How to Remove a Stuck Door Hinge Pin?

The hinge pins are designed for quick removal, and they usually slide out easily when you’re using newer doors and hardware. Removing a door from its hinges can be tricky, especially if the door has been locked for a long time. In this article, we will discuss how to remove the door hinge pin?

Wrong Way to Remove a Hinge Pins

The wrong way is to use old nails or a screwdriver and hammer. Put a screwdriver or nail on the bottom of the hinge, touch the bottom of the hinge pin, and knock it out with a hammer. Some problems may arise if this technique is used. Chances are you hit your finger or hand with the hammer. Or, you could lose control of the nail or screwdriver and end up scratching the jamb around the door. We’ve seen it many times, especially when you’re in a hurry.

Right Way to Remove Hinge Pins

Tool For Removing A Door From Hinges

You will need the following supplies to remove a door:

• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Putty knife
• Pry bar
• Reciprocating saw
• Locking pliers

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Remove A Door From Hinges

It’s much easier to remove a stuck door hinge pin from the hinge, especially if it’s been locked for a long time. Furthermore, the difficulty depends on the general condition and age of the door hinges.

• Gather the right tools

Before you start nudging a stuck door hinge pin, make sure you have all the right tools. You’ll need a wedge, hammer, nail kit, nail punch, and screwdriver to pry the pins. It’s best not to use regular nails to poke the nails out, as the nails often bend. If you’re lucky enough to own one, we recommend the Pin Lifter Hinge Pin Removal Tool.

Hold the door in the stationary position with the bracket

This may not sound that important, but keep the door in a stationary position so you don’t need to hold it yourself.

Also, keep in mind that you will destabilize the door. This means you need something to support the door so that it won’t collapse when you open it. The easiest way is to slide a book or any other hard object under the door. It will provide a solid support surface for your door.

• Cut off the paint layer

Once the door is set in a fixed position, the main process can begin. Start by cutting off the paint layer on top of the door hinges. You can use a sharp knife to carefully slide the blade through the paint layer stuck in the thin space, which is usually a small gap between the hinge plate and the pin.

• Knock the needle out

The next step is to use a pinned ejector or hammer and nail punch to force the needle out. You need to tap the hinge pin up slightly. You can also knock it out with a hammer using the flat end of a screwdriver. Gradually tap the pin with increasing force until the head of the pin is up. To speed up the process, try to use smaller moves instead of one hard hit. Remember that rash and fast tapping speeds can damage the pins.

• Spray lubricating spray

Spray the hinge pins with silicone lubricant. Also, spray it on all moving parts of the door hinges, including the area around them. Wait at least 15 minutes after spraying to allow the liquid to penetrate the hinge and surrounding parts.

You can close the door to reduce the weight on the hinges. Then, start hitting the bottom of the pin with a screwdriver and hammer to help the pin pop out easily.

• Use hot water solution to unplug the pins (optional)

If the above trick fails and the hinge pin doesn’t move, it’s best to use a screwdriver to remove the hinge plate from its jamb. Boil two to three cups of hot water in a saucepan and add three tablespoons of baking powder. Submerge the hinge plate in water and heat it over low heat. Do not stir the baking soda. Let the hinge cook in the water until the paint starts to peel off.

Use pliers to lift the hinge plate out of the water. Then, remove the paint and let it dry. Now tap the hinge pin with a screwdriver and hammer to remove it. The hot water solution loosens the pin’s grip and helps you remove the pin quickly.

• Remove the door

The door can be removed after removing the jammed door hinge pin or another part. Don’t try to do this alone, as the door is heavy and can easily tip over and damage things.

• Using the hinge pin remover

If you find it difficult to perform a given step, the hinge pin remover can simplify the task. It is a latch lifter specially designed for easy removal of door hinge pins. Durable and easy to use, this high-quality hand tool is the right choice for those who are not good at replacing car doors. It consists of nickel plates and sturdy plastic construction to minimize damage. The tool’s wedge pushes the head.

You can also check the following video to learn how to remove hinge pins

How To Replace The Door

If you plan to put the door back, follow these simple steps:

• Raise the door so that it slopes slightly towards the top. This is best done by two people.
• Align the door with the hinges, one hinge at a time.
• Insert a pin into one of the hinges, preferably the top. Tap the pin lightly with a hammer until it is halfway inside the hinge. Proceed to replace the pin in the bottom hinge, then the middle pin.
• Open the door halfway and check that it is working properly. Then, tap the pin to push it all the way into the hinge. The pin head should lie flat on top of the hinge.

Extended Tips

Here are some additional tips to help you get the most out of this project:

• Wash paint on door hinges with hot water.

If the pins cannot be removed from the painted hinges, the hinge set must be unscrewed from the door and door frame. Then, soak the hinges in a stainless steel pot filled with water and baking soda.

Bring the water to a boil or until the paint starts to come off the hinges. Remove the hinges from the pan, wipe off any remaining paint with a rag, pat dry and let cool. You should now be able to knock out the pins using a screwdriver and hammer.

• Use a vise to hold the pin and cover.

Some hinge pins have caps on the top and bottom. To remove the pin, the cover must first be removed. An easy way to do this is to use a pair of vices (also called pliers) to pull out the lower cover. Then, as usual, use a hammer and screwdriver to push out the pins.

What if My Hinge Has a Decorative Bottom Cap?

Some hinges have a decorative bottom cover on the bottom. This can be easily fixed with a flat-blade screwdriver and hammer. Or you can use a hammer to knock off the edge of the pin tool. Once the cover is removed, simply use the pin lifter tool to knock out the pins.

Bottom Line

Overall, removing a stuck door hinge pin can be a daunting task if the hinge plate is old or rusted. The steps given are easy to follow and make removing the hinge pins extremely easy.

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