How do I troubleshoot continuous geared hinges?

Resolution:

Below are observations that may be reported regarding Ives continuous aluminum geared hinges,  follwed by common solutions.

 

Symptoms reported for aluminum geared hinges:

• Hinge is making noise (often popping noises, or creaking)
• Excessive black dust is quickly collecting on the floor under the hinge and maybe along the gears and bearings (note: some black dust is expected through normal wear and tear)
• Door sagging
• Door is not opening or closing smoothly
• Screws are loose in door or frame leaf of hinge
• Thin strip of EPT cutout on 224HD and 224XY is bowing out

 

Common causes for any and all the above symptoms:

• Improper hinge used in application (incorrect hinge for door size or weight)
• Hinge is not sized correctly in the field per instructions
• Broken or missing reinforcing/rivet nuts (when needed)
• Substituted fasteners
• Fasteners are driven in at an angle instead of strait in which causes torque along the length of the hinge
• Evidence the screws were driven in too tightly. For example: stripped screw heads when using a drill (screws should be tightened evenly along length of hinge)
• Hinge was assembled incorrectly by the factory – gears not meshing together correctly. (Uncommon)

 

Solution suggestions

• Adding or fixing reinforcing in door or frames can be difficult, but that may need to be considered if dicated by door weight.. 
• If the screws have been driven in crooked and/or too tight, you might loosen them and tightened evenly, but they won’t go in any straighter to fix a torqued hinge.  In some cases replacing crooked fasteners with rivet nuts and screws might straighten out some of the holes and relieve the hinge torque.
• Substituting a surface mount hinge might be a solution option for some customers, but aesthetics may limit this option based upon building owner preference. 
• Substituting with a pin-in-barrel or other full- or half-surface hinge might be possible.  However, matching a door inset, door under sizing, and the overall look from one type of hinge to another need to be considered.
• If the hinge appears to be installed properly, contact product support for review of potential  replacement. 
   

Contact Ives product support at 877-671-7011,  option 2,  then option 7,  to discuss in more detail.

When calling support,  it is most helpful to be at the door.  Or,  have pictures available of both the total opening and close-up views of fasteners which can be emailed to [email protected]