Yeti and Pelican sell replacement hinges—but a hardware store fix works too

Yes, you can replace cooler hinges on major brands, and you don’t always need factory parts.

Yeti and Pelican both sell replacement hinge hardware for their hard coolers. Yeti calls it a hinge pin kit, and it pops in with a screwdriver. Pelican sells similar replacement kits for their larger coolers. They’re not expensive, and if your cooler is under warranty, they might even send you the parts free.

If you don’t care about factory parts, the standard fix is to drill out the old rivets or pins and replace them with a stainless steel bolt, nylock nut, and a couple of washers. It’s a 15-minute job and honestly stronger than the original. Just make sure you use stainless hardware so it doesn’t corrode.

One gotcha: some coolers have the hinge molded into the body, not a separate part. If that’s the case, replacement parts don’t exist, and you’re into DIY territory—like a through-bolt through a hard plastic sleeve.

For most Yeti and Pelican models, you’re fine. Order the kit, or grab some bolts. Your cooler will be shutting right again.

If you’re handy enough to ask the question, you’re handy enough to fix it.