Removing Stuck Doors

[Al T]

My daughter has a 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4 door. She has the dreaded stuck doors. I’m in the process of trying to get them loose so I can change the OEM bushings on the hinges. I started with the passenger rear which was the worst of the 4 doors. I’ve been soaking with PB Blaster and trying to drive the door portion of the hinges up (yes the retainer nuts have been loosened). They are really stuck, but I seem to be getting some movement. If I’m unable to get the hinges free to remove the door and replace the bushings, has anyone actually unbolted the hinge from the B pillar and disassembled the hinge off the truck?
Just wondering if I would be creating more of a problem.

Thanks in advance.

Allan

 

[Cimmerian]

Stick a block of wood on a jack, place it under the door, and jack it up until it loosens. Make sure the bolts in the door are removed first, obviously.

 

[Al T]

I’ve been doing that, but have heard there is the danger of bending the hinges when they’re stuck.

 

[Danarch]

Spray some PB Blaster and let it soak for a little bit. Move the door back and forth, that seems to help sometimes.

On the jack, I would place it as close to the hinges as possible so the pressure is more straight up on them.

 

[Cimmerian]

I’ve been doing that, but have heard there is the danger of bending the hinges when they’re stuck.

That sounds like a JL thing to me, but I wouldn't discount the possibility.

At the very least, hinges are cheap.

 

[pc1p]

Having the same issue with mine... I've tried all the tricks, including the previously mentioned diligent use of a wood block. I notice the hinges are deforming too with zero movement.

I'm at the point now where I'm looking to buy the set of stainless hinges and painting them to match...

 

[Cimmerian]

Having the same issue with mine... I've tried all the tricks, including the previously mentioned diligent use of a wood block. I notice the hinges are deforming too with zero movement.

I'm at the point now where I'm looking to buy the set of stainless hinges and painting them to match...

So basically the door is bonding to the hinge?

 

[pc1p]

So basically the door is bonding to the hinge?

The door is acting as a lever on the hinge, instead of "popping" the pin up, even with the block of wood incredibly close to the pin itself, it's causing it to twist the hinges at the center...

 

[WSS]

Try Kroil, it seems to work better than PB blaster most of the time. From what I hear, Kroil is a trans fluid and acetone mix.

Don't floor jack too much, maybe lift 3". So measure resting height and go up from there. Do this in about the 45 degree door open spot, then wiggle the door slightly, maybe a few inches back and forth. Basically enough wiggle to create movement but not enough to fall off the block or jack. Watch the hinge are, see if any movement upwards starts.