Drivers side hinge detent roller - 77 280z - loud pop when door opened

[jkeese01]

This has been an issue for years. The drivers side door makes a loud pop when opened. The detent roller has a indention carved into it on one side from wear.

I can rotate the roller so the indention is on the backside. This works for one time, then the indented side moves back to the front, and the door starts making the loud pop again when opened.

This article has some great information:

Rebuilding Door Hinges on 1st Generation Z Car

http://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/body/doorhinge/index.htm

but the author found "some lower hinges that had the return springs and roller stops in place". He rebuilt the hinges using new bushings and pins and seemed to use existing detent roller.

Has anyone fixed their worn detent roller?

Thanks,

Jim

[ZCurves]

You have a hinge that has seized probably due to rust. You have to lube the roller when you lube the hinge when you do yearly maintenance. If your hinge has a worn flat spot on the roller, then the hinge/detent assembly must be replaced. The roller must be free to, well...Roll. That is why you have to replace. There are plenty of these around. I may have one, but you can ask the forum...

[jkeese01]

Thanks Andrew.

The roller rolls. I can spin the roller around 180 degrees and the door does not pop for one opening. Then the flat spot rolls back to the front and the pop is back. I've been looking for awhile and haven't found one.

I bet the roller seized, wore the spot, started popping, then I lubed it up good (1983ish) but was too late. Since then, keep both doors lubed well, so never had an issue with passenger side door.

I'd really appreciate any help finding one. Will the roller assembly be a roller on top of a pin that goes in the hole on the door hinge connected to the body or will it be the whole lower hinge?

Jim

Edited October 7, 2011 by jkeese01

[240260280z]

For lubing,

Use a penetrating oil then use a white lithium grease.

Hit every top, bottom and middle of a pin from all sides... and don't forget to do this for the joints in the articulated parts.

[Captain Obvious]

I bet the roller seized, wore the spot, started popping, then I lubed it up good (1983ish) but was too late.

Jim, My driver's side is just like yours, and I believe you hit it exactly with the above. You can lube it all you want at this point, but as soon as it rotates around to the flat, you're back to where you started.

I'll offer up another alternative... If you want to rebuild your original hinge - Take it apart, send me your old roller as a template, and I'll make you a new one.

[jkeese01]

Jim, My driver's side is just like yours....

Thanks Captain. I've even tried very thick grease on the spring, hoping that would reduce the pop. That made no difference.

Someone else gave these three alternatives:

1. Find a replacement.

2. Weld the roller in place with the worn side facing the back.

3. Have a new roller made.

You haven't tried using your roller as a template yet?

Jim

[Captain Obvious]

Use mine? Are you nuts? I'm not going to use my own car as the Guinea Pig!! That's why I suggested using yours!

Seriously though... That problem on my car is so far down the priority list that hopefully I'll still be alive when my car gets to that level of repair. I'd be happy to use mine, but I've got significantly bigger fish to fry!

[TomoHawk]

My driver's side roller was missing when I got the car, so I substituted flanged bronze bushings. I have one inside the other so it's about the same diameter as the roller. I'll get a new roller made, but in the meantime the bronze bushings are working.

[jkeese01]

... That problem on my car is so far down the priority list that hopefully I'll still be alive when my car gets to that level of repair. I'd be happy to use mine, but I've got significantly bigger fish to fry!

Same here Captain, this problem started in 1983. Should have done something then when the parts were still at the dealership. So now just keeping my eyes open to see if I can find one.

[jkeese01]

My driver's side roller was missing when I got the car, so I substituted flanged bronze bushings. I have one inside the other so it's about the same diameter as the roller. I'll get a new roller made, but in the meantime the bronze bushings are working.

If I do have a custom one made, I'll see if the machine shop will give me a quantity discount and make the extra rollers available to the forum.

[ZCurves]

Jkesse01, I have one on my 78 parts car and I'll hook you up if you want, just pm me.

Can you take a pic?

[jkeese01]

My driver's side roller was missing when I got the car, so I substituted flanged bronze bushings. I have one inside the other so it's about the same diameter as the roller. I'll get a new roller made, but in the meantime the bronze bushings are working.

Hi TomoHawk,

Just re-read your posting and it gave me an idea.

Can you give me more details about the bronze flange. Where you found it, etc.?

You think I could slide it over my roller, tap it down with a hammer for a tight fit?

That sure would be an easy fix until I get another hinge.

Thanks,

Jim