ntmatter

One of the scheduled maintenance items that I've typically skipped are the seemingly minor lubrications - the door seals, hinges, and door locks. I'm about to do a fairly significant maintenance pass (oil, filters, ATF) I'd like to do some of these smaller things as well. Can I confirm that I'm thinking about doing these correctly?

Door seals: Use "wet" silicon on the outside of the door seal rubber to prevent them from squeaking

Door hinges: Apply a small amount of grease into the door hinges and allow it to work its way in

Door latches: Apply (some kind) of lubricant to the door latch moving parts in small amounts, keeping away from the key hole itself.

I've searched here and on p-car and haven't been able to get a good DIY on these types of items - if there's a pointer to specifically how to go through the "inspect all these things" section of the maintenance schedule and to perform the types of maintenance that the dealership service would do I'd much appreciate any pointers.

frankv

Having just done the door latches I am not too sure you can do too much from the 'outside', rather the part that really needs the lubrication and cleaning is inside and only accessible by taking off the inner door panel. My latches were so gunked up that I ended up unbolting the door handles from the door and taking the whole contraption out in order to get it cleaned and lubed. I used a silicon based lubricant.

Regards, Frank

Paul902

In the manual, IIRC, it suggests using glycerin on the door seals. I bought some at the drug store and tried to apply it. It seemed to just sit on the surface of the seals. So, I've opted for Aerospace 303 on the seals. What do you have in mind for "wet" silicon?

On the door hinges my dealer has used a lithium based grease. I have some in an aerosol format that I find very good for that application. Just give the hinge a blast of it, and it will do its thing.

randytrish

I've used this stuff. I have a 01 MB SLK with a retractable hardtop and this is recommended for the seals to keep from squeaking and drying out. I used it on my 993 with no issues.
http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-...are-stick.html

rlme36

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2268_477562149

I've used gummi fledge for rubber seals around doors for a long time with good results.

ntmatter

Funnily enough, I used to own an indoor bounce house place, and we used Aerospace 303 on the slides to keep them slick and prevent them from wearing out. The stuff is like oiled ball bearings, I'll see if we kept any after we closed. Sounds like I should hold off on the door handles (which aren't having any problems).

As far as aerosol grease, would you spray it *on* the hinge, or *in* the hinge (I'm thinking with something like a WD40 tube)?

hkspwrsche

Doors seals I recommend shin etsu grease http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Hond...-/400235078098


Latches and hinges use white lithium grease

Mike J

For the hinges, I use pressurized lithium grease injected through the feed hole - made up a little attachment so it seals, and put a rag around the hinge if it splatters. You can also just use some oil - not sure how to just apply grease without a carrier that can evaporate to leave the grease.

303 on the door seals, etc.

Cheers,

Mike

mpruden

I've tried something like this and made a complete mess. I managed to get more grease on the outside of the hinge than inside.

Can you share some more detail? Is the feed hole in the middle of the hinge? How did you get it to seal?

ble2011

Don't use WD40 as a lubricant. It's a "water displacement" and will actually remove grease.

Mike J

Did not say it was not messy - haha. Yes, the feed hole in the middle of the hinge - I used a small rubber plug, drilled a hole through it which the tube from the aerosol can is attached to, and with a knife taper cut the end so it can be pushed against the oiling hole in the center of the hinge. It leaked all over because of the crappy seals (including where the feed tube attached to the spray nozzle on the can ) but I think it worked. Definitely more outside than inside though!

I just looked for it but the thing is not on the shelf where is supposed to be.

There must be a better way though - its messy as hell doing it that way. I have also just squirted thin oil into the hole, that seemed to work a bit, but it does not get to the upper side of the pin. Access is a challenge. Problem is, you really do not know how well any lubricant penetrates in there without removing the hinge pin, which is another story in itself...

Cheers,

Mike

mpruden

Thanks for the detail, Mike. Glad I'm not the only one having trouble with this simple task.

There is no problem with this approach. Very carefully turn the car upside down after applying the oil.

Mike J

If you flip it BEFORE you apply the oil, I find it makes less mess ...

ntmatter

Interesting, thanks all. I used 303 on the door seals - they don't look chalky anymore! Such an easy thing to fix a minor but long time irritation. I got a can of lithium aerosol grease and I'll try to work out a repeatable solution for sealing the spray tube to that hole in the hinge. I'm wondering if something like a child's medicine syringe (the kind that comes with oral antibiotics) with regular synthetic grease would be an option instead. I'll update if I figure it out.