I all so had the out Side hinge cut in half on the hinge line on my h9 1/4 cap. I replaced the hinge with solid ca hinge mat. Two days later the outside hinge went south on the other side of the elevator. CA hinges will be come very brittle with to much ca applied. I all so think the counter balance on the elevator is put a large strain on the out side hinges. I am putting together a second 1/4 cap, and have installed GP pinned hinges, we will see how that works out. The hinges that ripped on your elevator, were they on the out side as well?