1996 850 removing door can't lift it off Topic is solved

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Oct 2016, 12:41

I am swapping some front (driver's) doors today. Have run into a door I can't lift off after removing the E-torx stop bolts, apparently the lower pin has too much corrosion. The top pin seems looser. So far I have moved the door/pins up like 2 mm.

Not sure what is the best way forward, any clever (or even brute-force!) ideas?

- It's tough to get much leverage in there on the body-mounted hinges, plus I don't want to break or damage them.

- I've tried jacking up the door, that doesn't seem to help it just lifts the car. The small gains I have made have came from lifting and jiggling, and/or prying at the hinge. Anyway it is sitting on the jack now, just a slight lift, while I take a break.

- Started putting heat in there one the hinge surrounding the pin, will try that a bit more when I go back at it.

- Tried squeezing the pin up through the hinge using huge channel locks, seems futile. Can't get a hammer blow in any apparently useful direction, have whacked on the end of the pry bar a few times.

- I'm using penetrating oil.

Covert · Post by **Covert** » 16 Oct 2016, 13:17

Can you not just unbolt it rather than trying to remove the hinges ?

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Oct 2016, 13:38

Yeah that maybe would have been next, thank you.

Got it - wiggle pry, tap, wiggle pry, heat, tap tap, repeat ... pop it back down, try again, got it.

Post by **sleddriver** » 16 Oct 2016, 16:45

Glad to hear you found success!

I wish I'd known years ago just how easy it is to remove the front doors. Sure would have made some work MUCH easier. I was visiting with my indy while he removed one and I just stood there shocked. WTH? He saw the look on my (amazed) face and laughed!

Wow.....