snowie Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I’m imagining that this might be a common problem? Offside door hinges, maybe mostly the bottom one are very stiff. Near side are fine. Query is, can they be stripped and rebushud, or is it a replacement job? Can’t see any way to apply grease other than by disassembling. Regards Snowie Ps. Of course mine was originally a “white van” so nothing special, I doubt if there’s anything in the service schedule? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 The following links refer https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/298504-x2-50-270-degree-rear-doors.html http://forums.motorhomefacts.com/185-bodywork-trim/106609-rear-door-hinges.html One person (MHFacts forum participant) drilled holes in the hinges to allow lubricant to penetrate. The important thing is to address the stiffness problem before it becomes so bad that the metal of the door itself splits. (The service schedule very likely does include lubricating door hinges. But if the design of the hinges is such that the lubricant cannot penetrate into the hinge, it’s all rather academic!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 Thanks for that Derek, good to know Fiat are cherishing their customers as usual. My wife had trouble closing our van doors just today, and I suppose it made me think I should do something about it. As it’s only the offside one it might be easier than the accounts you have linked to. Have to leave drilling until we get home tho’ Regards Snowie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike88 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 As the problem seems to be with the bottom hinge and if all else fails you could always buy a new one: https://coastalmotorhomes.co.uk/fiat-ducato-peugeot-boxer-citroen-relay-rear-o-s-bottom-hinge.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul2 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi When at work we used to drill the hinges never done on a Ducato but would drill mine if it was stiff. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddies104 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi Have you tried spraying it with Thetford release spray, as it not only releases but oils as well :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I too drilled holes in a door hinge (on a Talisman) many years ago and it sort of worked, but those hinges are a lot lighter than a Ducato rear door's. The problem is that if the hinge pin is rusty the rust will stop any lubricant getting in. One temproary fix might be to heat it all up in situ with a hair dryer - not quite so hot as a heat gun - and see if that gets it moving without damaging the paint work. If it is really siezed there is the risk of damaging the bodywork when you open or shut the door. If you do decide to remove the hinge be aware the door is very heavy and not easy to support so to avoid the risk of door or body work damage you will need a sturdy and firm support for it, and preferably no wind, and if you have an assistant on hand that might be handy. A new hinge will probably come in primer so you will also need some matching paint. As an initial lubricant I would try proper penetrating oil, but watch out with heat as some of it is very inflamable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul2 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi I've done it on LDV sherpa and maxus, Iveco daily and Merc sprite once drilled spray penertrating oil in and work door when free and lub with oil. Worked on all of them. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi, I’ve attempted to spray WD40 into the bearing surfaces of the hinge, and maybe it feels a little better than at first, but I think it will take repeated and regular attention to make progress. As for drilling, I would drill from opposite sides, on those same surfaces, is that right? Regards Snowie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul2 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi We drilled one hole in each hinge in the centre of the centre part of the hinge up to the pin. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globebuster Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Try some Corrosion Block ACF 50 - it's highly regarded in my industry It will free and lubricate just about anything, even if dissimilar materials are involved. I would avoid WD 40 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Designed as a commercial van where the back doors are used too often to seize up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted March 10, 2018 Author Share Posted March 10, 2018 Well I think mine might have been a double glazing contractor or similar. A lot of dust and powdery rubbish which no doubt circulated around the door openings, and rear doors and sliding door in full use. Saved it from a terrible long term fate: and it keeps showing its gratitude! Cheers from sunny Aguilas Spain, could be 23deg today! Snowie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veletron Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Hi The hinges on my old van seized up after it was about 6 years old. I let it go too far and the stiff hinges caused metal fatigue in the offside door. I ended up buying a door off ebay incl hinges same colour. This came from one of the few Mfr's that builds on Ducato's but replaces the rear doors with a fibreglass panel - eg IH. Prior to getting the new door, I drilled the hinges which helped greatly, but the damage had already been done to the door by then. Drilled hinges have a habit of spewing rust and look rather unsightly. I ended up filling them (some of that silver 'chemical metal'). I don't believe that the door mounted bike rack helped. I am keen to avoid the same with my now three year old 'new' van, and am unsure what to attack the hinges with as a preventative measure. Any tips from older van owners who have managed to keep the rear doors running smooth at 7+ years old gratefully appreciated! Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globebuster Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Go and get yourself some ACF 50....you'll use it everywhere, not cheap but the best 'all rounder' you can get in terms of lube and keeping corrosion at bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 snowie - 2018-03-09 7:10 PM Thanks for that Derek, good to know Fiat are cherishing their customers as usual. My wife had trouble closing our van doors just today, and I suppose it made me think I should do something about it. As it’s only the offside one it might be easier than the accounts you have linked to. Have to leave drilling until we get home tho’ Regards Snowie It sounds like another cheap, Fiat bought in part. My inclination would be to change it for a better hinge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 I’m not sure where one might get a “better hinge” from... There’s a photo of the hinges on this May 2018 thread and they are hardly a standardised design. http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/ducato-boxer-relay-rear-hinge-lubrication/49334/ It OUGHT to be practicable to DIY re-engineer the hinges to carry a stainless-steel pin, but I can’t see many PVC owners going to those lengths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veletron Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Cheers. ACF50 bought and squirted! will see how it goes. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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