Door Spring Secret
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
Door Spring Secret
I bought one of th "S" shaped door springs from Ecklers and it came with no install instructions. They do advise buying an install tool that looks like a bent screwdriver. I took out my broken spring, so I know which end goes on top. How the heck do I install? I tried putting the top in first but I could not get the bottom of the spring in it's hole. I pried it with a BFS but did not get much movement.
Please advise the best procedure. Is the Eckler's tool really magic?
Thanks,
Clint
Please advise the best procedure. Is the Eckler's tool really magic?
Thanks,
Clint
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,757
Likes: 2,508
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I would get or make the special tool.....it helps. I fiddled for about 1/2 hour before really thinking it out and when I did I was done in 5 minutes. First drop the spring in the top hole. Take the tool and flex the spring back until it lines up with the bottom hole and then tap the spring up into the hole with a hammer. I hope this helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 1
From: Atascadero CA
I just replaced mine recently. I followed this procedure:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=67&TopicID=3
it was pretty easy after I figured out how line up the lower spring end, and tap it into place. BTW, I bought the spring installation tool, and I don't think I could have completed the installation without it.
Mark
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=67&TopicID=3
it was pretty easy after I figured out how line up the lower spring end, and tap it into place. BTW, I bought the spring installation tool, and I don't think I could have completed the installation without it.
Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
A stout bent screwdriver will work, too, and is cheaper. The secret is to use the tool to pry the spring into position and then tap the bottom of the spring upward with a small hammer to set it into the hinge hole. Another tip: put a towel or some other rag in the space between the door and body so when the spring drops it doesnt' scratch the doorsill area. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by burners
That's pretty much what I did. A bent tool of some kind is useful. I had a few prybars that were small enough to use.
<sorry to hijack the thread like that>
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
I did that too. Has anyone else noticed that the replacement Ecklers or MAD springs are a lot less stout than the OEM one? I replaced the spring on my drivers door, but the one on the other door has twice as much tension on it and holds the right side door a whole lot better.
<sorry to hijack the thread like that>
<sorry to hijack the thread like that>
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Clint's C3
Thanks guys. I guess I'll buy the tool. Unless someone has one they want to sell.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 386
Likes: 1
From: Grafton WV
You have to make sure that the bottom of the spring is in the lower groove or you will never get it in. Like they said put the top in first and make sure the bottom is in as well.
Don't ask me how I know this, fought that damn spring till i figured this out..
Don't ask me how I know this, fought that damn spring till i figured this out..
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I made the tool out of a screw driver tha tI had. A little time with the torch and I bent it one way and the tip the other way so it holds onto the spring. Cost me nothing but an old screw driver that I was not using.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
Originally Posted by Gordonm
I made the tool out of a screw driver tha tI had. A little time with the torch and I bent it one way and the tip the other way so it holds onto the spring. Cost me nothing but an old screw driver that I was not using.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
Door Spring
I too had some fustrations not having the instructions. I had my brother-in-law bend me a scredriver, found the instructions on www.madvet.com (look up c3 door spinig, download the pdf file or use the link below) and tapped that spring into place quite easily. Good luck.
http://content.madirect.com/pdf/602095.pdf
http://content.madirect.com/pdf/602095.pdf
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Brandon Manitoba
Make your own tool !
Just did this job this afternoon. Took a screwdriver and put the first 2 1/2 inches in the vice. Put the torch on it for about a minute and bent it 45 degrees. Take the end of the spring with the small loop and put to the top in the notches. Used the bent screwdriver to pry sping in line with hole on bottom of hinge and tapped it up with a small hammer. This is a job I had been putting off for a while and it was a snap . Took about 10 mins , no bleeding , no cursing , not a bad task . Brent
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
Likes: 10
From: Billings Montana
I bought the install tool. Would have been hard to do with out it. I was in Sears awhile ago and the have some bend pry bars that should work. The tool fro Ecklers is about 9" long and bent at about a 45 degree angle about 1/2" behind the tip. I have the instruction sheet. send me your email address and I will email it to you. email: dale.r.miller@bresnan.net.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 28
From: Spring, Texas
Originally Posted by Gordonm
I made the tool out of a screw driver tha tI had. A little time with the torch and I bent it one way and the tip the other way so it holds onto the spring. Cost me nothing but an old screw driver that I was not using.