Posted 2008-03-27 8:06 AM (#80428) Subject: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: North Carolina
I am referring to the type of window/ door hinges that you see on the bloomer, 4 star, C&C, etc type trailers. Is there a easy way to grease the hinges if the door squeeks or becomes harder to shut? Or is it best to drill each hinge and install a grease fitting on them.
Posted 2008-03-27 8:54 AM (#80430 - in reply to #80428) Subject: RE: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If the hinges are squeaking, lubricate them with some spray can oil, WD-40, LPS etc. Continuously move the doors and windows, until the fluid flows out of the end of the hinges and the squeaking stops. You will probably see a trail of rust as it's being flushed out of the hinge. Keep applying more oil and move the window or door until the rusty oil turns to a clear liquid.
Once this is accomplished,you should apply a longer lasting lubricant. An easy way is to use a horse syringe and some synthetic oil, squirting the oil directly onto the hinge pin and moving the windows and doors until this oil flows out the ends.
A reapplication of oil every few months will keep things lubricated and operating smoothly.
If you try to drill and tap the hinge for the installation of a grease fitting, without first removing the hinge pin, you can damage and weaken the pin. Once you have some oil into the hinges, pressure greasing should not be necessary.
Posted 2008-03-27 10:06 AM (#80434 - in reply to #80428) Subject: RE: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: North Carolina
Gard I tried the WD 40 route and it helped a little, but not like I had hoped for. Its a very thin space to try to get the oil in. Was thinking of giving something like Marvel Mystery Oil a shot.
Posted 2008-03-27 12:07 PM (#80442 - in reply to #80428) Subject: RE: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Marvel Mystery Oil is an excellent penetrating oil and lubricant. In our shop we used to mix it 50/50 with dot brake fluid, and there weren't many rusted bolts it wouldn't release. Whatever lubricant you use, will have to be "worked" into the pin by moving the doors. It may take a few minutes or an hour. It will work poorly with only a static application. It will take successive applications and some labour, but it should work. Move the doors and windows through their full travel to allow for the greatest application of the lubricant.
Posted 2008-03-27 12:31 PM (#80445 - in reply to #80428) Subject: RE: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
I've drilled oil holes on welded hinges before without any problem by using a stop collar on the drill bit. I didn't use zerks and grease, just a pump oil can with the tip inserted in the oil hole. If you don't have any stop collars you can just wrap some tape around the bit to use as a depth guide. Even if you go a little too deep, most trailer hinge pins are substantial enough that it won't hurt anything.
Posted 2008-03-27 4:45 PM (#80464 - in reply to #80428) Subject: RE: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
For a tapered metal cutting drill bit to clear the boss, you will have to drill into the hinge pin. This will damage and weaken it. If the pin could be first driven out of place and then the hinge boss were drilled, you would have an ideal situation.
Posted 2008-03-27 5:22 PM (#80465 - in reply to #80428) Subject: RE: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Regular
Posts: 83 Location: Cheshire England
Yes wd40 to free it, then Ive had good results with motocycle chain lube oh the clear stuff not the white wax.. starts out as a oil and drys tacky does not wash out, can be a little messy wipe of surplus after use
Posted 2008-03-28 8:12 AM (#80493 - in reply to #80428) Subject: RE: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Whenever you have a frozen, assembled hinge, you need to apply a thin viscous lubricant that will penetrate into the pin and boss area, to loosen and displace the rust. A grease will not be able to access this area. If you have a take apart hinge, (gate type) an application of grease applied to the pin before the hinge is assembled, will lessen the wear and friction.
Posted 2008-03-29 11:34 AM (#80587 - in reply to #80428) Subject: RE: How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 804 Location: Tenn/Ala.
As a Bloomer dealer, I can tell you the Bloomer factory's "official" suggestion for hinge lubrication is 3 in 1 oil. They have not had good results with WD-40. Gard is correct in the working it in process. Just take your time & make sure it gets done. If the hinge is not allowed to get too dry, it usually doesn't take long to get them loosened up.
RTSmith
www.SelectTrailer.com
How do you grease / oil welded hinges?
