Door Hinge replacement (Rear Left Door) We will continue the previous article by replacing the hinges of the rear left hand side door. I will use again the same procedure and means I employed during the replacement of the front door. Here you see the hinges as I bought them from the spare parts dealer; unpainted with a lot of dirt. Be sure to remove the labels and thoroughly clean the remains of the adhesive with alcohol. This simple but important detail will make a difference, otherwise primer will not stick to the metal and thus lose its effectiveness. file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (1 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
I prefer to chose the hanging method for convenience. Here are the hinges after their first coat of primer. Be sure to let at least 24 hours for the second layer. file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (2 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
Here you see both of them after the second layer of red paint (Alfa Rosso 130); again let at least 24 hours between layers. file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (3 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
We are now ready to proceed removing the hinges from the door. Since access to them is very easy in rear doors, I chose not to remove the door from the car; I used a large sheet of towel in order to wrap the door frame to the B-pillar and a piece of rope to tight everything together. file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (4 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
Here you see the lower hinge out of the car; undo the tree bolts (pillar side) and the two remaining (door side) in order to free the hinge. Since they are glued to the body you will probably need a wedge to break the glue. Don't forget to stick masking tape to the edges of the door; it is easy to ruin paint. The area of interest is now cleaned from dirt and factory installed sealer and it is ready to accept the new hinge. file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (5 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
Old and new hinge (left to right) aluminum spacers installed on the new hinge (left) and finally hooked up temporarily This is the upper hinge area; old one removed, area cleaned out and ready to accept the new one file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (6 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
Spacers demonstrated...... and upper one installed and bolts tightened up. Notice the gray material; it is seam sealer used to stop water entering the inner body. file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (7 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
The same done for the lower hinge...... and view from the inside, upper hinge file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (8 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
and lower It is now time to paint the gray areas that seam sealer has left not matching to the car's color file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (9 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
I have used many newspaper sheets and masking tape to cover up every place that paint would stain (plastic covers, rubber seals etc.) file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (10 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
and now everything has been painted close-ups file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (11 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
masking removed and final result is shown from outer side... file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (12 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53
... and from inner side - don't forget to apply white lithium grease to hinges (c) 2006 Thanassis Gritsopoulos 1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE Athens - Greece file:///c /Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/Photos/Alfa/Επισκευ ς/μεντεσ δες/π σω Αριστερ /Bob/hinges_rear_left.htm (13 of 13)26/05/2011 00:39:53