Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.

Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....

Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.

TIA,

Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
'95 Wrangler

--

 

When you get the bolts drilled out, buy the this type of hinge:
http://www.truckstuffusa.com/winhinforjee.html that's open to drain the
water out. Maybe adapt some over center latches:
http://www.trailquest.com/body-parts/images/A2227.jpg So you may quickly
take the windshield off like a Real Jeeps.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mango Mel wrote:
>
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --

 

When you get the bolts drilled out, buy the this type of hinge:
http://www.truckstuffusa.com/winhinforjee.html that's open to drain the
water out. Maybe adapt some over center latches:
http://www.trailquest.com/body-parts/images/A2227.jpg So you may quickly
take the windshield off like a Real Jeeps.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mango Mel wrote:
>
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --

 

When you get the bolts drilled out, buy the this type of hinge:
http://www.truckstuffusa.com/winhinforjee.html that's open to drain the
water out. Maybe adapt some over center latches:
http://www.trailquest.com/body-parts/images/A2227.jpg So you may quickly
take the windshield off like a Real Jeeps.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mango Mel wrote:
>
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --

 

When you get the bolts drilled out, buy the this type of hinge:
http://www.truckstuffusa.com/winhinforjee.html that's open to drain the
water out. Maybe adapt some over center latches:
http://www.trailquest.com/body-parts/images/A2227.jpg So you may quickly
take the windshield off like a Real Jeeps.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mango Mel wrote:
>
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --

 

I used an impact wrench on mine and broke three Torx sockets before I gave
up. But I HAD to change my rear door hinges, and had the same problem. I
ended up drilling them out. You might try and EasyOut, but I wouldn't hold
my breath. I didn't try a torch because I felt I'd bubble the surrounding
paint with my luck. The tailgate hinge bolts weren't even rusted - they were
just frozen. I'm not sure why. I blame it on the Torx bolts - the system
works well for initial installation, but removal torque often renders them
useless.

Dana
'93 YJ

"Mango Mel" <pawsnfx@parrett.net> wrote in message
news:109e2cj9nn3lud6@corp.supernews.com...
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --
>
>

 

I used an impact wrench on mine and broke three Torx sockets before I gave
up. But I HAD to change my rear door hinges, and had the same problem. I
ended up drilling them out. You might try and EasyOut, but I wouldn't hold
my breath. I didn't try a torch because I felt I'd bubble the surrounding
paint with my luck. The tailgate hinge bolts weren't even rusted - they were
just frozen. I'm not sure why. I blame it on the Torx bolts - the system
works well for initial installation, but removal torque often renders them
useless.

Dana
'93 YJ

"Mango Mel" <pawsnfx@parrett.net> wrote in message
news:109e2cj9nn3lud6@corp.supernews.com...
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --
>
>

 

I used an impact wrench on mine and broke three Torx sockets before I gave
up. But I HAD to change my rear door hinges, and had the same problem. I
ended up drilling them out. You might try and EasyOut, but I wouldn't hold
my breath. I didn't try a torch because I felt I'd bubble the surrounding
paint with my luck. The tailgate hinge bolts weren't even rusted - they were
just frozen. I'm not sure why. I blame it on the Torx bolts - the system
works well for initial installation, but removal torque often renders them
useless.

Dana
'93 YJ

"Mango Mel" <pawsnfx@parrett.net> wrote in message
news:109e2cj9nn3lud6@corp.supernews.com...
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --
>
>

 

I used an impact wrench on mine and broke three Torx sockets before I gave
up. But I HAD to change my rear door hinges, and had the same problem. I
ended up drilling them out. You might try and EasyOut, but I wouldn't hold
my breath. I didn't try a torch because I felt I'd bubble the surrounding
paint with my luck. The tailgate hinge bolts weren't even rusted - they were
just frozen. I'm not sure why. I blame it on the Torx bolts - the system
works well for initial installation, but removal torque often renders them
useless.

Dana
'93 YJ

"Mango Mel" <pawsnfx@parrett.net> wrote in message
news:109e2cj9nn3lud6@corp.supernews.com...
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --
>
>

 

The ones that go into the body tub have heat activated 'loctite' on
them.

If you use a torch they come right out in my experience. Then you
'will' have to repaint the hinges though...

They also have nuts on the inside that you have to remove the dash to
get at. This means you can just take a 3/8" drill bit and drill out the
heads. The bolt and nut will then just fall or can be pushed inside.

I have seen a nice set of mirrors for going doorless though. Steve
Seppala from this group uses motorcycle mirrors he picked up at a Honda
shop cheap. The fit right into the hinge hole and just need one nut on
the bottom. They stay put and don't vibrate according to Steve.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Mango Mel wrote:
>
> Hello, it's spring and Mango Mel has come out of the woodwork. Last year
> the bolts on the windshield hinges froze - the ones that you need when you
> take off the doors and put on a mirror to be legal.
>
> Several people including a Jeep builder tried to loosen them and succeeded
> in stripping the bolts. Now it appears that the only solution is taking
> Mango to a body shop. Someone suggested a torch....
>
> Anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to hear them.
>
> TIA,
>
> Mango Mel & the Jeepdogs
> '95 Wrangler
>
> --