When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The spring that works the door stops fell out of my 73, and I can't figure out how to get it back. Chevrolet Corvette Restoratio Guide shows a bent screwdriver tool to install, but doesn't show how. Anybody have any help, possibly with a picture? Thanks in advance. Joe
Sorry I don't have any picutres but I just did mine yesterday and it was easy.. Assuming yours is the same as my '80.. Use a flash light and find the wholes and grooves where it sits.. top and bottom. Once the spring is in the top whole and groove you position the bottom in the groove. The tool is then used to push the end of the spring in towards the car a bit to lign up with the bottom retaining whole. Use the tool for leverage to bend the spring.. I then tapped the spring upwards with a pair of plyers to seat it.. DAMM.. this is harder to explain then do.. Good luck.. You can always look at the other side if your not sure how it sits..
Fell out? It's not broken is it? Is it still "S" shaped?
I know I have an old Corvette Fever article on the procedure somewhere, but I don't think it had any good pictures of using the custom tool. I can try to post it if you can't find anything better. Let me know.
Thanks, Koz, for the website and write-up. I think I understand, and I will try it tomorrow. The spring is still intact, and I know how it is supposed to fit, but couldn't figure out how to get it in. That door always squeeked, even after I sprayed grease on the hinges. Must have been the spring. Joe
Here's my attempt at a descriptive pictures.. :crazy: Trying to hold the light and camera and tool..well..you get the idea.. Hope it helps! :cheers:
I was getting the grunting noise after installing the spring. The top of the spring was hitting the rollers.. Actually the door wouldn't stay open after I first installed it. Could be cause I'm on a ramp BUT the passenger side held SO I removed the spring and bent it out a tad to give it more tention...A few open and closes later the spring popped out. :confused: I checked the passenger side and noticed the bottom of the spring was pretty much up as high as it could go and the rollers were about 1/4 to 1/2 below the tip.. Reinstalled the drivers side the same and so far so good! Since it's Monday guess you know all this by now.. :lol:
I just installed a spring in my car Saturday. The tool makes all the difference. I had tried installing it with a regular screw driver, but it did not work. With the tool you wedge in on each side of the bottom of the spring and push in towards the car. The only additional tool I used was a hammer to wack the bottom of the spring up into the recessed hole in the hinge.
You need one hand to hold the spring.. One to hold the tool.. one to hold the flash light and one to hold your beer.. That's yourself and a couple female assistants..;) If your married and get along the wife will do.. If your married and the misses doesn't get involved with your car..like me.. you can do it yourself.. You sometimes wish you had that third hand but it would most likely just get in the way.. On a scale of 1 to 10 this is a :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: and only cause you need a special tool.. Good luck!