Bolt In Roller Pins -- Cunningham Machine

[Mean_Green]

On another thread somebody mentioned getting hinge pin bushings from Cunningham Machine and having a bump shop install them. That got me looking at their site where I found these roller pins that bolt in instead of some of the other methods from GM and aftermarket sellers.

These are machined by hand from stainless steel and they claim they've never had a problem with failures as so many have complained about with the Dormans and others. Big issue with the GM is retaining from the top since there is no pin hole or circlip groove. No issue here. Very easy to install also since it comes in two pieces. Lower machined portion with the roller pushes up from below and a bolt pulls it into place.

They fit tight and some comments on their site mentioned tapping in from below with a soft faced hammer. There really isn't much room for that with the door on however. The 3 1/2" bolt they provide is just a bit short for this task so as not to bottom out when installed. I picked up a 4" bolt that did the trick though. Lodge the bottom pin enough to stay in place. That can be done by hand. Then drop the 4" bolt down from above and use a 1/4" ratchet with a 1/2" socket and a couple of extensions that reach above the fender. A few turns pulls the bottom portion into place, then remoce the longer bolt and install the one provided to snug it up.

I have a spring tool on order, so that part can't be done just yet.











I don't think it took me 10 minutes to get this one in and might take less for the second one now that I know the steps.

 

[Mean_Green]

The pins themselves:

I laid the bolt beside the pin that way to keep it from rolling off the hood for the picture.













The shop is staffed by just a few people and the parts are made on site just outside Murray, KY.


Roller pins are $30 each.

Heavy Duty Chevrolet/GMC 88-98 Truck Door Pin Rollers - Cunningham Machine

Designed to replace those bent or broken roller pins that have seized up over the years. A direct replacement for the original rollers.

www.cunninghammachine.com

I though about putting this in the Vendor section, but I don't know what the rules are for that and didn't get a reply to my inquiries.

 

[Fless]

Is there a bushing on the top part, or does the bolt take all the stress?

Never mind, I see that's not the pivot. Good pics!

 

[Mean_Green]

The bolt doesn't do anything but hold the lower portion in place. The work is done by the brass roller. Probably need to get a couple more pictures once I get the springs in place.

This in the way GM should have done it to begin with, but they don't always think about serviceability.

 

[east302]

Good write-up, thanks for posting this. Question - how did you cut the top of the old pin off? The last ones that I did, I had the door off and had plenty of room to get in there with a cutting wheel. I have another truck that needs this done in the worst way - this looks like a perfect solution.

 

[Mean_Green]

Dremel type rotary tool with (of all things) a diamond chain saw sharpening bit did most of the cutting. Switched off to a small rotary stone for part of it. Took maybe 10-15 minutes. I had room to work, but one of the add-on flexible extensions might help.

Once ground down flush, I sharpened a piece of 18" rebar down to just less than the diameter of the remaining pin. That was long enough to align and tap with a hammer from above the fender line. A few gentle taps and the pin fell out.

Might want to tie a string or something around the bottom of the pin so you don't have to fish it out of the fender well like I did. Some cloth around the area to protect the paint helps too.

 

[Mean_Green]

Passenger side's done. Spring tool arrived yesterday and I got to it this morning. Total time grinding old pin off, installing new pin and spring, probably less than a half hour if I had everything on hand and could do it without breaks.

 

[Eman85]

Looks like a quality piece, anything is better than the Dorman junk we've been using. Did you replace the bushings too? I've not tried the Cunningham bushings yet, I did buy the GM bolt in pin and bushing kit with the grease fittings for my pickup. If I do another I'm going to try their bushings.

 

[Mean_Green]

I did buy the GM bolt in pin and bushing kit with the grease fittings

Say what now?


I have the Cunningham bushings for the left door, but haven't tackled that side yet. I'm going to take this second roller pin around to a couple of local shops so they can see it, handle it and maybe buy some of them.

 

[Eman85]

Say what now?


I have the Cunningham bushings for the left door, but haven't tackled that side yet. I'm going to take this second roller pin around to a couple of local shops so they can see it, handle it and maybe buy some of them.

Door Hinge Pins and Bushings???

I have 3 trucks with worn pins and bushings that I need to do on the driver's doors. Has anyone tried the GM kit 19332887? https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-GM-Parts-19332887-Bushings/dp/B01K8FYU4I/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=19332887&qid=1657241846&sr=8-3 Looks like this is the real cure. I did my 98...

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