Battery compartment door hinge

[jwo9958]

I have a 1972 Overlander 27, The battery compartment door is hanging down, I need to replace the piano hinge on this, any ideas on a source for this? Thanks

[SteveH]

I replaced one on a '75 23' with an aluminum piano hinge I bought from Lowe's. Even if you found the direct Airstream replacement, you still probably have to drill new holes for the pop rivets.

[Tom Nugler]

I replaced the hinge on my ’72 a few years ago. I found a regular piano hinge did not fit well and caused the door to not seat in the opening.
Maybe Steve’s is different, but on mine there is a steel reinforcing plate with a ~30 degree bent in it running the length of the door. The original hinge had a bend on one side to fit the mounting area on the reinforcement.
In the end I had to mill a fixture to produce a bend into the hinge. I think I used a ¾ inch stainless piano hinge fit into the jig and shaped it on a 20 ton shop press.
Hopefully you can come up with a solution that’s not so involved.

Tom

[jwo9958]

Thanks for your help guys. This hinge does have a bend in on one side. I can get that done at a machine shop that is here in my building. One other question. Aluminum or Stainless?
Thanks again.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Call out of Doors Mart, worth a try.


Bob

[Britbat]

Although weaker stay with the aluminum, i've an aversion to mixed metal.

[jwo9958]

Got just what I need from Mcmaster. MY buddy cut it and put a slight bend in it just as the other one had. Should i use rivets to reattach this compartment cover? What should I get for rivets? One side of the hinge had rivets the other had screws that must have been used by previous owner. There is a good industrial fastener company right near me. What should I get for rivets for my AS also do I use backing washers when riveting?