Hi Folks
Started out with a pair of old, rusty and sloppy hinges. Picked out a couple of long 3/8 bolts from the parts bin and got a hold of a 3/8 reamer.
I disassembled the hinges and ran them through the bead cabinet. Gave them a good inspection and didn't find any cracks and the springs looked good. I soaked (evaporust) the hinge portion with the wheels to clean out the rust as I couldn't remove the wheels. Once that was finished, I worked the wheels with penetrating oil 'til they moved freely. Reamed the sloppy holes to size.
Next, I went to work on the bolts. I rounded off the heads and filed a convex into it to take away the "bolty" look, cut them to length, and hit the neck with some chisel marks to act as knurling to facilitate the "press in".
Before assembly, the bolts (now pins) were case hardened with a torch. Heat them up red hot, quench them in oil, clean them, heat them up blue hot (just before red), and quench them in water.......Watch the file skip right across.
Reassemble and press the new pins in......No bushings and tight as a drum.
Didn't cost me a cent as I had all of the **** in my shop. LOL.....I'm getting more creative the poorer I get!
Started out with a pair of old, rusty and sloppy hinges. Picked out a couple of long 3/8 bolts from the parts bin and got a hold of a 3/8 reamer.
I disassembled the hinges and ran them through the bead cabinet. Gave them a good inspection and didn't find any cracks and the springs looked good. I soaked (evaporust) the hinge portion with the wheels to clean out the rust as I couldn't remove the wheels. Once that was finished, I worked the wheels with penetrating oil 'til they moved freely. Reamed the sloppy holes to size.
Next, I went to work on the bolts. I rounded off the heads and filed a convex into it to take away the "bolty" look, cut them to length, and hit the neck with some chisel marks to act as knurling to facilitate the "press in".
Before assembly, the bolts (now pins) were case hardened with a torch. Heat them up red hot, quench them in oil, clean them, heat them up blue hot (just before red), and quench them in water.......Watch the file skip right across.
Reassemble and press the new pins in......No bushings and tight as a drum.
Didn't cost me a cent as I had all of the **** in my shop. LOL.....I'm getting more creative the poorer I get!