Is this a problem hinge situation?

[Tango]

I've been consulting with a member in Ottawa (Peter) about a candidate for my first Spider. It is a fair distance from home, so inspections are a 6 hour round trip. I took a long look at this '81 last Sunday.

Looking at the long thread about cracked hinges, and not having the car handy, I wondered if the crack in the driver door upper hinge shown on these photo's is what all of the discussion is about. The door does move up a bit when you lift it, but you really have to hoist on it, and it opens and closes fine. When you do lift it hard you can see the crack working a bit:

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu15 ... /Fiat3.jpg
http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu15 ... /Fiat4.jpg

Hope the photo posting works...

Great forum, thanks.

Tim

[So Cal Mark]

it's the inner plate of the door that cracks. Flex the door with it wide open. If the movement is behind the upper hinge mounting point, the door is cracked. A good welder can repair the door once it's off, but it is a little tricky depending on how extensive the cracking is.

[mbouse]

just happen to have a detailed step-by-step how to on the repair process. check with your local experienced welder for a class-A minimal intrusion repair job; and expect a smile and a simplistic bill in return:

http://flumichigan.italiancarclub.com/T ... repair.pdf

[ROOK1]

I happen to have a set of Green hinges if you end up needing them.

[Tango]

just happen to have a detailed step-by-step how to on the repair process. check with your local experienced welder for a class-A minimal intrusion repair job; and expect a smile and a simplistic bill in return:

http://flumichigan.italiancarclub.com/T ... repair.pdf

Thank you, I saw the mini-manual. Nice work. I just couldn't somehow associate what I saw in my photo's with what was in your manual's photo's without the actual car in the garage to go look at. Well, its not a deal breaker, I have access to plenty of first class welders if I need it. On the other hand, trying to determine if the evidence of leaks on the candidate car's transmission housing and rear end is causing me lost sleep. If I knew how to get that better diagnosed I could decide on the purchase or at least a reasonable offer.

But I dont mean to steal the thread -- maybe I will start a new one on that question. Wait a minute -- its my own thread, how can I be stealing it?

T

[mbouse]

better to ask a new question in a new thread. i routinely ignore several questions on topics i have no experience in. since your thread says hinge... getting an answer in this thread for a tranny problem from a tranny expert will be a hit and miss situation.

besides, this forum uses cyber-paper, which has no eco impact

[Tango]

Good point... I know better. I am seriously sleep deprived this week.

Tim