I need to replace the detent roller on my 82 door hinge. Does anyone know how to remove the small pin (splined) that is driven through the roller and into the hinge pin?
Ken
1982 Z-28
LU5 w/ T5

anyone ever have a solution for this?

i know how to remove it

It's not easy to remove it. I've done it twice on custoers cars. You have to remove the lower pin, then un-bolt the A-pillar half of the hinge. Grind off the top of the detent pin to remove the old roller. Now comes the fun part. Spry the pin with a penetrating oil such as PB Blaster or Aero-Kroil (WD-40 isn't going to cut it). I have a rather large 8" bench vise I use. I mount the pin in the vise jaws leaving a gap just big enough to fit the pry bar that is included with the pin-popper I sell. Then I beat on the pry bar with a hammer back and forth until I get some movement of the pin. Once it has moved some I'll re-set the pin in the bench vise jaws, again leaving just enough of a gap to fit the pry bar. The first time I used this method I finally got the pin out after about 15 minutes of beating on it. I had to keep turning the pry bar around since beating on it would bend it (unhardened steel).

The second time I tried this method I gave up since I got no movement of the pin and was just bending the pry bar (and wearing myself out). I resorted to cutting a slot in the larger diameter column that the pin is pressed into using a fiber-reinforced abrasive cutoff wheel in a Dremel tool. Cut the slot all the way down to the smaller pin to relieve pressure of the press-fit. You'll still have to pry it out, but it takes a lot less force.

Of the two methods, this is the method I'd recommend. After I'd removed the old detent pin I welded the slot I'd cut and ground the weld flush. Then I pressed the new pin and roller into the column. Be sure you don't press the pin in too deep or it will impinge on the roller keeping it from rolling freely.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

Where did you guys get the new rollers and pins? I have an 87 that I need to replace the detent rollers on…

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/ind...product_id=291

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Bod...and-roller-kit

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Bod...product_id=290