How to fix a squeaky car door hinge?

Our car’s doors are opened thousands of times. And while it’s quite harmless, a squeaky car door is very, very annoying.

The procedure of getting rid of or fixing a squeaky car door is really not that complicated. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Why does my car door squeak?

Rust and lack of lubrication are usually the cause.

As to what squeaks, it is usually either the car door check link or the hinges. In order for them to operate smoothly and without annoying noises, they need to be clean and have plenty of lubrication.

First, what is the car door check link? the car door check link is that metal rod that enters the car’s panel when you close the door. It’s usually between two hinges. Its purpose is to hold the door in place once you open it. Without it, the door would simply fall back on you.

That metal rod in the car door check link is usually the main offender. But it’s a great practice to keep all your hinges, and car door check links clean and lubricated. Not just for the door that bothers you.

What do you need to fix a squeaky car door?

• patience;
• WD-40 spray;
• some kind of lubricant spray. I like silicone because it also protects the rubber parts, but a lithium spray would work too;
• steel wool or something abrasive to clean out the gunk and stuff;
• some clean cloth or paper towels;

A note on the lubricant: a silicone-based spray lubricant will reduce friction, help drive out moisture and prevent rust as well as prolong the life of the rubber. It can be used on a lot of stuff. Never use cooking oil or something like that. If I had to rate what I’d use, it would be like this: silicone spray, lithium spray, lithium grease, all-purpose grease, or some engine oil.

And no, WD-40 (at least the classic one), is not a lubricant. It is best for removing rust and dirt. While it would lubricate, it will have a short-term effect. And we don’t want to do this every week, we have better things to do. Do note that WD-40 also has the ‘specialist’ product range, which includes a silicone spray for lubricating. That is ok.

Step by step on fixing a squeaky car door

Do one door at a time, it’s easier.

1. Apply the WD-40 to the door hinges and the car door check link. Make sure to really get in there (especially in those tight places of the hinges. That small straw WD-40 comes with would probably help). Leave it for 10 minutes to do its job.
2. Wipe off the excess WD-40 and any gunk or dirt on the hinges and, check link. If there is some surface rust use the steel wool or something abrasive to get it off.
3. Use the lubrication spray and apply it generously to the hinges and the door check link (especially on that metal rod that enters the car’s panel).
4. Move the car door back and forwards full-swing. At least ten times in a row. We want the lubricant to penetrate the hinge as much as possible. If after 10-12 times it still squeaks, apply more lubrication and try again.
5. Wipe off the excess lubrication from around the areas we want to be lubricated (it probably got on the paint and even around the moving areas. Wipe if off just in case.)
6. You should be all good, and the squeak should be gone now!

You can do this for all types of hinges on your car and even around the house. Let’s make everything smooth working and silent!

What if it doesn’t work?

Check everything for rust. If the rust problem is severe, just simple lubrication might help. If it is not that severe, maybe you need to clean it better with WD-40 and then re-lubricate it.

But sometimes, a hinge or the door check link may just be broken. Replacement is the only viable option usually.

That’s it!

Some simple afternoon maintenance. As you saw, fixing a squeaky car door is not that hard. My advice would be to make sure all these moving parts like hinges and car door check links are always lubricated. Prevention goes a long way – and I’m not just talking about squeaks. Some good old silicone spray can prevent rust from appearing too!