Hi kornbread. I share your anxiety as there are claims that the hinges can be replaced, but no one has published anything anywhere that explains a procedure without fully removing the door. the Toyota service bulletin explains how to remove the door and replace the hinges and the cable motor. However, many of us just want to replace the center hinges.
I have an '04 Sienna and need new hinges as I have all of the early symptoms. From what I've read and from studying the Toyota service bulletin (EL004-04), here's how I think it can be done.
**I haven't done this yet. I have worn hinges, but my cables are fine (for now)**
1. Open the sliding door.
2. Disconnect the battery.
3. Disconnect both ends of the cable at the tensioners at each end of the center track. Service bulletin explains how to remove the trim under the rear window to access the rear tensioner. At this point, you can slide the door on the track
4. Remove the bump stop at the end of the upper track
5. Remove stop at end of center track.
6. Unbolt cable carrier (pullies) from center hinge (2 bolts)
7. Carefully slide door rearward allowing roller on top track, and the infamous center hinge to disengage from tracks. You'll need 1 or 2 buddies to hold the door straight as the lower track stays engaged. I may make sense to just take the door off a this point, but it may not be necessary.
8. Unbolt the center hinge and replace.
9. Put it all back together.
Comments welcome,
Illbay
I have an '04 Sienna and need new hinges as I have all of the early symptoms. From what I've read and from studying the Toyota service bulletin (EL004-04), here's how I think it can be done.
**I haven't done this yet. I have worn hinges, but my cables are fine (for now)**
1. Open the sliding door.
2. Disconnect the battery.
3. Disconnect both ends of the cable at the tensioners at each end of the center track. Service bulletin explains how to remove the trim under the rear window to access the rear tensioner. At this point, you can slide the door on the track
4. Remove the bump stop at the end of the upper track
5. Remove stop at end of center track.
6. Unbolt cable carrier (pullies) from center hinge (2 bolts)
7. Carefully slide door rearward allowing roller on top track, and the infamous center hinge to disengage from tracks. You'll need 1 or 2 buddies to hold the door straight as the lower track stays engaged. I may make sense to just take the door off a this point, but it may not be necessary.
8. Unbolt the center hinge and replace.
9. Put it all back together.
Comments welcome,
Illbay
