My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

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My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #60 – August 08, 2010, 05:53:38 PM

So, I ended up getting the hinge out and not losing the bolt, pictured above. So, with the hinge out, I took the Dremel, hammer, and got to work on changing the guts ...

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #61 – August 08, 2010, 05:55:53 PM

So, I ended up getting the hinge out and not losing the bolt, pictured above. So, with the hinge out, I took the Dremel, hammer, and got to work on changing the guts.

I used the factory jack to hold the door, so I could get the hinge in and out. Andrea helped me position the door so I could get the hinge back in place.

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #62 – August 08, 2010, 05:59:29 PM

I couldn't get to the two bolts at the front of the lower hinge, so I had to spend some time with the box end wrench. Lane (Andrea's older boy) changed out the striker plate for me ...

It went back in a lot easier than when it came out. But, like I said, the next time shouldn't be very hard for me

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #63 – August 08, 2010, 06:03:10 PM

The rebuilt hinge looks good and fits even better. The door closes correctly and didn't need any adjustment. The Jetta sat beside the 'underbird the whole time, as support. Even though I didn't have a whole lot of room to work with, it was still roomier than what the Germans gave in the Volkwagens

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #64 – August 09, 2010, 10:33:36 PM

Thats wierd that your door was sagging...mines older with more miles and my door is fine. They do make a lot of noise though if I dont keep them oiled...

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #65 – August 10, 2010, 05:00:10 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;331330

That's weird that your door was sagging...mines older with more miles and my door is fine. They do make a lot of noise though if I don't keep them oiled...

I guess I was just lucky the brass bushings wore out. It wasn't really all that hard to do, as soon as I had the right tools. If you include the hour trip to Wal*Mart to pick up some attachments for the Dremel, it took me 5 hours to get the door done.

If the striker doesn't have the plastic covering, I would keep an eye on the door's lower hinge, if I were you. That's one of the signs a rebuild may be in store in the near future.

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #66 – August 10, 2010, 11:43:54 PM

Quote from: Scott D;331356

If the striker doesn't have the plastic covering, I would keep an eye on the door's lower hinge, if I were you. That's one of the signs a rebuild may be in store in the near future.

.......uuuhhhhhh.....

I didn't even know there was supposed to be one there!!!

Thats probably why I cant get my 88 to close right too!!!

I went to AZ and got a Ford Door bolt bushing kit but they were WAY too big. Are ours special?

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #67 – August 11, 2010, 07:32:42 AM

most of the time if you have helper to hold the door, you
can mark it and slide it back a little to work on the hinge
without taking it off.there is an attachment for your jack
to hold the door or use a board.hinge pins and bushing are
a pain sometimes as you are finding out. looks like everything is
coming along nicely.

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #68 – August 11, 2010, 07:35:54 PM

Quote from: irv;331450

most of the time if you have helper to hold the door, you
can mark it and slide it back a little to work on the hinge
without taking it off.there is an attachment for your jack
to hold the door or use a board.hinge pins and bushing are
a pain sometimes as you are finding out. looks like everything is
coming along nicely.

I started by using the factory jack, that was in the trunk of the car from the factory ...I jacked up the door until it was level. Then, I removed the kick panel, got the hidden nut, first. Next, I took off the two bolts from the door, itself. Then I loosened the top bolts on the door-side, and jacked the door up a little more so I could get the lower hinge out. Then, I went to Wal*Mart and bought some cutting wheels for my Dremel tool. Then I rebuilt the hinge, then I installed it reverse of how I took it off.

I had my wife move the door open (or closed it somewhat) so I could work the hinge back in, while I slid the jack to keep the door supported.

Over all, not including my trip to Wal*Mart, it was a four hour job. Not bad, considering I didn't have the cool tools that the body shop (that said both upper and lower hinge was going to get replaced, and replace the lock mechanism because it needed it, too, and they were going to do it all for 700$ ...pen 15British cigarettes) has, but it worked :headbang:

When I have to change another one, it should only take half the time ;)

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #69 – August 21, 2010, 03:40:04 PM

Well look what the mail man brought me, today .....

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #70 – August 22, 2010, 05:17:07 PM

I got the regulator rebuilt

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #71 – August 28, 2010, 05:41:43 PM

And the 'underbird was in her first car show ...

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #72 – August 28, 2010, 09:37:46 PM

What a shine! Looks good! How'd you do?

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #73 – August 28, 2010, 09:58:48 PM

What did you compete in? or did you just cruise

My (New to Me) 1997 T-Bird

Reply #74 – August 28, 2010, 10:56:47 PM

Quote from: 1Bad88tbird;333956

What a shine! Looks good! How'd you do?

Thank you, sir. That was a 15 minute wash job I did on the car. I'm still disappointed in it, but it does look nice :)

I just wish I had time to wax it before I went to the show.

Quote from: sarjxxx;333959

What did you compete in? or did you just cruise

To answer your, and the latter of 1b88's question, I was 45 minutes late for registration, so I didn't get to compete for anything :(

The car pictured with mine won the Mayor's Choice Award. It was a CLEAN car, too. I would hate to own it, with its white interior :eek:

The Lumina Z-34, parked on the other side of me, was a nice example of a '92 model. It was a factory 5-speed, too. So, him and I chatted up how our cars (and our - fox t-bird/cougar forum) are too new to be classics and too old to be new. So, right now, we're just children of the automotive world.