Door Spring Instalation Tricks
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Door Spring Instalation Tricks
While I wait for Bowtie to sort out the problem with my cross member, I'm trying to complete a couple of nagging things that weren't as important and have been troublesome. I finally got the engine mount bolt in (rediculously hard) and fixed my t-top pad. I'm now trying to put in the driver's side door spring. I know how to do it and have done quite a few before, but this one has me baffled.
I've lubed the spring, I've cleaned and lubed the rollers, I have the instalation tool and even a Craftsman pry bar that is similar in shape but about 18 inches longer. I can get the spring close, but can't get it to seat and stay in place.
Anyone have this happen and any tips on something that I might be missing? The passenger side on this car took 10 minutes. I've now got at least three hours on the driver side.
I've lubed the spring, I've cleaned and lubed the rollers, I have the instalation tool and even a Craftsman pry bar that is similar in shape but about 18 inches longer. I can get the spring close, but can't get it to seat and stay in place.
Anyone have this happen and any tips on something that I might be missing? The passenger side on this car took 10 minutes. I've now got at least three hours on the driver side.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
While I wait for Bowtie to sort out the problem with my cross member, I'm trying to complete a couple of nagging things that weren't as important and have been troublesome. I finally got the engine mount bolt in (rediculously hard) and fixed my t-top pad. I'm now trying to put in the driver's side door spring. I know how to do it and have done quite a few before, but this one has me baffled.
I've lubed the spring, I've cleaned and lubed the rollers, I have the instalation tool and even a Craftsman pry bar that is similar in shape but about 18 inches longer. I can get the spring close, but can't get it to seat and stay in place.
Anyone have this happen and any tips on something that I might be missing? The passenger side on this car took 10 minutes. I've now got at least three hours on the driver side.
I've lubed the spring, I've cleaned and lubed the rollers, I have the instalation tool and even a Craftsman pry bar that is similar in shape but about 18 inches longer. I can get the spring close, but can't get it to seat and stay in place.
Anyone have this happen and any tips on something that I might be missing? The passenger side on this car took 10 minutes. I've now got at least three hours on the driver side.
This may sound like a silly suggestion, but maybe the springs are left and right. Maybe you got two right springs. I have no other input since I have never had to deal with this, but I'll sit in since I may have to soon.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
There is a good article if you search the Forum, but...
Get the front of the spring in it's mounting holeand the "shaft" of the spring in the groove, put the installation tool in the spring so you can pull the bottom back far enough to get it in place to go up into the hole, that you can't see, and have a few whacks on the bottom "U" of the spring with a small hammer, driving it up into it's final spot.
It's kind of a pain, but once you've spent the four hours trying everything else, it'll pop into place.
Get the front of the spring in it's mounting holeand the "shaft" of the spring in the groove, put the installation tool in the spring so you can pull the bottom back far enough to get it in place to go up into the hole, that you can't see, and have a few whacks on the bottom "U" of the spring with a small hammer, driving it up into it's final spot.
It's kind of a pain, but once you've spent the four hours trying everything else, it'll pop into place.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by David Ey
there is not a rt and left is there?
I just did som ecatalog checking and no one specifies a L or R spring, so I assume they are universal for fit for side. It was just a guess.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by David Ey
there is not a rt and left is there?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
I don't think so. The parts that I have don't specify right or left. The problem seems to be in getting it to seat properly.
I'm glad the poster mentioned tapping it with a hammer...seems like such an easy solution to a hard problem, yet when it's right in front of you it evades you.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Pretty easy, insert the spring in the upper hole, make sure it's in correctly, use the tool or prybar to get the spring aligned with the lower hole and drive it home with a hammer
It may not have 'Sticky' potential, but it's good to see a commonly useful trick like that.
