Oh boy: Door brake/hinge failure

[Denton]

My driver's door brake/hinge has been messed up for as long as I've had the car. You could see where the door brake was going into the soft metal of the door. The hinge made noise for a while, a bad knocking-type of noise.

When the car was in the shop for the fuel pump, the hinge failed on the mechanic. The door wouldn't shut. He had to remove the door and cut the hinge off! I can't believe it!

So now no door brake until I can get it to a bodyshop. I also need a new door brake and pin.

I know about the KMS reinforcement plates, are those necessary? What else do I need to order?

Thanks!

[Evan]

Can you take a photo of it and let us see the damage, if any?

[Denton]

Can you take a photo of it and let us see the damage, if any?

My camera was stolen...I'll try to get a hold of one tonight or tomorrow.

The goldish hinge and black boot are gone. The metal on the door is gashed/ripped. Paint flaking from where the metal was pushed in.

Basically, now the door has no resistance. Since there's no door brake, you have to be careful and always have the door under your control...don't let it go too far!

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

A good body shop could fabricate a panel and repair the door.

the KMS fix is more of a DIY bolt on thing reinforcing the section that blew out.

[Denton]

A good body shop could fabricate a panel and repair the door.

the KMS fix is more of a DIY bolt on thing reinforcing the section that blew out.

Ahh, thanks!

The good Euro shop recommended a bodyshop that's done a few of these. We'll see what he says. I have no idea of how much this will cost!

[t.wak]

How'd you go? Mine just broke!!! Ripping it apart today to see what's up.

[t.wak]

Pulled mine apart and found that one screw is still where it belongs whereas the other screw has ripped thru the metal

Got some photos so will upload soon. As far as getting it out, I haven't tried yet. How do you get the pin out of the door brake so I can remove it? Just with a hammer?

[t.wak]

[BFEINZIMER]

so those kms things r legit?

[t.wak]

As you can see, it's an obvious design flaw. I think I'll probably just reinforce with larger washers instead of making up a bracket, but first things first: removing that damn brake and seeing if it's damaged too.