Diagnosis
The steel latch pin and hinge are lacking lubrication and have accumulated dust and grit, causing metal-on-metal friction.
How to Fix It
Clean and lubricate the hinge and latch immediately.
- Wipe away all visible dirt from the silver hinge barrel and the black latch hook with a dry cloth.
- Apply a small amount of dry lubricant (like WD-40 Specialist Dry Lube) or silicone spray directly onto the hinge pin and the moving parts of the latch. Avoid oil-based lubes as they attract more dirt.
- Work the mechanism open and closed 10-15 times to distribute the lubricant.
If That Didn't Work
The hinge tension may be too high. Locate the hex bolt inside the hinge. Using the correct size Allen key, loosen it by a quarter-turn, test, and repeat until smooth. Don't over-loosen.
Heads Up
Never force it closed if it's misaligned. Check that the rubber bumper on the stem isn't folded over, blocking the latch. A squeaky hinge will wear out faster and can eventually seize.