Author Topic: Stiff hinges  (Read 9178 times)

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Stiff hinges
« on: 16 February, 2020, 10:12:11 pm »


The main frame hinge is getting really stiff now.

What have people found most effective to lube this hinge? Would chain lube work? Wd40? Or should I invest in some sort of penetrating oil?

Thanks

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

bludger

  • Randonneur and bargain hunter
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #1 on: 16 February, 2020, 10:20:06 pm »
YACF touring/audax bargain basement:
https://bit.ly/2Xg8pRD



Ban cars.

Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #2 on: 16 February, 2020, 10:24:36 pm »
A couple of drops of chain oil normally does the job.

I assume you mean Brompton and not knees.

Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #3 on: 16 February, 2020, 10:31:50 pm »
I'd use Boeshield T-9 if you can get it. Great for chains too.
I use white grease, but might try that. As you say, if I can get it.

Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #4 on: 17 February, 2020, 10:53:35 am »
You should also carefully examine where the apparent tightness is coming from, and especially if all components are aligned as intended. Sometimes with folders, wear (or, loosness) in one component shows up as tightness in another. Reversing gravity whilst observing the interplay of all components is good for that. (Turn it uʍopǝpᴉsdn  and see if it rattles)

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #5 on: 17 February, 2020, 11:14:49 am »

I put a couple of drops of Chain-L lube on the hinge last night. Will see how it is this afternoon when I ride to the shops.

Thanks all!

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

jiberjaber

  • ... Fancy Pants \o/ ...
  • ACME S&M^2
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #6 on: 17 February, 2020, 12:50:24 pm »
Dental floss and a spray of gt85 sorted mine. I also took the opportunity to take out the bolts and clean and add some light grease.

Much improved!
Regards,

Joergen

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #7 on: 10 May, 2020, 06:38:10 pm »


It doesn't seem to have made a major improvement in hinge performance.

How easy is it to remove the hinge pin and reseat?

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #8 on: 26 May, 2020, 10:50:16 pm »
The hinge pin needs to be drilled to remove the flare and then driven out. A replacement pin is pushed in and flared. You may wish to ream out the hinge. The three pin sizes are nominally 6.0mm, 6.1mm and 6.35mm to compensate for wear.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #9 on: 27 May, 2020, 08:22:58 am »
My Brompton isn't getting used daily, as it usually would, because of not commuting. I'm finding that the hinges get stiff if not used. I had trouble unfolding it yesterday.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #10 on: 27 May, 2020, 12:51:52 pm »
The hinge pin needs to be drilled to remove the flare and then driven out. A replacement pin is pushed in and flared. You may wish to ream out the hinge. The three pin sizes are nominally 6.0mm, 6.1mm and 6.35mm to compensate for wear.

I think that may be something I pay someone to do. Mostly so that if it goes wrong, it's their fault not mine...

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #11 on: 27 May, 2020, 06:50:42 pm »
I was about to make some comment about Hinge being a bit stiff, and Bracket’s looking worried.

But I’m probably the only person old enough to find it amusing!

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #12 on: 28 May, 2020, 11:01:26 pm »
I understand the reference but have never actually heard/ seen them.

Just for completeness, the hinge pins also come in two lengths, one for LWB frame hinges (I have those in all diameters) and another for SWB frame hinges and handlebar stem hinges (ditto). All good fun.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #13 on: 20 December, 2021, 09:33:19 pm »

It finally got so bad i took her to the vet. They kept her for over a week as it took them a lot of effort to get the old pin out. They eventually drilled it out



I had forgotten how smooth and free moving the hinge should be. Need to adjust my muscle memory.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

bhoot

  • MemSec (ex-Mrs RRtY)
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #14 on: 18 December, 2022, 03:13:51 pm »
Just encountered this issue on our two household Bromptons - both B75s, one dates from March 2020 and one from summer 2021, so not very old and not used particularly heavily.

The really odd thing is that both bikes have been from being fine to almost impossible to fold/unfold (main frame hinge only, stem hinge is fine) in about 2 weeks, gradually getting worse. And at exactly the same time. We took them to the Hebrides but most of the time there they stayed indoors folded in their bags as they arrived from the flight, only being unfolded the last day to ride to the airport for our flight home, so they weren't exposed much to salty air or left out in rain. Transit damage while flying seems unlikely - no sign of anything and the chances of that affecting both bikes identically seems very small. The one thing we did which I don't think we have ever done before with previous bikes was to hang them on the sleeper train rather than fold them - we had booked bike spaces so decided to use them. Is there some (apparently unpublished) rule that a Brompton must not be suspended by the front wheel?

We have started trying to free them with a drop of 3 in 1 as we had that available, but no real sign of progress.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #15 on: 18 December, 2022, 03:31:49 pm »
Some good lubrication and repeated folding/ unfolding will stop things getting worse and likely improve things a bit but ultimately replacement of the hinge pins was what worked for me.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

bhoot

  • MemSec (ex-Mrs RRtY)
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #16 on: 18 December, 2022, 04:10:08 pm »
I am rather surprised if the pin needs to be replaced on a bike which is only 18 months old though, but yes it might come to that.
It also seemed odd that two bikes of different age showed the problem at exactly the same time, which suggested some external factor.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #17 on: 18 December, 2022, 06:18:30 pm »
Same time because they were exposed to the same conditions. My guess is corrosion or grit. Try a high quality penetrating lubricant.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

jiberjaber

  • ... Fancy Pants \o/ ...
  • ACME S&M^2
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #18 on: 18 December, 2022, 08:15:35 pm »
Dental floss and GT85
Regards,

Joergen

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #19 on: 18 December, 2022, 09:03:55 pm »
Wasn't there a punk band called Stiff Little Hinges?
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Stiff hinges
« Reply #20 on: 18 December, 2022, 10:24:15 pm »
Not sure but I'm certain there was a song called Sticky Hinges
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...