question regarding anti theft security of rubber hinges...

[kyle4501]

The more difficult it is for the thief to get in, the more damage is done.

I had a friend who never locked his car. He said he'd rather not deal with the broken glass. . . . A different way of looking at it, I suppose.

I carry theft & vandalism insurance & hope I don't need it.

My own experience is that my biggest losses are from the damage done, not the stuff taken.
I guess I don't have much worth taking . . . 

The best you can do is make your stuff less attractive to the thieves. . . .

[HighTechRedneck]

The more difficult it is for the thief to get in, the more damage is done.

I had a friend who never locked his car. He said he'd rather not deal with the broken glass. . . . A different way of looking at it, I suppose.

I carry theft & vandalism insurance & hope I don't need it.

My own experience is that my biggest losses are from the damage done, not the stuff taken.
I guess I don't have much worth taking . . . 

The best you can do is make your stuff less attractive to the thieves. . . .

It's a sad truth.  Sometimes it seems like some of the islamic countries have that part right.  Punishment that makes them think twice.  Cut a hand off when they get caught stealing.

[Barn Owl]

Guys,

So some will go through the trouble of adding some sort of "safety" in case of a rotted hinge? Wouldn't it be easier to replace the hinge and maintain it to start with? It's not like you cannot tell when they are past due replacing. It's not that hard to do. What am I missing here?

[Barn Owl]

What concerns me more than my bay security is fuel theft. If someone steals your fuel, there is no way to identify it as yours. Moreover, it is super easy to make it disappear. I have yet to see an inexpensive simple deterrent for that problem with my GM.

[FloridaCliff]

As been said: The doors won't open if the rubber is cut.

My experience has been that that door rubber ALWAYS fails during the opening process!

I have replaced all my top hinges with the stainless and the middle with the rubber.

It is an item that I always carry a spare to replace, its not that hard , but better to practice at home.....

I added cam lock keyed latches to my doors, but nothing will keep out the determined, just the opportunist.

Cliff

[belfert]

Even my Dina has rubber hinges on the battery door and the driver's heater compartment door.  I suppose I better look into replacing those hinges.  I believe those doors latch on the top and bottom on both sides, but I think because of the way they hook that they could come loose if the hinge breaks.

Those doors are almost priceless as there are relatively few scrap Dinas out there and only a slim chance of a new door.

[Gary LaBombard]

Replacing the rubber hinge with replacement rubber hinge is more difficult than you think.  To do alone is possible, I have done it on all 6 doors but with much difficulty.  To have a friend assist and to have 3 of you to replace the hinges is best and easiest. 

Many replace the rubber with stainless hinges, what ever each owner chooses to do is their personal choice.  BUT, replacing the weather checked hinges should be done if you suspect they are showing bad splits from weather check etc.

I still long for the safety factor even if the hinge is not weather checked.  That is my personal desire to have a plan "B".  What ever I do does not mean anyone else has to.
Gary

[Barn Owl]

There are a few access doors on a GM that would be lost if the hinge failed. I have seen a few missing their A/C compartment doors. My bus almost lost that door when my father drove it home for me. Thankfully he ripped it off and put it in a bay because those parts are expensive to replace. Because of the ideas on this post I am going to rig up some type of strap to keep from possibly loosing one. Different reason but using the same concept.

[JohnEd]

Gary,

Very scary story.  Thanks!

John