Hydraulic hinges, kitchen cupboards

HeidiHeidi

I'm fairly sure this isn't really the correct section for this query, so if anyone can either answer or point me in the right direction, I'd be very grateful.....

I have two eye-level cupboards in my kitchen that open out and up vertically, they have hydraulic hinges that are shot, so they won't stay open.

I want to get the hinges replaced.

Unless it's literally a matter of screwing in new ones (I suspect it's more complicated than that), I can't do this job myself.

Can anyone tell me who should I look for to do this job?? Carpenter? Kitchen fitter? General handyman?

Thanks!

The Continental Op

This sort of thing? https://www.amazon.co.uk/MEDILOE-Hydraulic-Automatic-Kitchen-Cupboard/dp/B09DFZ7L1P/

HeidiHeidi

This is one of the actual hinges

Don't know why it's posting sideways, I've tried correcting it but can't - rotate to the right for the proper view.

The Continental Op

That ram might just pop off as its on a ball joints. If so you might find you can get a replacement ram. If you check all the ones you can find on line you will probably find one the same size. When you get down to it there is a massive amount of standarisation.

HeidiHeidi

Unfortunately I don't even really know what any of that means!

Plus, the doors are very heavy, I'd be afraid of braining myself if I tried to take the hinges off by myself.

I'm happy to pay someone to do the job, but just don't know where I should be looking.....

The Continental Op

NO you don't take the hinges off. Those ram things are on a ball joint at either end. If you open the door you can measure the length of the ram fully extended and the length of the ram close. Then on Amazon etc see if any are the same size for example

Your not interested in anything other than the ram bit as you have the other bits already.

The old ram should just lever off with a screw driver under each end (one at a time) then you can press a new one into place.

Its a risk the ball joints might be different sizes but as I said there is so much standardisation now a days that chances are they will be the same.

It really is a fiddly job but needs a bit of common sense. A carpenter or anyone that fits kitchens should be able to do it but I can't imagine it would be cheap when they have to mess around and find the fittings. However I may be wrong and those rams might be a common thing to fail and easy to find and replace.