechanisms are more challenging to tackle due to the checks and spring. (Image/Jim Smart)
cutting hinge pin tip off car door
As with the uppers, grind the pin’s head off as shown. (Image/Jim Smart)
hammering out an old hinge pin in a car door
While keeping the two halves together for reference, the pin is driven out as shown. (Image/Jim Smart)
inserting a brass pin pushing into a car door hinge
Oil-impregnated bronze bushings are installed next. The hinge has been media-blasted. (Image/Jim Smart)
lining up a car door hinge with pin
The halves are carefully fitted together. (Image/Jim Smart)
grinding the tip of a car door hinge pin
Lower hinge pins are cut to fit tapered for ease of assembly. (Image/Jim Smart)

inserting a new pin into a car door hinge
Bushings have been lubricated with white grease and the pins are pressed in. (Image/Jim Smart)
hammering a pin into a car door hinge
We got lucky with these lower hinges. The check rollers were solid and only required lubrication. (Image/Jim Smart)
a pair of restored vintage car door hinges
Completed hinges are ready for primer and paint. (Image/Jim Smart)
Keywords
door hinge, Restoration
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Author: Jim Smart

Jim Smart is a veteran automotive journalist, technical editor, and historian with hundreds of how-to and feature articles to his credit. Jim's also an enthusiast, and has owned and restored many classic vehicles, including an impressive mix of vintage Ford Mustangs.