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Car Doors

bcloughbclough Member Posts: 97
edited April 2014 in Mercury
An elderly friend of mine is having problems with the door of her Mercury Marquis. The hinges seem to be very stiff and uncooperative, so that the door resists opening and closing. She suggested 3-in-1 oil; others suggested WD-40 or spray silicon. Before she applies all three, I told her to wait while I asked here. Which would be the best for her to try?

Brenda
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Comments

  • lancerfixerlancerfixer Member Posts: 1,284
    Do NOT use WD-40. It will act as a solvent to the grease that's already there. I suggest taking the car to the dealer and having the hinges lubricated, or at least finding out what the dealer uses and doing it yourself. Please don't think me insensitive, but if your friend had trouble opening and closing the doors of her car, can she really be physically fit enough to even drive? Would she be able to maneuver the car quickly in an emergency?
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    The first thing I'd try would be some WD-40; use the little extension tube and shoot the stuff into all the nooks and crannies of the hinge. How old is the car? An older car may have significant corrosion or wear in the hinges themselves.
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    I doubt that any grease is in there. Once it's freed up some spray lithium grease should be applied.
  • ls1v8ls1v8 Member Posts: 34
    Hinge replacement surgery? After years of metal on metal action without sufficient lubrication surface wear increases and can cause failure. Also on heavy doors the weight can cause tensile wear on the hinge causing the appendage to droop and become locked in the open, fully extended position. Extra force is then needed for return travel of the door to it's closed and locked position.

    But I'd try white lithum grease in a spray can first. Surgery is only a last resort in matters such as this.
  • bcloughbclough Member Posts: 97
    Lancerfixer, she's elderly but not physically incapable, so far as I know. I haven't tried the door myself, so I can't judge how really sticky it is, or whether there's any rust or corrosion. I suggested taking it over to the nearest service station, and handing the guy a ten-spot and having him do something. Spray lithium grease sounds like something they would have right there on hand, and I will tell her to mention it. If that didn't help, then she'd have to take it to the dealer.

    Brenda
This discussion has been closed.

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