Door hinge bolts/access hole

[ViewRVs]

Has anyone cut an access opening on the inside to tighten the door hinge bolts? My hinges are loose and cause the door to not close properly. From what I can tell, the hinges are in good shape.

Worst case, the bolts wil be rusted and I'll be unable to tighten them. I assume replacement bolts are available. Stainless steel?

I was then thinking of putting some cover plate over the hole so I could access it agin if I needed to. Thoughts?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Fred.
Remove the entrance door frame "closeout,"

You then can flex the vinyclad back just enough to get at the hinge nuts.

They should have been covered with vulkem so that they would not come loose.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[nickcrowhurst]

Fred, under a thread "door hinge nightmare", I posted the following on 4th Jan :
" I used a 1 inch diameter metal hole saw and drilled 4 holes inside the trailer to access the four nuts. The holes are partly in the door frame, and partly in the inner skin. I used a long pencil in the centre of the machine screw head, perpendicular to the skin, and another moving perpendicular on the inner skin until there was no relative movement of the tips when I moved my head around. This gave me the centre of the holes. I needed a 7/16ths socket (long type) to replace and tighten the nuts. I covered up the holes by using the plastic receptacle covers that prevent children from poking things into 120v receptacles. A little carving on the back to remove the prongs and to mold round the door frame ensured a snug fit. I glued them on with contact adhesive. It looks fine, and I can now service the door and hinges very simply."
I would have tried Andy's way, if I'd Known! Nick.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Nick.

Ah. Too soon we get old. To long we get smart.

Seriously, thats the real purpose of this site.


Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[87MH]

Fred:

I just tightened my lower hinges this past weekend.

The PO had cut a 4" X 6" hole at the location of the lower hinges and had riveted a scab plate over the hole. I drilled the rivets to get the plate off. I assume this is a reoccuring maintenance item.

I think a 4" X 4" hole would have been sufficient.

My nuts also took a 7/16" wrench.

I question if the lap panel next to the door could have been bent back far enough without causing permanent deformation in the vinylclad.

The lower scab panel is covered by the wall upholstery, so the scab panel and rivets are not seen, but on the upper hinge there is no covering over the door lap area. Fortunately, my upper hinge was not loose.

Should I have to tighten them I will try Andy's solution, but before putting a permanent bend in the lap I think I would try drilling out two holes just large enough to insert a 7/16" 1/4" drive socket as nickcrowhurst had mentioned earlier. You will need a "flip-flop" extension on the drive, as it will be impossible to get a straight shot at the nuts due to them being partially hidden behind the door frame. Make the holes as close to the frame as you can.

I think the holes would be easier to hide than a bent vinylclad lap panel.

[Inland RV Center, In]

If the vinylclad is careful lifted, there won't be any bend in it when returned to it's original position.

The purpose of the vulkem is to seal the nut in place.


Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally posted by Inland RV Center, In
Fred.
Remove the entrance door frame "closeout,"

You then can flex the vinyclad back just enough to get at the hinge nuts....



Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

that wouldn't work on my 79.
Curtain has to be removed, track for blinds, window trim. Now you can lift the upper vinylclad enough to reach the upper and reach down for the lower bolts.
I used lock nuts.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Peter.

The nicest thing about working on Airstreams, is that they are different, from year to year and many times, model to model.

But, it does create interesting conversation and remedies, and good fellowship.

Andy

inlandrv.com

[wb13798]

HAD MY HINGES REPLACED AT JACKSON CENTER AND THE TECH TOOK OUT A PAIR OF METAL NIBBLERS AND CUT A INCH BY FOUR INCH PIECE OUT OF THE INNER SKIN BEHIND THE HINGES. PUT THE NEW HINGES ON ANDSEALED EVERYTHING UP AND RIVETED A PIECE OF MATERIAL ON THE INSIDE TO COVER THE HOLES. HE OF COURSE HAD MATERIAL THAT MATCHED THE INSIDE SKIN. YOU DONT SEE IT . IT IS ALMOST COVERED UP BY CURTIONS AND WHATEVER. LOL
AL

[Inland RV Center, In]

Unfortunately, none of the various designs of vinylclad that was used years ago, is available.

Cherish what you have and don't cut it unless "absolutely" necessary.

Andy
inlandrv.com