MOPAR Leo has retired.

[cruiser]

I just heard back from MOPAR Leo (the famous high quality door hinge rebuilder) that he is officially retired. I contacted him yesterday to inquire about rebuilding the hinges on my 1974 Duster. So that leaves the hobby without a really good rebuilding service, sadly. Now the options are few - probably just try to do the rebuild yourself with a Dorman kit, although I would probably goof it up. In any case, just wanted to put the word out that Leo is no longer doing rebuilds if you're thinking about contacting him. Seems like a really nice fella, too bad we lost his service.

 

[Heywodja]

Dang, I have a set I was holding onto so he could recover from a recent health issue. I wish him well in his retirement. @MoparLeo

 

[Dartswinger70]

I had restored mine years ago with the Dorman kit , I do not recall it being difficult maybe time consuming as I had disassembled the hinges ,drilled for the bushing, glass beaded primed and painted them. i do think if someone got into doing them the process would get quicker its mostly waiting for the paint to dry really.

 

[CFD244]

@RAT ROD AL Might be a good side hustle for you Al. Would compliment your control arm re-furbing.

There's this too POOR MAN'S HINGE REPAIR

 

[Dartswinger70]

A body hood hinges need rebuilding too they blow the metal out on the hood when they go bad.

 

[Darter6]

Nice guy Leo. Bought from him over the years. Best wishes.

 

[mopowers]

That's too bad. I've heard really good things about his work. Good for him for retiring though.

The restorick kit is a decent option: Restorations by Rick Kreuziger - Product and Component Restoration Detailed Information

It's worked great on the couple I've done. The only couple of issues I've run into is when the roller pins are worn, but those are easy enough to remake if you get creative. Plus, it looks like restorick even sells those now.

Also, if you've got to do any repairs to the hinge body themselves. I had one that needed a touch of weld and a little grinding. No biggie though.

Aren't they even reproducing these hinges these days? I wonder how good those are.

 

[toolmanmike]

Congrats on your retirement Leo.

 

[MoparLeo]

Thanks, feel sorry for the hole I left in the Hobby.

My advice is to avoid "pin and bushing" kits like the PLAGUE !! They cause you to destroy good parts..
The factory did not design the lower hinges to accept a bushing so it will not fit without you having to cause irreversible damage to the door side part of the hinge. Wonder why they just come in a bag with no instructions ?
These are not factory designed parts but common size bushings and used in the upper hinges and also universal sized pins.

I would recommend RestoRick to be the next best out there. He does use proper oversized pins but if you buy his kit, he will ship with a double oversized pin to be sure it fits. Problem is that a lot of extra pin support metal is removed for most hinges because most don't need that big of a pin. Like boring your cylinders and extra .010 that they didn't need.

A 3/8 diameter, hardened pin works on most worn lower hinges. Drill to 23/32 and ream to .375 .

Can't help you on the door stop pins, My parts supplier was the mfg of this part and has closed shop.

I can be reached for info by PM here.

I have reprints of the Factory Service Manual pages covering removal and reinstallation of the front door hinges for A,B and E -body cars..

Below, pictures on theft of pin and bushing repairs. 3rd picture to the right, a proper oversized pin replacement

Thanks for everyone's business and kind words of support over the years.
MoparLeo