The rear doors on my 2015 JKU Sport S were starting to get very stiff and difficult to swing open and closed.
So I decided to take the rear doors off to see what was going on and to try and remedy the issue. After a herculean effort, and a near hernia, I was able to get both doors off. Luckily no damage, though I almost dropped the first door when it finally let go.
After I removed the doors I could see that there was a thin black plastic liner coating the interior of the aluminum hinge liners. This plastic was starting to shred inside the hinge liner and was bunching up, folding over itself, causing added friction to the door hinge. It looks like the hinge pins are also coated with this black plastic. It almost looks sprayed on.
I was able to peal all of the plastic out of all the hinge liners, cleaned it up and lubricated with white lithium grease. The doors went back on easily and now the doors are as smooth as silk. I can close and latch the doors with two fingers. It's actually better than new now.
Questions:
Do all stock hinges have this plastic liner inside the aluminum liners?
I don't remember anyone mentioning this in other door removal and hinge liner threads.
Will I be OK leaving the hinges as as they are, with the plastic removed, and maybe just relube every year?
I know I could remove the stock aluminum liners and replace with delrin liners but I'd rather not at this time.
Thanks.
So I decided to take the rear doors off to see what was going on and to try and remedy the issue. After a herculean effort, and a near hernia, I was able to get both doors off. Luckily no damage, though I almost dropped the first door when it finally let go.
After I removed the doors I could see that there was a thin black plastic liner coating the interior of the aluminum hinge liners. This plastic was starting to shred inside the hinge liner and was bunching up, folding over itself, causing added friction to the door hinge. It looks like the hinge pins are also coated with this black plastic. It almost looks sprayed on.
I was able to peal all of the plastic out of all the hinge liners, cleaned it up and lubricated with white lithium grease. The doors went back on easily and now the doors are as smooth as silk. I can close and latch the doors with two fingers. It's actually better than new now.
Questions:
Do all stock hinges have this plastic liner inside the aluminum liners?
I don't remember anyone mentioning this in other door removal and hinge liner threads.
Will I be OK leaving the hinges as as they are, with the plastic removed, and maybe just relube every year?
I know I could remove the stock aluminum liners and replace with delrin liners but I'd rather not at this time.
Thanks.