I was just wondering if the door hinges on my 97 Cougar can be replaced. I was looking at it today and I am not sure how to do it. I was told that I needed new hinges, is that true?

 

if the hinges are bolted on and don''t move around, does the door not hit the catch bolt right? the problem with changing the hinges is that you have to be able to get a wrench on the bolts. you generally have to take the door off first and then take the hinges off the car. it can be done if they''re bolt-on types. if the door wiggle in the hinge itself, it''s say they''re fine. check the bolts to make sure they''re tight though. if the door is not shutting properly you may have to loosen the hinges and realign the door (I had to do this on my MGM some of the bolts were loose and the doors had dropped a little).

 

Ok, the hinges are bolted on and are tight. the only movement is coming from the pins. How do you replace the pins? The door opens and closes no problem, just the guy wants me to replace the hinges for the safety, which I think is a load of BS. They thought they could soak me for $400.00 to do it. I think if I can replace the pins and bushings, it will be fine.

 

if it''s a design where the pins will come out without special tools, sure... you''ll need something (like a friend) to prop the door up and stabilize it with (stack of wood to prop the door up and friend to hold her steady)

I''m thinking a hard steel rod smaller than the pin and a C-clamp might work (or hammer if you''re a good aim or not afraid of damaging the door under the hinge). If it''s one of the easy ones, you can tap it and just life the pin out or remove a clip at the bottom and lift it out. I would try to figure out how to remove the pic first to see if it is even replaceable and check with parts places to make sure you can get the replacements.