Steel trailers, :cussing: they drive me nuts :cussing: .
Gotta problem with the hinge on the front ramp of my '00 pace two place enclosed trailer. These trailers have a piece of rubber covering the hinges on the front ramp. Last year the rubber broke down and fell away from covering the steel hinges while on a trip. I didn't think much about it at the time, and then forgot completely about the situation. :blush: This weekend I decided to do some preliminary maint. and discovered that the hinges were rusted shut, almost. I tried using a penetrating oil, but have not had any luck getting any more movement. I haven't had an opportunity to try any heat yet, but thought I would ask if anyone has any other ideas.

Thx Dan

Try some heat as well, but be carefull with the lubricants you add and have a fire ext. handy.

Yes carefully try a little heat.Take some brake part cleaner to wash oil out first to prevent fire.When you get it working good try some spay Anti-Sieze to lube it up good.
Rich

Originally posted by Rich@Sep 27 2004, 03:18 PM
When you get it working good try some spay Anti-Sieze to lube it up good.

.... then take it down to your dealer and trade it in on an aluminium trailer.

Over the next few days keep slathering it with either transmission fluid or RUST CHECK...................Yup either one will penetrate and free it up. Of course you'll wanna keep a sheet of cardboard underneath to soak up the excess.
I've flat out given up on all the fancy big dollar penetrating oils, either of the above work and cost very little.

Rick
:D

Get some PB Blaster best stuff on the planet. Let it soak for a while and then hit it with a hammer a few times. It will then be free but you will still have to work it so it moves freely. Its a good idea to take the pins out if it has pins and anti seeze it. Dont put the rubber back on that will just let it rust more.

After you get the hinges freed up, drill and install some zerk fittings in the hinges. Just make sure the zerks you buy are not longer than the outer part of the hinge. You should be able to find some that drive in so you do not have to mess around with tapping the hole.

The bad part is you have to take your rubber flap off to get at them, make sure you replace it as I think you said it tore off. With the amount of crude that collects in there you should pull it off to clean the salt out anyways. Grease in the fall, once mid winter and again in the spring and you should never have a problem again with rusted hinges.

I just went through this with my Pace trailer as well, while I was at it I ground the rust and repainted the frame that was rusted pretty bad too. Yeah steel trailers are a pain, but til I can afford an aluminum one it will have to do.