TECH: The Fix for Sagging 40 Ford Trunk Hinges

1940 Trunk Hinge Fix - All Measurement s Are In Inches

Neither the orginal springs nor the DRAKE replacements I bought about 10 years ago worked. And Bob would not take them back. So last week I decided to fix-it myself. The trunk now stays "UP" after 43 years of me using a stick to hold it. Here are the photos. This took a while , but it worked thanks to an email I got from Harry Goebel, a fellow Fordbarner.

NOTE: When you clamp the springs in the vise and rotate the hinge arms so as to drill the hole for the socket head cap screw and ***emble the metal spacer and screw be very careful not to let the spring "uncoil" and pinch your fingers. Ask me how I know! It is a lot easier and safer if you have a helper to hold the hinge arms while you drill the holes and screw the metal spacer in place.

Distance A is 5/8. Use a Dremel tool and grinding wheel to make the "U" deeper. Check it for fit and depth as you go.

Distance B is 3/4 . If it is longer, more tension is put on the spring. I got the final 3/4 measurement thru trial and error by welding and filing the end of the metal spacer and then installing it in the spring until the 3/4 inch distance betwen the end of the spring curl and the "notch" was obtained. Notice that the metal spacer is bent a little bit to fit properly.

The metal spacer is 1/8 thick x 1/2 wide and 1 11/16 long after being bent a little as shown in the photo. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the end of the metal spacer (that rests inside the spring curl ) be filed "square"so it won't slip out of the spring. I did file a slight radius on the top edge where it contacts the spring. The socket head cap screw is 10-32 and cut to the needed length with a hacksaw. It is tightly threaded into the metal spacer using Loc***e.

When you are done, check the angle of each spring with a sliding -T bevel to make sure they are the same. This ***ures that the same pressure is being applied to each side of your trunk hinge. I mark each hinge to make sure I reinstall them on the correct side of the trunk. The coiled spring faces toward the out side of your car on each side.

BEFORE you paint your hinges install them to make sure they work. I install the bottom bolt first and then the top two hinge bolts.

Hope this helps. 19Fordy

 

Pretty cool trick. When my drake replacements quit working after a week I fixed my originals. One was sprung anyway, so I removed it's spring and installed a sleeve that slides over the two halfs to lock them together when you raise the lid automatically. To lower, you lift the lid a hair, lift the sleeve up, and it closes, like my snap-on box lid.

I was also eyeing up the hood hinges on my '86 Ford truck, they look identical, hold up a heavy hood, and are all over the boneyards. But I never tried adapting them.

 

Sweet! I'll have to try this, as I have used the broomstick method for 23 years too. I got the car when I was 13, and I was cleaning it out, and was litterally knocked inside the trunk the 1st time it hit me. I have only been knocked in the head a couple times by that 150 pound beast since then! The ones on mine coupe came from drake too. They have NEVER held the trunk open on their own. I tried mounting them different ways and everything and they NEVER worked. I have just been to cheap/lazy to go with the gas lifts.

 

Great Tech article Jim...I think I'll pick up one of them there 40 fords just so I can try it out!
I did p*** this on to a couple of my buddies that have 40's. Maybe now the scabs on their head will heal!
Thanks for sharing.
LSM

 

great tech tip. thanks

 

Since this article was first posted i have modified Part B so as to make it work better. I will post the "new and improved" photos tomorrow. Sit tight.

 

It took you 5-1/2 years for an update...and you still couldn't post pics today?

What the heck, Jim...you're too funny!!!

 

Funny, I thought that Henry designed it with a broom stick to hold it up.

 

I wanted to give it time to make sure "new and improved' design works.
Scroll down to message #10 here.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79170&highlight=1940+trunk+supports

 

I think the broomstick was available at the dealer's parts counter, as an"optional accessory" !

4TTRUK

 

Worth a bump back up.

 

I don't know how I have missed so many threads like this over the years. Silver lining ? Always something new when you're slow I guess.

 

Good tech but my Mr 40’s gas rams have worked great for many years.

 

I thought I was the only one with a trunk lid sized bump on the top of my head. Nice simple fix.

-Abone.

 

I also found that if you take a Dremel and make the "U shaped" opening a little deeper,
the hinge will work better.

 

On my " new to me " coupe, I got very lucky and found a NIB pair of "improved" Bob Drake's here on the HAMB, at a GREAT price (1/2). They have a heavier spring and hold up the upholstered lid like magic.