I just bought some new hood hinges and springs from Year One. They look great, but the only thing is, how in the world do I get the springs on to the hinges?? (Those are some stiff springs....)

Thanks,

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Joe Scott
72 Chevelle 350/TH350
Red w/black int
Black vinyl top

I have used the brute force method to pull/install springs in the past. Don't recommend it, nicks, dings, scratches as well as thumbnails go flying. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif

But, here is what I do now. Spread a coil with a couple screw drivers and lay a 6 penny nail between the coil. Do this 7 or 8 times and the spring should be long enuff to hang. Then using vise grips work the nails out one by one. Dosen't take long, and less chance of the spring flying off. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/cool.gif

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DG
Springfield, Ohio


My 70 Malibu http://www.wright.edu/~adams.41/chevy.htm
dga@erinet.com
TEAM Chevelle Member #0086
eBay username: dg98adams

I did mine using a floor jack. Hook one end on the lifting arm and the other end on the base, then open the spring up far enough to put the hinge in place. It takes a little work to figure out how to orient the spring correctly on the jack.

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JeffK ACES #01510
Team Chevelle Gold #72
496 EFI/Richmond 6-Speed
JeffK@chevelles.com
Jeff's Chevelle Page (http://www.72chevelle.com)

With the hinge on the car or in a vise I use the same tool that I have for brake return springs. Just hook one end on the hinge and use the tool to slide the other end on.

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Philip Valentine
Gold Member #42
Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness
Under Construction Car & Page (http://www.citlink.net/~bowtie)

Hey, Jeff,
How do you go about balancing that jack on the fenders without scratching the paint? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I think I'll try the method useing the nails, should be pretty easy. Thanks http://www.chevelles.com/forum/cool.gif

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Joe Scott
72 Chevelle 350/TH350
Red w/black int
Black vinyl top

Joe,
The tool that Philip is talking about is a cheap tool that you can get at any local auto store. And won't nick up the spring.

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Better Late than Never Fred
Team Chevelle #400
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
1970 Chevelle Malibu (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Riffers70_1)

Riffers70,

What is this tool called so I can ask about it at the local Autozone?

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Joe Scott
72 Chevelle 350/TH350
Red w/black int
Black vinyl top

brake spring pliers. It is about a foot long and has special ends on the handles. One end is for removing the brake springs and the other is for installing. Then it has a curved piece on the other end with a sharp point on it, (which is real good for poking holes in your arm when it slips). http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif If I was home I could post a picture of it.

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Philip Valentine
Gold Member #42
Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness
Under Construction Car & Page (http://www.citlink.net/~bowtie)

Joe,
I can see Philip chomping at the bit with his camera sitting idle and a picture to be taken. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif
I swiped this pic off of the Sears site. They have it for $17.
Brake Spring Pliers (http://www.geocities.com/rr_67/brkplrs.jpg)

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Better Late than Never Fred
Team Chevelle #400
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
1970 Chevelle Malibu (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Riffers70_1)

Aw Fred your taken away my fun. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks for all the help, I'm gonna check out those pliers today.

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Joe Scott
72 Chevelle 350/TH350
Red w/black int
Black vinyl top

Nails didn't work for me - I used a piece of 3/8 pipe about 18 inches long and cut a slot in one side of one end. Slot is about 1 inch long 3/16 wide. install the spring on the top hinge hook, put the pipe through the other end of the spring, the slot goes over the lower hinge spring hook. When you pull down on the pipe, it stretches the spring till it slides into the hinge hook . Presto , it's on. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Gotta have a Chevy !In Durham N.C.
Make it look the way you like it, forget what the other guys say! :D