Defender door hinge bolts

[scanfor]

I was talikning to someone at the QLD Defender day about removing the door hinge bolts on my Defender.
When I turn them counter-clockwise, they just spin which leads me to suspect that there is a captive nut/cage on the inside of the bulkhead that has rusted off.
The bloke I spoke with said that he had similar issues, and that on his truck he drilled them out and that there was a hole in the bulkhead big enough to replace the captive nuts/cage (similar to the one on the inside of the B-Pillar for seatbelt bolt backing-plates).
Has anyone done this, and if so, am I remembering correctly about the access holes?
I am loathe to start the job only to find I can't get into the pillar to do the bolts back up.
Any help appreciated.
Scott

[jboot51]

I haven't done it myself, but have the paddocks bolt replacement kit sitting here.
The nut are more of speed nut.
such as this but bigger, so should clip in
Speed nut, U- type, Square for #6, #8, #10 and #14 - International Scout Parts - Scout II Parts - Your Authorized IH Lightline Dealer (http://scoutparts.com/products/?view=product&product_id=14209)

[Vin Rouge]

You're quite right, the hinges are held in place with captive nuts - see pic. It can be a bit of a fiddle getting the old nuts away. Try not to drop them in the pillar cavity. Suggest spraying with WD40 and then allow a long soaking.

I replaced mine with the stainless bolts kit from Paddocks. The spraying/soaking part took a week. If yours have rusted away you may have to resort to drilling which will leave steel swarf in the bottom of the pillar. Wax or a fair drop of paint through the holes should sort that out.

Good luck.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1381.jpg from Paddocks.

[austastar]

Hi,
the door hinge nuts on my 2009 D130CC were not captive at all.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1403.jpg

I held them in place with bluetack.

More info here. (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/105369-wider-mirrors-carrying-camper-d130-cc.html)

cheers

[eddy]

I have just drilled out the rear door hinge bolt on my Defender.You only have to drill through the philips head,so no swarf goes down the pillar,use progressive drills up to 8/8.5 mm. Long nose pliers will remove captive nut,sounds like your retaining clip has rusted..Retrieve lost bits using a flexi magnet.Replace top hinge first,in case you drop nuts down the pillar.
I think there is a U tube DIY on fitting the stainless bolt kit.

[blue_mini]

Hi,
the door hinge nuts on my 2009 D130CC were not captive at all.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1403.jpg

I held them in place with bluetack.

More info here. (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/105369-wider-mirrors-carrying-camper-d130-cc.html)

cheers

Thats the door side, the bulkhead ones are held in place with those crappy little captive nuts.

I got annoyed with mine so welded the nut to the little bracket to make sure it stayed in place.
Mine were steel with zinc coated, stainless may be a little better. I bought aftermarket from britpart.
Cheers,
Joe

[scanfor]

I have just drilled out the rear door hinge bolt on my Defender.You only have to drill through the philips head,so no swarf goes down the pillar,use progressive drills up to 8/8.5 mm. Long nose pliers will remove captive nut,sounds like your retaining clip has rusted..Retrieve lost bits using a flexi magnet.Replace top hinge first,in case you drop nuts down the pillar.
I think there is a U tube DIY on fitting the stainless bolt kit.

Thanks Eddy, that sounds like the same method I'd heard about.
I'll check out the utube thingy.

[scanfor]

Thats the door side, the bulkhead ones are held in place with those crappy little captive nuts.

I got annoyed with mine so welded the nut to the little bracket to make sure it stayed in place.
Mine were steel with zinc coated, stainless may be a little better. I bought aftermarket from britpart.
Cheers,
Joe

Joe, is that the door or the pillar? Of course yours may be different being a 2009, mine is a 1999 and has the aluminium doors with steel frames, and I think yours may be all steel.

[scanfor]

You're quite right, the hinges are held in place with captive nuts - see pic. It can be a bit of a fiddle getting the old nuts away. Try not to drop them in the pillar cavity. Suggest spraying with WD40 and then allow a long soaking.

I replaced mine with the stainless bolts kit from Paddocks. The spraying/soaking part took a week. If yours have rusted away you may have to resort to drilling which will leave steel swarf in the bottom of the pillar. Wax or a fair drop of paint through the holes should sort that out.

Good luck.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1381.jpg from Paddocks.

Thanks Vin, I think mine have rusted of completey, so drilling may be the only option now.

[blue_mini]

That was austastars picture I copied. The system is the same as on my 92 and 93 defenders. The nuts you can see half hidden behind the door cards hold the hinge to the door. The hinge to the bulkhead is off the little captive nuts.

And best bet is to drill them out. I had to on both of my defenders. Just remember to catch the door when you open it haha.

[scanfor]

Thanks Joe, good tip about catching the door - sounds like something I'd forget in the heat of the moment.