Installing hood springs

[47heaven]

Been searching all over on here and haven't found a thread on it, yet. So what is the trick to getting the hood springs on? Any suggestions? I did try inserting nickles in between each coil, but they don't fit (that was a trick I was told on here a few years back by someone).

[dezeldoc]

I use a brake spring pliers. they have a nice little pocket that the hinge sits in, just slip it through the spring hook it on the hinge and pull it over, simple as that! not really but i have done a couple of dozen so it is for me. in fact i had to do a pair for the guy down the street today, got tired of watching him beat the fenders up so i did it for him, i thought he was gonna pass out when it only took me about 2 minutes to get them on. sure was a nice lunch he bought me!

[47heaven]

I use a brake spring pliers. they have a nice little pocket that the hinge sits in, just slip it through the spring hook it on the hinge and pull it over, simple as that! not really but i have done a couple of dozen so it is for me. in fact i had to do a pair for the guy down the street today, got tired of watching him beat the fenders up so i did it for him, i thought he was gonna pass out when it only took me about 2 minutes to get them on. sure was a nice lunch he bought me!

Ha ha. So where do you get those pliers and do you pull from the bottom up or from the top down?

[dezeldoc]

You can get them at almost any parts store, just make sure the small smooth end has a pocket. i pull from the bottom up.

[1948mando]

Hey Darin I have a pair your welcome to use them..

[alan32433]

I read somewhere that this works or at least helps. Take a number of coins, nickel's etc, bend the spring and place the coins in between the coils. Might take as many as a dozen. That lengthens the spring and make it easier to attach. After they are attached, they fall out when the spring is extended. like I said, I've never done it, don't have my hood on yet. Just something to consider.

Alan

[Frank Elder]

Are you throwin' money at your car Alan?

[alan32433]

I think you are right, at least according to my wife!

[47heaven]

Dezeldoc, you must be one strong guy because Mando and I both tried pulling the spring up, as well as down without any luck. The new springs have a lot of tension.

You can get them at almost any parts store, just make sure the small smooth end has a pocket. i pull from the bottom up.

[55 Fargo]

How about a chain, attached to he bottom spring hook, then attach spring to a piece of 2 X 4 to create a lever.

Use the leverage to pull the chain down and onto its perch/mount.

This can be done, as I have done this myself on my car.

Another way would be to use a length of chain, place on bottom spring hook, then attach/hook the chain to the floor, lif car, this will stretch the spring down easily, allowing it to be placed onto is spring mount notch.........just some ideas

[dezeldoc]

Sometimes you have to play with the hight of the hood to get the spring as close to the seat as possible. I have no problem pulling them 2-3" to the seat.

[47heaven]

Sometimes you have to play with the hight of the hood to get the spring as close to the seat as possible. I have no problem pulling them 2-3" to the seat.

Are talking about when you install the already used springs?

[dezeldoc]

New are a little stiffer but still no problem. if you need make a tool like the brake spoon and make the handle longer for more leverage.

[cwcars88]

I put mine on the same way (Rockwood) did it works with ease.

by the way (47heaven) thanks for the info I have a new set of springs ordered.

Wayne

[55 Fargo]

I put mine on the same way (Rockwood) did it works with ease.

by the way (47heaven) thanks for the info I have a new set of springs ordered.

Wayne

I was wondering why Darren was ignoring my suggestion, there is variable ways of doing this task, employing a chain and some leverage( 2X4 piece of wood) or hydraulic tools.....Fred

[Don Coatney]

Sometimes you have to play with the hight of the hood to get the spring as close to the seat as possible. I have no problem pulling them 2-3" to the seat.

How about a chain, attached to he bottom spring hook, then attach spring to a piece of 2 X 4 to create a lever.

Use the leverage to pull the chain down and onto its perch/mount.

This can be done, as I have done this myself on my car.

Another way would be to use a length of chain, place on bottom spring hook, then attach/hook the chain to the floor, lif car, this will stretch the spring down easily, allowing it to be placed onto is spring mount notch.........just some ideas

New are a little stiffer but still no problem. if you need make a tool like the brake spoon and make the handle longer for more leverage.

I put mine on the same way (Rockwood) did it works with ease.

by the way (47heaven) thanks for the info I have a new set of springs ordered.

Wayne

I was wondering why Darren was ignoring my suggestion, there is variable ways of doing this task, employing a chain and some leverage( 2X4 piece of wood) or hydraulic tools.....Fred

WoW! Imagine that, improvising! Must be a new concept:rolleyes:

[Byronb3b]

I have used the lever method, pulling the spring down, I use mechanics wire and make a doubled loop of wire through the end of the chain and the end of the spring easy to cut out with wire cutters if it ends up in the inside of the sprng bracket.

[bobostski]

I took off the hood,took out one of the screws holding the hinge( don't remember if it was the frount or back) This let the hinge swing down enough to hook it on the spring. It was easy to stretch the spring and put the screw back in.

[hotrodbob]

man, I'd pay you to put springs on mine. I haven't had them on for over 20 years now. Where can I buy new ones?

I use a brake spring pliers. they have a nice little pocket that the hinge sits in, just slip it through the spring hook it on the hinge and pull it over, simple as that! not really but i have done a couple of dozen so it is for me. in fact i had to do a pair for the guy down the street today, got tired of watching him beat the fenders up so i did it for him, i thought he was gonna pass out when it only took me about 2 minutes to get them on. sure was a nice lunch he bought me!

[Plymouthy Adams]

do a search using new hood springs

[BobT-47P15]

"man, I'd pay you to put springs on mine. I haven't had them on for over 20 years now. Where can I buy new ones?" hotrodbob.........link to the ebay seller of those new repro springs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300496574638&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

[hotrodbob]

Thanks for the link. I just bid on them.

Update: I got 'em.. Now, maybe I need to drive up to Lancaster and get 'em installed...LOL

Edited December 1, 2010 by hotrodbob

[dezeldoc]

Thanks for the link. I just bid on them.

Update: I got 'em.. Now, maybe I need to drive up to Lancaster and get 'em installed...LOL

Just bring a nice warm jacket!! hasn't been much over 45 and down into the high teens at night!

[kbuhagiar]

Thanks for the link. I just bid on them.

Update: I got 'em.. Now, maybe I need to drive up to Lancaster and get 'em installed...LOL

Let us know how they work.

I'm thinking about replacing my hood springs, since my hood 'sags' a few inches when open (and I'm constantly knockin' my noggin on the hood latch!).

If new springs would get me a couple more inches of clearance I'll consider 'springing' for them...!

[hotrodbob]

Just bring a nice warm jacket!! hasn't been much over 45 and down into the high teens at night!

LOL, I remember. I use to live near 10th and "I" and worked at LACR for 20 years...