How to Change Door Hinge Pins

When you are painting a door or door frame, it is often easier to do so if you have removed the door from its hinges. You may also choose to replace your door hinges and pins when you redecorate, to add hinges that match your new decor. Learning to change your own hinge pins rather than hiring a handyman can save you money, as well as giving you the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver (flat tip)
• Mallet or hammer

Removing the Hinge Pins

1. Stand on the side of the door where you can see the hinges and their related pins. The hinges are flat metal plates that attach to the door and to the frame, usually with three screws each. The hinge pin is cylindrical and holds the two metal plates together The head of the hinge pin will be larger than the rest of the pin to prevent it from falling through the hole in the hinges.

2. Shut the door so that it is held up by the latch inside the strikeplate.

3. Place the tip of your screwdriver against the bottom of the head of one of the hinge pins. For the top hinge, you may also be able to place the screwdriver at the bottom of the hinge pin itself. However, for the bottom hinge, you can rarely fit your screwdriver completely under the hinge, so you must use the head of the pin.

4. Tap the end of your screwdriver with the mallet or hammer.

5. When the pin pops lopse, pull it all the way out of the hinge. Repeat steps 3 through 5 with the other hinge.

6. Once you have taken the door out of the frame, place the pins back in the hinges to keep them from getting lost.

Resetting the Hinge Pins

7. Remove the pins from where you have stored them in the hinges.

8. Position the door in its frame.

9. With the door open, fit together the two sides of the hinges, lining up the holes for the pin.

10. Place the hinge pin into the hole, head end up, sliding the pin as far into the hole as it will go easily.

11. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other hinge.

12. Use your hammer or mallet to seat the pins all the way into the holes.

Tips & Warnings

• It is much easier to replace hinge pins if you have a second person helping you to support the door, particularly when you are re-mounting the door. If you do not have help, try supporting the door on the tips of your shoes to correctly align it with the frame. Make sure you are standing on the side of the door that has the lower floor level. Once you have set the hinges together, you should be able to leave the door alone while you place the pins, as long as you don't jar it too much. For hinges that are really tight, if you cannot get the hinge pin back in from the top of the hinge, try greasing the pin with WD-40 or petroleum jelly before you put it back into the hinge. If that still doesn't work, try putting the pin in from the bottom. The tight hinge will keep it from falling out.
• Be careful not to bend the hinge pins while you are removing them and while you have them out. Otherwise, it will be nearly impossible to get them back in.

Resources

• Over 2600 different hinges in stock
• Decorative and functional door hinges
• Informative article on door hinges

[jbrown13]

on 11/5/2009 i found www.hingedummy.info as well, great step by step with picture instructions