Anyone ever had the door hinge plate fall down inside the A pillar?

[broncobuddha]

73' Bronco.

I've had the top and the doors off for 3 or 4 years now. (even through winters).

Decided I wanted to put everything back on this winter and forgot about this little issue. (Got the top back on today)

When I initially removed the doors, I put the body side hinge bolts back in so I wouldn't lose them. Never noticed it before, but the lower side, driver's door hinge plate appears to have fallen.

Is there a way to fish it out without ripping fenders and stuff off? Or is it likely gone.

If it's not retrievable (the a pillars actually appear to be in decent shape) can the hinge be welded to the pillar? I'm thinking of getting some quick disconnect hinges since I like to take the doors off.

Thanks.

 

[ared77]

Would one of those flexible rods with a strong magnet on the end fish it back up?

 

[broncobuddha]

I was gonna see if I had one or a wire coat hanger.

I assume the little pockets that hold these plates in place are visible if the fender is removed? Not that I really want to do that.

I'd probably try welding the lower hinge bracket on before doing that. Though welding it on would not allow further shimming if needed so I getting the backing plate would be preferable.

 

[EPB72]

I assume the little pockets that hold these plates in place are visible if the fender is removed? Not that I really want to do that.

If you pull the fender all you will see is the front side of the door pillar you would still have to cut a hole in that area to have access to the blind cavity ..

 

[broncobuddha]

Ah, got it. I'm going to peek behind the fender and see what kind of rot I have. I'm assuming the tab the holds these in place rusted off.

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[75MIKE]

What it looks like without the skin.

https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306057

 

[broncobuddha]

Interesting. So for mine to have fallen down, at minimum, that bottom shelf must be gone.

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[Yooper74]

I had to replace 2 of mine as the threads were all stripped out.

Here's what I did to get the new ones in

 

[garberz]

You can try sliding it back up the jamb with a strong magnet. I’ve done that with the tailgate backing pieces.

Mark.

 

[broncobuddha]

Nice, Yooper. No point in cutting out that decent metal.

For something the factory didn't consider to be a serviceable item they should have been tacked in at minimum.

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[m_m70]

You can try sliding it back up the jamb with a strong magnet. I’ve done that with the tailgate backing pieces.

Mark.

^^This worked for me ^^

 

[mp]

Nice, Yooper. No point in cutting out that decent metal.

For something the factory didn't consider to be a serviceable item they should have been tacked in at minimum.

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They were designed to float, for door gap adjustability. If they were tacked in, the adjustability would be lost.

 

[broncobuddha]

Ah. I figured all of the adjustability would be on the outside but it makes sense.

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[broncobuddha]

So I checked and the front and back of both A pillars are solid. There's holes at the bottom. Is that rot or were they there to let any water drip out?

Regardless, on the driver's side if I stick my finger up from the bottom I can feel the plate. I might be able to push it up while trying to grab it from above.

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[75MIKE]

So I checked and the front and back of both A pillars are solid. There's holes at the bottom. Is that rot or were they there to let any water drip out?

Regardless, on the driver's side if I stick my finger up from the bottom I can feel the plate. I might be able to push it up while trying to grab it from above.

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It's rot.

 

[pcf_mark]

This is pure torture but you can fish it back up. I had my top one fall down. I used mangled coat hangers get it into a decent spot. Then I threaded a stud into it so I had a handle to work with. It took hours but the stud made it easy to hold on to. Then I put the door back on over the stud with a nut. Then I lined up the other holes put bolts in them. Then I took the stud out and put that last bolt in. I just have to remember some day if I ever take the door off!

FYI magnets suck because they stick to everything everywhere in the pocket.

 

[broncobuddha]

Thanks guys. I've got a quick release hing set en route from Tom's.

I plan on trying to fish it back up today. My other fun issue is on the passenger side where the top backing plate has one bolt in it and two snapped off bolts that I'll have to drill out. Fun.

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[broncobuddha]

Got it.

Used an extendable magnet to push it up, then I hooked an allen wrench into it to hold it while I got a bolt started.

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[Howard2x4x4]

Congrats!