Stiff cargo door hinges on Ford E-350

[George Miklas]

My 2001 E-350's side and rear cargo door hinges are stiff, especially the secondary doors. The side secondary door is the worst. Everytime I open it, it is a terrible struggle AND body panels are flexing around the hinges.

I want to poll iRV2 members with knowledge of the Ford Econoline hinged doors if you:
1.) are experiencing the same issue?
2.) did you fix it? how did you fix it?


The hinge changed with the 92 model year. The previous 75-91 hinges were open in the middle and the pin had a spiralgroove inside it which allowed penetrating oil to enter the hinge very easily.

The hinges on the 92-current vans are closed in the middle and I have no idea if the pin is grooved. On mine, the previous owner drilled the through the hinges just into the pin. Obviously, this was to lubricate the pin. I found no other way to get lubrication into these hinges.

I'm wandering if custom-made stainless steel replacement pins with removable cap nuts would be a viable alternative so that yearly removal and lubrication is easy.

Or, should I just get the hinges replaced?

gm

[George Miklas]

My 2001 E-350's side and rear cargo door hinges are stiff, especially the secondary doors. The side secondary door is the worst. Everytime I open it, it is a terrible struggle AND body panels are flexing around the hinges.

I want to poll iRV2 members with knowledge of the Ford Econoline hinged doors if you:
1.) are experiencing the same issue?
2.) did you fix it? how did you fix it?


The hinge changed with the 92 model year. The previous 75-91 hinges were open in the middle and the pin had a spiralgroove inside it which allowed penetrating oil to enter the hinge very easily.

The hinges on the 92-current vans are closed in the middle and I have no idea if the pin is grooved. On mine, the previous owner drilled the through the hinges just into the pin. Obviously, this was to lubricate the pin. I found no other way to get lubrication into these hinges.

I'm wandering if custom-made stainless steel replacement pins with removable cap nuts would be a viable alternative so that yearly removal and lubrication is easy.

Or, should I just get the hinges replaced?

gm

[Frank P. Martin]

George:

Do you think that the holes drilled by the previous owner might have caused more harm than good by creating another entry point for dirt/moisture to enter?

We have an 04 E-350 delivery van at my son's store. I haven't noticed any problems with the doors.

[George Miklas]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Frank P. Martin:
George:

Do you think that the holes drilled by the previous owner might have caused more harm than good by creating another entry point for dirt/moisture to enter? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Frank,
I am in fact suspecting that as a probable cause. Although, I want to investigate if anyone else is having such a problem. I sure don't want to take a chance with damaging my van's body due to a couple of hinges.

gm

[jfb]

Who built the coach on the E350 chassis?

[George Miklas]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jfb:
Who built the coach on the E350 chassis? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>It is not a coach. Look at my signature. It is an all-factory passenger van.