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I remember reading of a forum member making the tool from a slotted screwdriver. I did a search and had no luck, has anyone by chance saved the link or know where I can find it.
just look in an ecklers/corvette central catalog. they show pictures, I beieve it is just a flat head with a 90 or 45 degree bend
Thanks revel_inmy_loss, I've seen what they look like, but this article actually had dimension as well as angle. The ecklers tool only has I bend I believe. The do it yourself had 2.
Even with my door/hinges removed, I had to use a hammer and a
screwdriver to get the spring into place. Don't expect it to be easy,
even with the right tool.
Even with my door/hinges removed, I had to use a hammer and a
screwdriver to get the spring into place. Don't expect it to be easy,
even with the right tool.
Good Luck
I would disagree here. I have the right tool and it takes 5 minutes with it. You simply drop the spring into the hole from the top, flex the spring with the tool until it lines up with the bottom hole and tap it up with a mallet. It took me 5 minutes. I have learned that without the right tools you can eat up more time and damage more parts than biting it for the cost of the tool.
I would disagree here. I have the right tool and it takes 5 minutes with it. You simply drop the spring into the hole from the top, flex the spring with the tool until it lines up with the bottom hole and tap it up with a mallet. It took me 5 minutes. I have learned that without the right tools you can eat up more time and damage more parts than biting it for the cost of the tool.
You could probably do the job with a small pry bar as long as it has the 45 degree angle. I bought the tool from Doc Rebuild when I bought my new door spring. Once I figured out what had to be done to get the end of the spring into the recess it only took a few minutes using the tool. The tool is bent at exactly the right angle to fit in the space and give you leverage. I found some good information on corvettefaq.com that helped a lot with the install.
I would disagree here. I have the right tool and it takes 5 minutes with it. You simply drop the spring into the hole from the top, flex the spring with the tool until it lines up with the bottom hole and tap it up with a mallet. It took me 5 minutes. I have learned that without the right tools you can eat up more time and damage more parts than biting it for the cost of the tool.
We can all disagree.
Your mileage may vary.
My trouble was not lack of the "tool".
With the door off, you can flex the spring with a regular screwdriver.
My troubles were "tapping" it into place while keeping the spring end aligned.
I had to rap pretty good with a steel hammer to get mine into place.
Perhaps my old hinges could have been sandblasted first ... dunno.
All I do know is that the correct bent screwdriver would not have made it easier in my case.
With the door on the car, you definitely need this tool.
Thanks revel_inmy_loss, I've seen what they look like, but this article actually had dimension as well as angle. The ecklers tool only has I bend I believe. The do it yourself had 2.
So I ask again.......Does any one have that link or know where I can find the info to make my own tool? The one I'm talking about had 2 angles and seemed to work better than the store bought ones.