Installing a door "S" spring..........
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
Installing a door "S" spring..........
I need help installing an S door spring on a 78 Corvette driver's side door. Are there any videos of this?
The ones on YouTube don't help much. Everyone installs them off of the car. Or with the door off.
I'm having trouble holding a light, holding the tool, moving the wiring out of the way and holding the door in the right place with only two hands.
Anyone have any idea how to get the thing on?
Thanks
The ones on YouTube don't help much. Everyone installs them off of the car. Or with the door off.
I'm having trouble holding a light, holding the tool, moving the wiring out of the way and holding the door in the right place with only two hands.
Anyone have any idea how to get the thing on?
Thanks
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Jimmy,
I agree, the youtube videos are not very good. I think there are only three of them. However, if you've watched them you'll get a pretty good idea how the spring installs. I put mine in in 5 minutes. Just get a larger screwdriver that you can sacrifice by heating and bending to about 45 degrees. This will make installation super simple. Put the spring in place with the upper part of the hook in its notched position, bend the spring open a bit, from the lower loop with the bent screwdriver and tap it upwards with a small hammer. Pops right into place.
Greg
I agree, the youtube videos are not very good. I think there are only three of them. However, if you've watched them you'll get a pretty good idea how the spring installs. I put mine in in 5 minutes. Just get a larger screwdriver that you can sacrifice by heating and bending to about 45 degrees. This will make installation super simple. Put the spring in place with the upper part of the hook in its notched position, bend the spring open a bit, from the lower loop with the bent screwdriver and tap it upwards with a small hammer. Pops right into place.
Greg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Jimmy,
I agree, the youtube videos are not very good. I think there are only three of them. However, if you've watched them you'll get a pretty good idea how the spring installs. I put mine in in 5 minutes. Just get a larger screwdriver that you can sacrifice by heating and bending to about 45 degrees. This will make installation super simple. Put the spring in place with the upper part of the hook in its notched position, bend the spring open a bit, from the lower loop with the bent screwdriver and tap it upwards with a small hammer. Pops right into place.
Greg
I agree, the youtube videos are not very good. I think there are only three of them. However, if you've watched them you'll get a pretty good idea how the spring installs. I put mine in in 5 minutes. Just get a larger screwdriver that you can sacrifice by heating and bending to about 45 degrees. This will make installation super simple. Put the spring in place with the upper part of the hook in its notched position, bend the spring open a bit, from the lower loop with the bent screwdriver and tap it upwards with a small hammer. Pops right into place.
Greg
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
I'll try it again tomorrow. Thanks guys.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,684
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
The bent screwdriver makes it easier but since your problem is banging it upwards, I’ll assume you’ve got this part figured out. I used another pry bar in the top loop and banged upwards a couple of times. A little grease on the spring helps it slide upwards too.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
Well, I finally got it today. I needed to get it outside so I had more room. I think my problem was- I was trying to pull the wiring inside instead of pushing it out against the door.
I bought the tool from Mid American to install it with. And like someone mentioned, I got a long screwdriver and pulled it up before I started hammering on it at the bottom.
So thanks for your help guys. I really appreciated it.
I bought the tool from Mid American to install it with. And like someone mentioned, I got a long screwdriver and pulled it up before I started hammering on it at the bottom.
So thanks for your help guys. I really appreciated it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Just for future reference, this is off the car, but this video should show you how it's done. 
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jun 5, 2018 at 12:54 PM.
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