The pin on the lower hinge of one of my Giulia Super front doors is worn to
the point where it's sloppy, but also it seems quite stuck, and can't be
easily driven out with a hammer and punch. Maybe it has developed a
shoulder offset, or maybe it's just rusted in?
Anyone have experience with getting these out without ruining everything, or
taking the door completely off? I don't want to mess up the hinge and
striker alignment if I can help it. I'm unsure if the whole hinge assembly
bolts to the body, as it does on a Berlina, or if it's welded on. The usual
prescription of penetrating oil, time, heat, and force?
I just looked at two Super front doors removed from the car, had been done
so by unbolting the chassis hinge from the door frame, e.g., the entire
hinge is attached to the door. The reason I did that is because you cannot
disconnect the door side of the hinge from the door. I'm pretty sure you
must remove the door. PITA too, as you must get into the cavity in the
lower side kick panel to reach the nuts that hold the chassis side of the
hinge to the chassis. Oh yeah, I believe the upper hinge is harder than the
lower hinge as it is up at dash level and still behind the kick panel that
must be removed to gain access. It has been several years, but my
recollection is that I could not get at the hinge pins with the door
installed, and that is why the doors are off the chassis via the chassis
attachment. And finally, Ill bet the pin has developed an offset - that
has been my experience.