Bay doors rubber hinges

Tedsoldbus · December 23, 2021, 04:28:35 PM

I have swing open bay doors. Two of the rubber hinges are cracking a bit. I don't think I need to replace them yet, but how ugly is it to do that and is the rubber hard to get? I looked at them closely and it looks like a pressed fitting. Not just slide it out, slide in the new one.
Anyone replaced them with an SS piano hinge or something more permanent?

windtrader · December 23, 2021, 06:59:23 PM

I replaced a rubber hinge on the battery door on mine with SS piano hinges. Works just fine and still looking new. Blends right in as the surrounding surface is SS.

Dave5Cs · December 24, 2021, 10:04:54 AM

ME too. SS piano hinge HD. going on 12 years and still works well.

Tedsoldbus · December 24, 2021, 10:45:07 AM

Sounds smart. So who is closer for me to fly here to supervise. Supervisor's lawn chair and bottomless Keg provided....
I think I'm a ways out on needing to do it, but I think Buswarrior said "you get grumpy if there is nothing to fix".
Where did you source a hinge that can take the weight? Will ask more details on how you attached it and for pictures on PM when I get closer. Right now pouring the slab right after New Years for the bus barn (or "Shrine" as Rita calls it.). She also calls it the Bus-mahol. She is also the one who named our bus "debt". I keep telling her it is just money. We have no kids and her favorite niece who is graduating Rutgers just got a nose ring right before graduation pictures....
Call me old, but I don't need to leave her money.

RJ · December 24, 2021, 10:10:11 PM

Quote from: Tedsoldbus on December 24, 2021, 10:45:07 AM
Where did you source a hinge that can take the weight? Will ask more details on how you attached it and for pictures on PM when I get closer.

Ted -

You can order the rubber hinge material from Luke at US Coach in NJ: 1-888-262-2434

The late Ed Gallant used to make the SS hinges for GM Coaches, kept him real busy in his retirement years. Sadly, nobody has picked up the ball after he passed. . .

Many GM owners who's coaches have bay doors similar to yours, have found that a single 6" SS hinge on each end of the door, with the stock rubber hinge in between, has worked reliably for years. It's also crucial that the hinge track on the door be perfectly straight, otherwise torn hinges result. Several folk have also mentioned over the years that if you've got a single gas strut supporting the door when it's open, those are also prone to tearing the rubber hinges.

FWIW & HTH. . .

RJ

richard5933 · December 25, 2021, 03:54:32 AM

Not sure if it's the same process as on a 4106, but we replaced the rubber hinge in a couple of the larger doors on ours with relative ease. Once you get the process down it's not bad if you have adequate help.

Tedsoldbus · December 25, 2021, 08:51:12 AM

Thanks guys. I have good shocks on each door. Previous owner replaced I think all of them. He was that way. If one was weak he'd order 15. Good guy to buy something from. I like the SS idea as it is permanent but I have paint down the side on 4 of the doors and the hinge would stand out a bit unless I changed all of them. Perhaps the rubber is better? I have a few cracks in two doors on just one side. The two that are cracked have been hit by the sun for the year I have been not getting the bus barn up. Me thiketh this old girl was in a garage it's whole life when not on the road and hot sun on this 42 year old bus is hard on it. Especially old rubber. I will record who has experience on each method and get back to you.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas.