lexus600hl

I have two idential cars - 2008 LS 600 HLs.
On Car1, the front passenger door seems tight to close. Car1 is used more than Car2. I barely use the passenger side door on Car2 and all of its doors are perfectly fine.

Considering that they actually are identical cars, I wonder why one of the hinge is so tight. The dealer says its a common problem and that I would need new hinges (which need to be painted). Have any of you experienced the same problem?

Car1 door passenger door hinge is not bad but its a bit tight. I put WD 40 on the hinges, for two consecutive days.. but I don't think it is helping much, if any. I don't think the oil is getting into the hinge's shaft area.

Would it make sense to remove one door hinge at a time and soak it in oil, so that the oil would penetrate? If so, what type of oil should I buy?

Is it easy to remove the door hinge? Would there be any door alignment issues, if I remove one hinge at a time?

wchain

Youll have to remove the door and the wiring, and then re-install and hope you get the alignment right. If you're not a paint and body man, this is probably not a DIY project.

lexus600hl

Why would I want to remove the door? My question was - what about removing one hinge at a time? Would there be alignment issues for that?

caha14

There's only two hinges, so I would imagine that there would be a need to adjust the alignment again even if you do one at a time. You may not need to remove the door but will probably need to add support whenever a hinge is off.

Shibumi1

you can swap a hinge in short order.. the door doesnt need to come off.. i've swapped hinges on 3 of the 4 doors. any bodyshop can do it.. the hinges come unpainted (about $80 each) no need to realign as long as you remove the 1 at a time..

lexus600hl

If I remove one hinge at a time, there won't be any alignment issues? Do the hinges goback to a predermined position without "wiggle room"?

Shibumi1

the rear doors stay closed so the latch helps support the weight.. the front doors, use a floor jack and a 2x4 to support the door while swapping hinges.. make sure they are fully torqued down before u do the 2nd hinge on each door.. its my experience that the lower hinge in front goes bad, whilst the upper in the rears go bad..

i'm doin some body mods soon.. so i'll swap the last door then..just so i know they are all 100%

ElliotB

There are several super 'slick' lubricants on the market. Have you already tried any of them?

lexus600hl

Good idea.. I am trying one. Maybe I should try another..

Shibumi1

wont do any good.. just going to get worse. my help at 1st but at weeks end.. back to stiff... i tried WD40,Prolong,white lithium grease,spray silicon lube... none lasted.. the hinges are $80 ea... a drop in the bucket to have peace of mind.. its REALLY EMBARRASSING when your 12yo god daughter can't pull the door closed..

lexus600hl

Probably a lot more than $80.. By the time the painting is done.. More like $300 to $500? I didn't get an estimate

ElliotB

I would at least try it (a super lubricant) first before I went to the trouble and expense of replacing the hinges - it may work...

lexus600hl

I am going to try Blaster 16-PB Penetrating Catalyst and see what happens..

ElliotB

There are many - here is a link to one:

http://www.superslickstuff.com/categ...t-Uses/Hinges/



Have you asked your dealer for assistance with this matter, and if so, what was their response?

lexus600hl

I will get this also.. dealer said he would be happy to replace the hinges and that it is a common problem.. I know the dealer well. They would do it for free if I ask but I won't ask.. I would rather ask for bigger things than this small item..