Door hinge bushing replacement.A how to.
 

All apologies as this is the lowest quality write up in the history of the forum.

As part of my restoration my attention was drawn to the drivers side door and the rolling bushing that stops/holds the door from falling back on you.

Worn garbage.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3c9900f2de.jpg
bushing seized and wore down

A quick measurement yielded a 10mmx16mm dimension. Thought, why not go with a bearing?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e0a617b8b4.jpg
Found this on amazon

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...f489f3ec89.jpg
side by side comparison

To remove the old bushing I took a 2" grinder and attacked the head of the pressed in pin until I could liberate the old worn bushing. I used channellocks for spring management.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...42d964eab6.jpg

A quick test has the bearing rolling with the stop. I will need to have a washer tacked on to prevent the bearing from popping off, but that is outside of my experience and gear.


As an aside, The bearing came in a set of two... from China. it took longer than expected to ship. That was not an issue as I am not under any time constraints. I think it was 3 weeks...

Remember the door hinge pins, https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-gene...ation-1123436/

Nice hack. I have to wonder if the bearing casing can handle the load of the hinge edge riding on it. Time will tell. I suspect the bushing is designed to be sacrificial in that regard. Its softer than the parts riding on it and wears down without damaging things.

I think the weight of the door is on the hinge it's self. the bearing seems to only have outside force from the spring.I did try a brass bushing but it did not perform to expectations. The factory bushing seem prone to seizing. I had to use two left hinges to make one good hinge with the bearing.

nice work! thanks for posting. Pls follow up if you mod it further, and how it stands up!

Stu A
80GS
AZ