How to Replace a Door Hinge

Replacing a door hinge is a simple, but potentially intimidating task. A few simple tools, and maybe a few extra hands, are all you need...

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hammer
• Nail Punch
• Screw driver or drill

1. 
   Closed Door

   First, gather your tools! No project starts without them. Plus, you might want to ask a friend to help out.
   
   Start by closing the door you will be working on. Be sure you are on the side with the hinge pins

2. 
   Punch Pins

   To remove the hinge pins, take your hammer and punch to drive them up.

3. 
   Pull Pins

   After you have loosened them with the hammer and punch, you should be able to pull them out by hand.
   
   Here is where a friend may come in handy. Once you remove all the hinge pins, only friction and the door latch are holding the door in place. Have your friend hold the door in place until you are ready to remove it.

4. 
   Remove Door

   Once all the hinge pins have been pulled, remove the door from the jamb. Rest the door against the wall, or the door opening so you can remove the hinges.

5. 
   Remove Hinge From Jamb

   Now, take your screw driver and remove the screws securing the hinge to the door jamb. Then remove the hinge from the jamb.

6. 
   Remove Hinge From Door

   Next, remove the hinge from the door as well.

7. 
   New Hinge

   Now you are ready to install the new hinge. First, determine which side of the hinge is the top. The top side of the hinge will be the side the pin pulls out of.

8. 
   Disassemble Hinge

   Disassemble the new hinge by removing the pin.

9. 
   Install Hinge on Jamb

   Install the hinge half on the door jamb. The jamb hinge half will have the inner pin loops. In this example there are 2 pin loops on the jamb hinge section.

10. 
    Install Hinge on Door

    Next, install the other hinge half to the door. The door hinge half will typically have the outer pin loops. In this example there are 3 pin loops on the door hinge section, one in the center, and two outer pin loops.

11. 

    Now you are ready to reinstall the door. Here is a good place for that friend to help out again. Place the door back in the door jamb, as if the door was closed, aligning the hinge halves together. Reinstall the hinge pins. Open and close the door to be sure it is working properly.

12. Finally, thank your friend for the help. Then, pat yourself on the back for a job well done! What's next on that list?

Tips & Warnings

• Before removing the old hinges, run a razor blade around the hinge to prevent wood or paint to be peeled off when you remove it.
• Make sure you buy new hinges that are the same style as the old. I would recommend you take the old hinges with you to be sure the new ones will fit in the same spot. If not, you will need to do more work than you anticipated...
• Some doors can be deceivingly heavy, like solid wood doors. It's a good idea to have that friend around for an extra set of hands.
• If you have trouble getting the hinge halves to align when reinstalling the door, loosen one of the hinge halves. This will give you a little "wiggle room" to get them to lign up. Just remember to tighten it back up.

[jbrown13]

on 11/5/2009 check out www.hingedummy.info as well, great simple step by step with picture instructions