Door woes

[caldirun]

I have finally managed to cure my rear passenger door lock problem, it has not locked or unlocked properly since I bought the car nearly a year ago (except for a short interval after I removed and stripped it and thought I had fixed it)
I have a 2005 post dumb-down version, the door locks have black plastic covers as opposed to the green covers on the old version, apart from this they look identical, same make, same dimensions. I have had 3 of the 4 locks give me hassle they are rubbish, I did some thinking, my 2002 passat has been perfect so why not replace with 2002 green cover locks, this I have just done, it works a treat the door locks and unlocks plus it closes and opens more smoothly, a bonus!
I now need to address the drivers door hinge, this had dropped so I adjusted it, it has now dropped again, I expect it is a similar problem i.e. cheap, junk parts fitted. Do I need a special wrench for the hinges or will a 12 point bit and a ring spanner do the job (it looks very difficult to get to the bolts as the wing is in the way!
I presume the hinge is bolted to the body from the inside as well as the one bolt on the outside, is it hard to get to from the inside? (do I need to release electrics from inside the door and take the door off to enable access to the body bolts?
I am thinking of using earlier hinges as in the door lock problem, I am sure 2005 hinges (and the VAG replacements being sold now) are rubbish.

[scotty33]

I seem to recall my 98 passat hinges had a plastic 'plug' fitted into the hinge tube. This could be removed and the void packed with grease, when the plug is refitted the grease is displaced into the pin area. Wonder why they dropped it.....£???

[KieranM]

I'll be checking out that plug on my Passat tomorrow! Thanks for the tip, hopefully this will mean I don't get this problem!