Hood Hinge Rod Removal

Mikeinnj

Mikeinnj

Well-known member
I have a 30-31 hood and am trying to remove the center hinge rod. I have tried the method of spinning it in a slow drill with no success, as it will not spin at all. The hood moves freely on the hinges but it will not come out. I have soaked the hinges and rod with rust buster but to no avail. Has anyone overcome the same problem ? ...Thanks !
 
Keep soaking in a rust penetrating oil and make sure then that both sides turns against the hinge. It should eventually work with the drill method. That's what I'd do, others may have different methods.
 
I believe the center "rod' is a rolled piece of metal not solid like the two side hinge rods. Keep soaking it with rust buster, tap on it from both ends, and check to see if you can pry on the inside of each section of hinge from the inside.
 
Electrolytic rust removal methods (search on the Net under these terms) can remove rust and will almost certainly loosen it up. What is happening is you're converting "red rust" into "black rust" which physically occupies less space than the red version.

Of course you'll ruin the finish as well.

Joe K
 
I would cut a sharp step into a rod or bolt, to use it as a driver. I wonder if the rod has any ridges worn into it that are catching on the hood sections of the hinge? Door hinges do this, but I can't imaging the hood hinge getting that much wear.
 
It is hard to get a tight grip on the hollow hinge rod as it is.Find a metal rod or a bolt with the head cut off that fits inside the rod.Tap that in and you can squeeze as tight as you want without crushing the rod.
 
Try mixing acetone and ATF 50/50 and possibly "washing" the section with a brush, or soak the hood hinge area.
paul in CT
 
First of all, determine if one or both sides are frozen (rusted to the rod) I recently had the same problem. I found one side was frre and the other frozen and I used a push rod with a turned down end to push oiut the hood rod. After soaking with everthing everybody has suggested i used an acetylene torch and a small tip and on the inside heated every other curved tab (the frozen side) and clamped a block of wood on the edge of the bench to hold the hood from moving. While still hot another person tapped on the hood rod and it started to move. (one person heating anothe hitting) The trouble with using the drill idea is if it is frozen it can twist off the end tabs and do some damage. I hope this helps as I got it out and it worked well. Sometimes heat is the only way. What is the first tool to buy when working on an old Model A.....an acetylene torch to help make it come apart
 
Instead of trying to very slowly remove the rod which you attach to the drill, I used an electric instead of a battery operated drill and gave it full power. It immediately broke loose.
Al
 
I wound up having to lock onto mine with a vicegrips and hammer the thing out. It ruined the rod, but did not hurt the hood.

The rods can be replaced pretty easy still.
 
i had a stubborn one so i got a large cement mixing tub and put some evaporust in it, folded and propped the hood in it and let it soak for 24hrs. then got two drills on on each end and it broke loose.....
 
Mitch//pa said:
i had a stubborn one so i got a large cement mixing tub and put some evaporust in it, folded and propped the hood in it and let it soak for 24hrs. then got two drills on on each end and it broke loose.....
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How in the heck can you get 2 drills on each end???:confused: You can't even get 1 drill on EACH end. Am I missing something??:confused::confused::confused: Bill W.
 
on mine I noted it depended on the direction of the drill. since the rod is split by turning it one way the pin will actually expand. making it more difficult to remove. I used a good of vise grips. I cut off a nail slid it inside the hinge so when I clamped down with the vise grips it didn't pinch the rod. by using the vise grips It allowed my to pull back and twist at the same time. with a little effort it came right out
 
Mitch//pa said:
Sorry bill typo, one on each side using a collet chuck
hope i didn't keep you up all night lol :D
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I was up half the night cookin' carb bodies & an EXPENSIVE cast iron grille/Pannini press skillet that was crusty & neglected! Self cleaning oven brought them back to BARE METAL, beautifully!! (House still STINKS!) Bill W.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions Fordbarners ! After spraying the hood hinges with rust buster and letting them soak overnight today I applied mild heat to the hinges and I was able to insert a bolt and tap and twist the hinge rod out 2 inches. More soaking tonight and more tapping tomorrow with a longer drift should do the trick. Thanks again everyone.
 
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