79 door hinge spring
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
Anyone have an oem part number for the spring? Thinking maybe if I get an oem it might help. I would think there were tons of these made for other models and later years too but I can't find a part number.
Thanks
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If the spring worked but then popped out, you didn't get it seated all the way in the D slot. When the spring is seated in this slot it also falls into the notch on the other end. In the video you'll see us tapping the spring into place.
Now I don't know where you got your springs either but for a while there were some bogus reproduction springs that were too long. (we mention this in the video as well) So check your spring via the measurement in the video before you install them.
Imho,
Willcox
Now I don't know where you got your springs either but for a while there were some bogus reproduction springs that were too long. (we mention this in the video as well) So check your spring via the measurement in the video before you install them.
Imho,
Willcox
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
If the spring worked but then popped out, you didn't get it seated all the way in the D slot. When the spring is seated in this slot it also falls into the notch on the other end. In the video you'll see us tapping the spring into place.
Now I don't know where you got your springs either but for a while there were some bogus reproduction springs that were too long. (we mention this in the video as well) So check your spring via the measurement in the video before you install them.
Imho,
Willcox
Now I don't know where you got your springs either but for a while there were some bogus reproduction springs that were too long. (we mention this in the video as well) So check your spring via the measurement in the video before you install them.
Imho,
Willcox
My feeling is that the pocket itself is buggered up. It now seems to hold if the door isn't opened to its limits. The spring winds up getting "pushed" upon closing and doesn't ride over the rollers when it is opened to max and then closed. At any rate, I'll go see how it does an check back. Thanks again
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thanks Willcox. I can't imagine I don't have it seated but it's possible My feeling is that the pocket itself is buggered up. It now seems to hold if the door isn't opened to its limits. The spring winds up getting "pushed" upon closing and doesn't ride over the rollers when it is opened to max and then closed. At any rate, I'll go see how it does an check back. Thanks again
My feeling is that the pocket itself is buggered up. It now seems to hold if the door isn't opened to its limits. The spring winds up getting "pushed" upon closing and doesn't ride over the rollers when it is opened to max and then closed. At any rate, I'll go see how it does an check back. Thanks againAnother question asked above: The spring we never service separately by GM, they have always been an aftermarket part. With GM the only way to get the spring was to replace the upper hinge.
Willcox
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
The fail mode seems to mostly be associated with maximal opening. The downward leg of the spring pulls in tight behind the "roller" and doesn't slide back over it upon closing. The "roller" basically pulls the spring out of position. I have seen the entire spring drop down loose when the door is fully opened, also. Thing is, I have levered that lower spring end in as far as possible and beat the hell out of it to makes sure it's then seated up as far as possible. There is just about zero clearance between the upper arc of the spring and the body of the car above it, so it isn't going to any further. It seems to function just fine if I don't open it to the max.
Last edited by tonak; Mar 28, 2015 at 07:04 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The fail mode seems to mostly be associated with maximal opening. The downward leg of the spring pulls in tight behind the "roller" and doesn't slide back over it upon closing. The "roller" basically pulls the spring out of position. I have seen the entire spring drop down loose when the door is fully opened, also. Thing is, I have levered that lower spring end in as far as possible and beat the hell out of it to makes sure it's then seated up as far as possible. There is just about zero clearance between the upper arc of the spring and the body of the car above it, so it isn't going to any further. It seems to function just fine if I don't open it to the max.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
If I grab them with "bent needle nose" pliers, I can just get them to turn. They really don't seem to turn at all when the door functions. Passenger side works fine and I don't see the rollers turn there either. I have not measured the diameter of the springs but the passenger side does seem a bit thicker which might keep it in contact with the rollers on max opening while the one I have replaced might be losing that contact. It does seem to pull in behind the rollers more for lack of a better description. You know it's an awkward area to get to and written description of it all isn't easy 
I also wonder if the failing spring side door hinge isn't opening just a tad too far, or further than it should which could cause the issue. I keep the lever, hammer and long nose pliers in the car these days
I also wonder if the failing spring side door hinge isn't opening just a tad too far, or further than it should which could cause the issue. I keep the lever, hammer and long nose pliers in the car these days
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
:beatdeadh orse:So the spring dropped down and hung in the slot and all was lined up so I said screw it, let it be. It works just fine like that, for now anyway. It's acting like it will continue to function in what has to be a non-seated position, go figure!
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