HELP...Replacing rubber hinges!

[jackhartjr]

Hi folks, I replaced the top hinges a few months back.  DId not have a lot of problems getting the rubber out of the tracks on those.
I am now replacing the bottom hinges.  I am finding that the dirt that has built up between the rubber and the track it slides in makes it hard to get the old rubber out.
Is there something I can spray there that would loosen the dirt overnight to make it easier?
Thanks a ton!
Jack

[gmbusguy1]

Jack, try a sharp utility Knife and cut the old rubber hinge lenghtwise and it should pull out

Chris

[FloridaCliff]

Jack,

What Chris said, I had to run the knife at different angles to get a few out.

They were stuck, but good.

Cliff

[Dreamscape]

Dip your blade it water, makes cutting rubber easier!

[jackhartjr]

Thanks to all, will let you know tomorrow afternoon how it went.
I got lucky, the ones on the right are what I am working on now.  The rear bay door had no rubber on the bus part!
Thanks again!
Jack

[fe2_o3]

    I shredded mine with a broken box knife and vice grips. De-buhred all the screw holes. Cleaned the track with a wire brush. Lubed everything with KY Jelly and slid her on in.
    Side note...Carefull how you get the KY.... I walked in to an all night drug store at 2am and asked the clerk where the KY Jelly was cause I was off the next day and my son was coming over to help. She said she didn't want any trouble and would like me to leave.  The explaination only worked after I showed her a picture of the bus... Some times I forget to think things all the way through......Cable

[Ncbob]

Jack, I feel I should take the advice about the wire brush just a step farther. I used a .30 Caliber brass rifle bore cleaning brush (you Sceni-guys may need a larger caliber) on a cleaning rod and virtually burnished both tracks before attempting the replacement.

KY Jelly? Hmm, that's pretty sophisticated. Plain old dish soap works just as well...but then I've never found a need for that other stuff.

Bob

[jackhartjr]

Hi Bob, and everone!
The hinge is the same, so the 30-Caliber still works fine.

I am amazed in the difference in the top and bottom hinges as far as getting them to come out.

I guess all of the dirt you thrown up from the road goes right to the hinges.

I used lots and lot and lots and lots and lots of Dawn to get the top ones on.  Slid on like greased lightning!

Thanks again, getting ready to go out there now!

Jack

[jackhartjr]

Bob, after working with it a whle, i went to a gun store and bought a 30 caliber wire bruch.  Making all the diference in the wolrd...AFTER...taking Chris, Cliff and Dreamescapes advice on the utility knife!
Thanks to all!
The crud that is in there every foot or so and has to be reamed out is incredible!
Looks like it will take about 3 to 4 hours per lower bay door!
Jack

[Barn Owl]

Couldn't you use a pressure washer to blast the dirt out of the channels?

[jackhartjr]

Hi Larry, it is not dirt.  The best way I can discribe it is this; it's almost like what you see with dissimilar metal to metal contact and you get a swelling that when cleaned comes off like aluminum dust!  If the groove is not totaly clean it will not allow the new rubber hinge to slide in.  Every foot or so I will have this 'aluminum' type buildup that I have to clean out of the grooves.
Jack

[gmbusguy1]

Jack, I use one of those flat wire wheels on a cordless drill. go to the box store and they have smaller wire wheels that fit in the track.

Chris

[kyle4501]

Jack, I feel I should take the advice about the wire brush just a step farther. I used a .30 Caliber brass rifle bore cleaning brush (you Sceni-guys may need a larger caliber) on a cleaning rod and virtually burnished both tracks before attempting the replacement.

KY Jelly? Hmm, that's pretty sophisticated. Plain old dish soap works just as well...but then I've never found a need for that other stuff.

Bob

Hey Bob,
Great idea, and the Scenics are the same size as the others. . . They just seem bigger since we know how to use 'em. 

[Dreamscape]

Whatever you use don't put any burrs in the rail or you will be doing more work.

I used a small screwdriver and lots of elbow grease and patience, but then again mine wasn't that hard to get out.  

Happy Trails,

Paul