How to Lubricate Jeep Wrangler Doors

Jeep Wranglers feature take-off doors unlike many other vehicles in its class. To effectively do so, you should maintain the lubrication to the door hinges and retaining nuts and bolts in order to assist in the removal process. Even of you don't remove the doors to your Wrangler, the hinge joints can become dry and begin emitting annoying creaks and squeaks when opening and closing the doors. Maintaining the lubrication of the doors is easy and, depending on the type of lubricant used, should be done between two to four times a year.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Penetrating lubricant
• White lithium spray lubricant
• Graphite lubricant compound
• Bench grinder with a wire brush wheel
• Box-end wrench set
• Ratchet and socket set
• Hot soapy water

1. Open the driver's side door until the black stop-strap is fully extended. Spray the hinge and retaining bolts and nuts with a penetrating lubricant and allow a few minutes for the oil to penetrate.

2. Remove the black stop-strap retainers. Remove the hinge bolts using a box-end wrench to hold the head of the bolt and a ratchet and socket to remove the retaining nut beneath the hinge. Remove the bolt. If necessary, use a wire brush wheel on a bench grinder to clean any corrosion, rust or dirt on the surface of the bolt.

3. Lift the door off the hinge and set it aside. Clean the mating surfaces of the hinges on both the door and the door frame with hot, soapy water. Rinse and allow the surfaces to dry.

4. Spray a thin application of lithium grease on the mating surface of the hinge on both the door and the door frame.

5. Apply a liberal coat of graphite lubricant compound to the threads of the hinge bolts. Reinstall the door and fasten the bolts and nuts.

6. Reattach the black stop-strap retainers. Swing the door back and forth several times to allow the lubricants to set in.

7. Repeat the procedure on the passenger-side door.

Tips & Warnings

• Removing the door may not be easy if you've never had them off. But by following this procedure, they'll come off much easier next time.

References

• Lubricate Hinges, Latches and Locks On Your Car

Who Can Help Sponsored