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Savana side door hinge pin removal

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skulker

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Jun 6, 2002, 8:13:12 PM6/6/02
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Greetings,

I have a 1996 GMC Savana conversion van and the side door has become
VERY difficult to open. I have identified the problem as the lower
hinge binding for some reason. I would like to remove the hinge pin
and see if it is bent or rusted.

Anybody know how to remove the hinge pins? I have the service manual
that I purchased from Helm but it just says "remove the hinge pins".
The drawing shows the top pin goes up to remove and the lower goes
down, but I don't know how to remove the "cap" on the pin.

Any help would be appreciated!

TIA!

skulker

sku...@easynews.com.yourpants

email replies remove .yourpants

BOYJUKI

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Jun 7, 2002, 1:21:03 AM6/7/02
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use WD-40 or something like that. then open and close it until it moves freely
then lube it reguarly

skulker

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Jun 7, 2002, 8:42:46 AM6/7/02
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On 07 Jun 2002 05:21:03 GMT, boy...@aol.com (BOYJUKI) wrote:

>use WD-40 or something like that. then open and close it until it moves freely
>then lube it reguarly

That's what I'm doing now with no results. It's not that it's just
difficult to open - the hinge itself is bending rather than rotating
on the pin. Methinks it is more than rust ;-)

Myron E. Williams

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Jun 7, 2002, 11:42:56 AM6/7/02
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I don't know your Savana, but earlier GM hinge pins were just driven out

with a large hammer and appropriate punch. The "cap" is not removable.
Forcing the pin out tears up the spring retaining clip, but they are
replacable if the dealer has any. If the pin is too worn or too rusty,
you may want to replace with a new pin anyway. It comes with the clip
installed. Worst problem was always finding room to swing the hammer.

Myron E. Williams

skulker

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Jun 8, 2002, 3:39:00 PM6/8/02
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On Fri, 07 Jun 2002 10:42:56 -0500, "Myron E. Williams"
<myro...@citlink.net> wrote:

>I don't know your Savana, but earlier GM hinge pins were just driven out
>
>with a large hammer and appropriate punch. The "cap" is not removable.
>Forcing the pin out tears up the spring retaining clip, but they are
>replacable if the dealer has any. If the pin is too worn or too rusty,
>you may want to replace with a new pin anyway. It comes with the clip
>installed. Worst problem was always finding room to swing the hammer.
>
>Myron E. Williams
>

Thanks Myron,

I got it through my thick head now - those aren't caps, it's the pin
itself. I can see where it would be difficlut to get a good swing with
the hammer.

I used Liquid Wrench and kept opening and closing and it finally
"broke" free. There is a small (very minor) thump at one point in the
door's swing - but I can live with that. I suspect the pin has a flat
spot - I'll keep it really lubed up from now on.

Thanks again!

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