Candy-Cane from Hell
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Candy-Cane from Hell
Howdy Folks,
Tis the season, I know... but when I bought my '78, I noticed a chip on the point of the door. I read that could mean rust or damage to the birdcage, so I did all the necessary checking and found nothing. Then, yesterday I open up the door and hear a chip.
Well I felt it hit something, so I crack the door open and shine a flash light in. I found this Candy-Cane shaped piece of metal that has broken off from the base and it is definitely the culprit. I managed to get it out, but didn't grab a picture after I did.
I have pics of the damage and of the hook in the door. What is this thing? Do I need to replace the hook?
Thanks guys
Tis the season, I know... but when I bought my '78, I noticed a chip on the point of the door. I read that could mean rust or damage to the birdcage, so I did all the necessary checking and found nothing. Then, yesterday I open up the door and hear a chip.
Well I felt it hit something, so I crack the door open and shine a flash light in. I found this Candy-Cane shaped piece of metal that has broken off from the base and it is definitely the culprit. I managed to get it out, but didn't grab a picture after I did.
I have pics of the damage and of the hook in the door. What is this thing? Do I need to replace the hook?
Thanks guys
Last edited by Jacob S.; Dec 13, 2016 at 06:44 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
Howdy Folks,
Tis the season, I know... but when I bought my '78, I noticed a chip on the point of the door. I read that could mean rust or damage to the birdcage, so I did all the necessary checking and found nothing. Then, yesterday I open up the door and hear a chip.
Well I felt it hit something, so I crack the door open and shine a flash light in. I found this Candy-Cane shaped piece of metal that has broken off from the base and it is definitely the culprit. I managed to get it out, but didn't grab a picture after I did.
I have pics of the damage and of the hook in the door. What is this thing? Do I need to replace the hook?
Thanks guys
Tis the season, I know... but when I bought my '78, I noticed a chip on the point of the door. I read that could mean rust or damage to the birdcage, so I did all the necessary checking and found nothing. Then, yesterday I open up the door and hear a chip.
Well I felt it hit something, so I crack the door open and shine a flash light in. I found this Candy-Cane shaped piece of metal that has broken off from the base and it is definitely the culprit. I managed to get it out, but didn't grab a picture after I did.
I have pics of the damage and of the hook in the door. What is this thing? Do I need to replace the hook?
Thanks guys
Wes
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 169
Likes: 10
I bet the spring is broken.
and the broken chunk flipped out while the door was opened.
My car has a mark like that too.
Take the broken chunk of spring out in the meantime. or it can do even worse damage.
Putting in a new spring is a 5 min job. you have to buy a proper tool, and make your own. (basically a bent screwdriver)
and the broken chunk flipped out while the door was opened.
My car has a mark like that too.
Take the broken chunk of spring out in the meantime. or it can do even worse damage.
Putting in a new spring is a 5 min job. you have to buy a proper tool, and make your own. (basically a bent screwdriver)
Last edited by Rcdizy; Dec 14, 2016 at 08:26 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
Me too! I often wondered what caused this damage on my car. I thought maybe a previous owner damaged it while trying to replace the spring or hinge. 
Jimmy
Jimmy
Last edited by Tooch1; Dec 14, 2016 at 09:01 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: central Florida Florida
I am so glad I just read this post. I too have a fresh painted project that had a small spot near the hinge that was repaired and returned. I just wrote it off as a bad repair, but noticed that the door doesn't stay open on its own. I guess I'm going to dig that broken spring out of there before it does more damage.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Hey Hey, glad I can help some and sorry I'm not the only one it happened to, apparently it's pretty common! Would a little putty and paint fix up the chips or what?
And I'm going to buy two of the springs and replace both. My passenger door doesn't stay open either and I didn't realise that was a symptom of it. Can anyone point me towards the right tool? And do I need to take the door off to fix this?
Thanks everyone!
And I'm going to buy two of the springs and replace both. My passenger door doesn't stay open either and I didn't realise that was a symptom of it. Can anyone point me towards the right tool? And do I need to take the door off to fix this?
Thanks everyone!
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Navy Academy Grad?
Looking at your avatar JS.
Marshal
Looking at your avatar JS.
Marshal
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
Hey Hey, glad I can help some and sorry I'm not the only one it happened to, apparently it's pretty common! Would a little putty and paint fix up the chips or what?
And I'm going to buy two of the springs and replace both. My passenger door doesn't stay open either and I didn't realise that was a symptom of it. Can anyone point me towards the right tool? And do I need to take the door off to fix this?
Thanks everyone!
And I'm going to buy two of the springs and replace both. My passenger door doesn't stay open either and I didn't realise that was a symptom of it. Can anyone point me towards the right tool? And do I need to take the door off to fix this?
Thanks everyone!
Jimmy
Last edited by Tooch1; Dec 15, 2016 at 07:46 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
The damage most often occurs when someone attempt to replace-remove the old "s" shaped spring that holds the door open and Doesn't know hoe to do it or what simple tool to use..Is the bottom of the spring the candy cane piece that you found ? I'd bet it is and the top piece is still in place sorta..You can tap the upper remnant up and take it out carefully.Then get the new spring..about 8 bucks that's proper for your '78 and make the tool of buy it from Wilcox with instructions..Takes about 10 minutes to replace with proper tool and understanding what needs to happen..You can look at the other door and see how it is supposed to fit if that hold open spring is intact.
The damage to the door edge fiberglas and paint is another story..DONE RIGHT, door comes off and a qualified FELLOW will repair fiberglas shape, prime/paint..not a simple fix..jim
The damage to the door edge fiberglas and paint is another story..DONE RIGHT, door comes off and a qualified FELLOW will repair fiberglas shape, prime/paint..not a simple fix..jim
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
No need for a "special tool" it installs fairly easily with a regular long screw driver and some patience. Use the spring on the other door as a reference tool and install it the same way.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 103
From: Brisbane Queensland
This damage can also be caused by worn hinge pins. I have the same problem on my '69 vert
and I know I have worn hinge pins, as I can lift my doors. My springs are all good.
Mark
and I know I have worn hinge pins, as I can lift my doors. My springs are all good.
Mark
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
The damage most often occurs when someone attempt to replace-remove the old "s" shaped spring that holds the door open and Doesn't know hoe to do it or what simple tool to use..Is the bottom of the spring the candy cane piece that you found ? I'd bet it is and the top piece is still in place sorta..You can tap the upper remnant up and take it out carefully.Then get the new spring..about 8 bucks that's proper for your '78 and make the tool of buy it from Wilcox with instructions..Takes about 10 minutes to replace with proper tool and understanding what needs to happen..You can look at the other door and see how it is supposed to fit if that hold open spring is intact.
The damage to the door edge fiberglas and paint is another story..DONE RIGHT, door comes off and a qualified FELLOW will repair fiberglas shape, prime/paint..not a simple fix..jim
The damage to the door edge fiberglas and paint is another story..DONE RIGHT, door comes off and a qualified FELLOW will repair fiberglas shape, prime/paint..not a simple fix..jim
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
The Candy-Cane is actually the top part of the spring. I haven't gotten to look for the bottom portion yet, but I'm assuming it's fallen out or stuck in there some weird way as it's completely separated. Why will shaping putty around the chips not work? Not arguing, I'm new to this and that would've been my first go-to.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Yes you could use a dremel and carefully work on the chipped portion of the door, fill with a good thin layer of quality bondo, sand., shape prime and then use touch up paint That'd all help for appearances..You'll need to work in a warm environment...supplementary heat in the garage perhaps..
Such repairs cannot be done very well in the cold..jim