[webfoot]

What is the best method for removing these, without having it end up in your eye? I am trying to replace the pins and started compressing it in my vice, then I decided I had better not.

 

[Bill Rose]

I do it with the vise. You can run a piece of wire hanger thru it, so it won't fly away

Another option: Here's a cheap tool to compress the springs safely.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-D...otive_Tools&hash=item3efa88e254#ht_2416wt_958

 

[Raven1]

Removing them like you said? Put it in the vice and open the hinge. Then just pop the spring out. Put a piece of wire through it if it makes you feel better. It's not going to pop your eye out unless you are unbelievably careless. Chances are it's so weak from age it will just plop on the floor; which just happened to me recently. I cannot remember how many I've done over the years. The tool shown above you can buy locally, no need to buy on-line and pay shipping.

 

[WillW23]

I use a big screw driver, and pop it right off. To put them back on, just use a clamp on the detent arm and back of hinge, compress spring with clamp and drop detent in place. Just hope you can find a decent detent, as all I have ever seen a cheap, metal to metal, that is why i make my own. Also beware of the bushings, sometimes the pins do not fit the bushings and you still have side to side play after you insert the new pins into the new bushings. Then you still have same old problem, even with new parts!

Willie

 

[Rod Dog]

If your worried about the spring flying out and hitting you. Just cover it with a shop rag then pop it out with a screw driver. They don't have that much force behind them, the rag will catch it.

 

[72soft-top]

This may help... my old post:
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288258&highlight=door+hinge

 

[webfoot]

OK, I was under the impression that these were stout buggers. This particular hinge is pretty tough to open and close, I think this thing has been apart since the early 80s. (all the tires on it were polyglas!)

 

[Buzzbomb]

Go to Harbor Freight and get their "GM Door Spring Removal Tool" for less than $10. Totally worth the money, and works awesome. I used it with great success and have it onhand in case I ever need it again. For that money, it was well worth it. Why jerry rig it and risk hurting yourself when for less than $10 you can take it out and install it as safe as a pro can do it?

http://www.harborfreight.com/gm-vehicle-door-spring-tool-95344.html

 

[tricketson]

I'm a bit lazy. I took the hinges for my Firebird to a local body shop that have worked on other old cars. They popped the springs off for me and the next day put them back after I had rebuilt them. Refused to take a nickle for their service. I sent over a pizza for lunch the next day!
Tom
64ss

 

[Raven1]

This is door hinge, not Swiss watch rebuilding, I'm not dissuading caution but this is pretty simple stuff here. I have a tool from 20 years of collision work but never used it for spring removal when rebuilding these hinges. And they make good and bad detent kits. Pins and bushings can be bought locally, no need to buy from the vendors and pay shipping on top of it.

 

[gstacker]

Like others Have said just put a towel over it and pop it out with a little pry bar, i did use the hf tool to put it back in and ya its worth the 10.00... They also have safty goggles there for 1.50 To protect your eyes.