Installing Door Hinges in wood frame car

[Bruce_C]

I'm at the stage of putting the doors back on my 1928 Pontiac landau after paint.  I didn't replace the wood in the car, because it was in surprisingly good shape.  There are a few cracks around the screw holes for the door hinges.  What can I fill them in with ?  Simple epoxy, and redrill pilot holes ?  In  some cases, it looks like I can drill thru the wood and put in a bolt instead of a screw.

 

thanks in advance for any advice

Bruce

[jan arnett (2)]

Get some Kwik Poly and tooth picks.

[1937-44]

 The bolt idea sounds like a good idea as long as the head won't be in the way. Other issue with is if you use bolts are you going to be able to remove the door in the future without tearing apart the interior if needed?

 

 I've glued  toothpicks in the hole and that has worked fine. I've also plugged the hole  with a dowel rod glued it in place and then redrilled for the wood screws.

 

Carl

[Spinneyhill]

The trouble with tooth picks and dowels is that you will then be putting your screw in end grain, which is not as strong as across the grain. For best results you should make your own dowels across the grain.

 

I would be looking for something I could inject with pressure to ensure the cracks are fully filled and glued together.

Edited July 25, 2018 by Spinneyhill (see edit history)

[Bruce_C]

thank you very much for all the answers.  I have used kwikploy in the past with good results.

 

Bruce

[pmhowe]

Hi Bruce,

 

I have had several cars with door sag problems, a result of wood screws pulling loose. I think with the high loading swinging doors cause, wood screws will always work loose.  The approach recommended to me (and I have used successfully) is to use a small steel backing plate. Drill and thread the plate so that machine screws placed through your hinges and through the wood body parts can engage them. I used stainless steel machine screws, mainly for looks, but also for rust prevention. It is an easy afternoon job, after measuring and buying the parts.  Good luck. Tell us your solution.

 

Phil

[Friartuck]

If you have access to the area behind the wood, suggest using thick plate with threaded holes to create blind nuts. Otherwise, Kwik Poly and dowels and redrill.