Front door hinge sag repair

Topic: Front door hinge sag repair (Read 1099 times) previous topic - next topic

Front door hinge sag repair

June 24, 2011, 01:28:43 pm

Our front door hinge has been wearing causing a door latch problem Also the bottom of the door was wearing into the frame. In the past we used E-clips between the hinge parts to raise the door, but after a while the clips did not work. So we looked for a permanent solution.

Found the hinge is held to the door frame with two vertical rows of captive nuts that can be moved up or down within the frame channel. But upward movement was limited by a aluminum tab that hits a welded steel upper-hinge support.

We cut off about 3/8" of the aluminum tab using our Dremel. After loosening all hinge bolts, we were able to move door hinge up about 1/8". Marking the hinge and frame before movement showed how much we moved it. Door latch now works fine. I also raised the door frame roller that assists door closure. A small grinding of the door bottom gave us more clearance to the frame.

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #1 – July 03, 2011, 10:14:16 am

Barry, while doing the adjustment may have "fixed your problem" for now, it sounds like further investigation into what caused it in the first place is in order. Worn hinge/door frame issues? I think your problem will resurface sooner than later. I have issues like this before, and the final solution was new parts. Good luck.

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #2 – July 03, 2011, 02:35:48 pm

Is a new hinge available for our coach? (Our door does not have a screen door)

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #3 – July 04, 2011, 09:06:19 am

Piano hinges are tricky to get adjusted properly as they will work even when in a severe bind. I had to remove door, steps etc on my coach to rebuild the steel step frame and straighten the door frame. As you found, the hinge is somewhat adjustable. I also noticed that when reinstalling the clamping ring for the frame that the screw tightening sequence makes a difference, it needs to be finessed a bit to avoid stressing the hinge. I didn't do this properly and managed to torque the installation enough to get a constant reminder that I need to redo it, a door squeak.

It sounds like your door and frame may need to be removed and reinstalled if you're having to grind on it for bottom clearance, that it is somewhat out of square to the coach. I can't say I've ever seen a worn out piano hinge but they are available in a huge assortment as industrial items. Malybe we'll meet up some day and have a door party. Those suckers are tricky to get just right.

Chuck

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #4 – July 04, 2011, 09:11:50 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – July 03, 2011, 02:35:48 pm

Is a new hinge available for our coach? (Our door does not have a screen door)

We have the same type of door (no screen door). As the hinge is made of aluminum it just wears at a faster rate than if it were made of steel. A new one may be available from Foretravel for $$$. The old one will probably last forever as long as you can keep replacing the worn metal with washers or similar. There was a discussion of this on yahoo, message #42406. I used SS washers to raise the door, really wanted to use nylon, but could not find the correct thickness. After it wears some more maybe the thick ones will fit.

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #5 – July 05, 2011, 08:31:18 am

Piano hinges up to 8" wide in aluminum or stainless plus lots of other neat niche hardware. Sounds like they can laser cut/drill to your spec if for some reason the hinge isn't available from Fore.

Aluminum Piano Hinges - Monroe PMP

Chuck

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #6 – July 05, 2011, 03:22:19 pm

The door hinge on our 1996 U-270 is suffering also from the "aluminum wear" syndrome.
I rectified it temporarily with E-clips but over time it will either require more clips or some other "cure".
I assume that others with our style of door will also suffer the problem depending on whether or not they are like us and are full-timers. Our door probably opens/closes 30-50 times a day, every day therefore causing accelerated wear. Those who weekend most likely will not have much of a problem.
It seems that if there are a lot of us who are or will be having a hinge problem, it might be prudent for someone to pursue the option of a custom replacement hinge from the lead supplied by:CHUCK PEARSON i.e. Aluminum Piano Hinges - Monroe PMP]( Aluminum Piano Hinges - Monroe PMP ) Chuck Pearson 1996 U295 36'

It might be possible to put together a group order and obtain a reasonable price for a replacement hinge.

Foretravel does NOT have any of the hinges as they were made by Avionics and Avionics is no longer making doors or other RV parts.
The last known cost of the hinge from Foretravel was $635.10 plus installation costs, which are unknown due to no parts inventory.

I personally would be interested in ordering a reasonably priced hinge from the source supplied by Chuck Pearson in the event someone wants to put the program together.

Regards,

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #7 – July 05, 2011, 03:42:32 pm

I went ahead while I was thinking about it and contacted the hinge outfit submitted by Chuck Pearson. I will let you know what I find out.
I see that their headquarters are located in southeastern Michigan and I may be visiting that area later this summer. If they need a pattern or specifications they could use my coach unless there is someone closer that could get the job done.
Regards,

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Front door hinge sag repair

June 24, 2011, 01:28:43 pm

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #1 – July 03, 2011, 10:14:16 am

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #2 – July 03, 2011, 02:35:48 pm

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #3 – July 04, 2011, 09:06:19 am

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #4 – July 04, 2011, 09:11:50 pm

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #5 – July 05, 2011, 08:31:18 am

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #6 – July 05, 2011, 03:22:19 pm

Re: Front door hinge sag repair

Reply #7 – July 05, 2011, 03:42:32 pm

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