Door hinge tip.........lessons learned, hard way

[hubiev_89lx]

This week-end I decided to re-align the drivers door. So I removed the inner fender plastic and sprayed WD40 on the bolts, supported the door with a jack, etc. I started to remove the bolts and managed to break all three of the bolts for the upper hinge. So I called the local dealerships and explained what had happened. They both told me that the ONLY way to get the bolts out was to remove the fender and use a screw extractor. I explain that I have a DECH kit, but they both say that there is no way to get at the bracket from the interior. So taking off the fender screws up the kit. But I need the door to work so I have to do it. As I start using the screw extractor the bracket that the bolts are attached to moves....then I see carpet.

If I see carpet then I should be able to get at the bracket from the interior. This is when I fumed. I could indeed reach up inside of the cabin and grab a hold of this bracket. I pulled it out and using two pairs of vise-grips, heat, and muscle got all three of the broken bolts out. I took off the plastic trim and sure enough you can to the hinge backing plate as well.

Lesson 1: Hinge backing plates are accessible from the interior.
Lesson 2: Dealership gurus are not always gurus.