Door Hinge Installation HELP

[elkniks]

Originally Posted by Ontcalimo

You can cut all areas except top area of the pillar where L nut assembly retainer is welded in place inside pillar, in which it is tack welded inside the pillar wall. Then pry out area (like opening the top area (lid) of a tin canned food can) or just cut out the entire area.
Retrieve the L nut assembly (with magnet or hook) (since it is obvious it fell from the pillar). Then place L nut assembly back in place and pushed in tabs to secure it in place. If it fell with the retaining assembly too (which I doubt) then tack weld it back into place or tack weld needed areas. Do not weld L nut assembly as it needs to be loose for door hinge adjustment. Then push everything back in place and spot weld it. You can also try to cut another one from a donor's vehicle pillar and used the cutout as a template when cutting out yours and welding it back in place.

X2

Eventually the carriage bolt heads are going to rip through the thin sheet metal post. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade here but it's going to be more work to fix the pulled out sheet metal in the future.