Midyear decklid spring mount
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Midyear decklid spring mount
Good afternoon guys, I'm trying to decide what I want to do with the mount that contains the decklid spring. I've bought new springs and I know how to install them however the bracket has some surface rust on it. There is a bolt that runs thru it into a bracket mounted on the other side of the fiberglass.
If I remove the spring and then this bolt will the bracket come out or is it secured by more than the bolt. The area is small and I can't get enough light back into that corner to be able to see how this is assembled. Thanks.
Dave
If I remove the spring and then this bolt will the bracket come out or is it secured by more than the bolt. The area is small and I can't get enough light back into that corner to be able to see how this is assembled. Thanks.
Dave
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 353
Likes: 114
From: South Carolina
I recall that there are two bolts in the deck-lid, two on the backside of the drip rail, and one on the bottom. Mark your deck lid and watch the shim placement before you remove anything. You may need to prop up up one side of the deck lid. There will be shims under the deck lid attachment point and may be some shims on the bottom of the unit where it is attached to the body. You can change the spring after you get it off in a vice. You will need the spring tool. Stretch the spring by de-pressing the hinge lever and slip the tool into the spring. Stretch the new spring by hooking one end onto something anchored and place the tool into it. It's a pretty easy job.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Yep that's exactly how many bolts that held it in. I just couldn't tell before I took the bolts out if anything else was holding it in. Got the spring out with no problem. I do need to get the tool to make life easier putting the spring back in though. As for the decklid alignment I've been there done that so that's not a concern.
Last edited by Hitch; Jan 11, 2010 at 03:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
Yes, there is a second bolt on the top of the bracket, tucked behind and hidden by the spring. It's in a very tight spot, even with a 1/4 drive ratchet and a universal. I was going to pull my brackets out to install the springs until I decided that I just might not be able to get that small bolt back in place with the spring on.
I made my own spring tool with a 1 1/4 inch piece of flat steel, bent at 90s on each end, and 4 1/2 inches long to slip in each end of the spring. You can hook the spring on the puck and frame of a floor jack, stretch it, and slip the steel in place to hold the spring in the stretched position. In my case, the spring always tried to pop out of my bracket when I released the floor jack, but wrapping it with duct tape kept it in place. When the spring was hooked in each end of the bracket in the car, I just cut the tape away with a knife and pulled the steel piece out.
I made my own spring tool with a 1 1/4 inch piece of flat steel, bent at 90s on each end, and 4 1/2 inches long to slip in each end of the spring. You can hook the spring on the puck and frame of a floor jack, stretch it, and slip the steel in place to hold the spring in the stretched position. In my case, the spring always tried to pop out of my bracket when I released the floor jack, but wrapping it with duct tape kept it in place. When the spring was hooked in each end of the bracket in the car, I just cut the tape away with a knife and pulled the steel piece out.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,354
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From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Dave, I'm about too return my tool to Volenteer Vettes. Tried everything to get them out, no luck. I put the spring on the last notch and said the _ell with it. You want it for $15? 
Dennis
Dennis
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
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From: Clayton NC
Dave
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,354
Likes: 2,726
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Dave,
I had the top catch cleared, but the bottom would not clear something that I couldn't see. Even tried taking the whole thing out, no luck...I'm done! PM me your address and I send it to you. Dennis
I had the top catch cleared, but the bottom would not clear something that I couldn't see. Even tried taking the whole thing out, no luck...I'm done! PM me your address and I send it to you.
Dennis
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