Idiots' guide to replacing the fuel flap hinge

[cralst]

Originally Posted by toolbah

There is a much cheaper and simpler fix, just replace the 2 plastic retaining lugs for the spring with small self tapping screws!!
Pre drill holes for screws with a 1mm drill bit and job done. total cost £0.00.
A far better job and it wont break again

One of the clips on my fuel flap hinge broke a few months ago, it still worked though with just one clip, however the other one broke this morning. I was going to replace the hinge and found this thread which was really useful information on the best way to go about it. Reading through this thread I came across the post by toolbah and thought it was worth a go to try and replace the clips of the original hinge with screws, if it didn't work I was only screwing into the plastic hinge which I might have to replace anyway. I tried just screws but the heads weren't big enough and the spring pinged out from behind them. I thought I'd try washers as well but I bent the washers to form a better clip. This works brilliantly and hopefully will last longer than the original plastic clips.
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[Mac2]

Anyone got a solution for when you break one of the spring retaining posts (that has a small hole in it for the end of the spring to fit) that are actaully on the inside of the flap door?

I know that I can buy a completely new unpainted flap which I will have to get painted to match the car (at what cost?) and then I will have to fit a new hinge onto it (not a problem - this is my second).

But what worries me is how much it will cost to get a new flap painted to match the car! Who would want to do such a small job without charging an arm and a leg! So if anyone has come up with a good work around for retaining one end of the spring on the flap (other than "buy a another complete flap and get it painted to match)- I will be delighted to know what it is? Thanks

[turbo d]

Think you are going for the magnet fix which sounds a good idea.

[Gazdok]

I had to fix mine a couple of years ago. I used tiny screws with a cutting thread. That should be enough to seat them securely in the plastic bracket.

[liberalis]

Originally Posted by Mac2

Anyone got a solution for when you break one of the spring retaining posts (that has a small hole in it for the end of the spring to fit) that are actaully on the inside of the flap door?

I know that I can buy a completely new unpainted flap which I will have to get painted to match the car (at what cost?) and then I will have to fit a new hinge onto it (not a problem - this is my second).

But what worries me is how much it will cost to get a new flap painted to match the car! Who would want to do such a small job without charging an arm and a leg! So if anyone has come up with a good work around for retaining one end of the spring on the flap (other than "buy a another complete flap and get it painted to match)- I will be delighted to know what it is? Thanks

What colour mate? as I have a grey one sat in my bin.

[liberalis]

I say grey, might be silver, dunno....

[kazy43]

Hi all am very new to all this but I would like some help with the petrol flap now the hinge is fine its the lug (the bit that locks the flap that's broken) that has broke I have a new petrol flap is there any way I can get the flap off the hinge on the car and replace with new flap or will I need a new hinge too?

Thank you.

[milazel]

I can't see any pictures from the original post. Were they deleted because the post started 5 years ago?
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[bluetownbarry]

Originally Posted by kazy43

Hi all am very new to all this but I would like some help with the petrol flap now the hinge is fine its the lug (the bit that locks the flap that's broken) that has broke I have a new petrol flap is there any way I can get the flap off the hinge on the car and replace with new flap or will I need a new hinge too?

Thank you.

Unfortunately, you will have to get a new hinge - there's no way of getting the flap on with the hinge still attached to the car

[bluetownbarry]

Originally Posted by milazel

I can't see any pictures from the original post. Were they deleted because the post started 5 years ago?
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Look at post number 24 - all the pics you need are there