how to replace door hinge spring?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
how to replace door hinge spring?
So, short story - last time I replaced it the door was off, now it broke again and it doesn't look so easy to do 
- any tips?
Long story - day one, I stop at New Fong for some take out after work, when a truck pulls up and the guy rolls the window down and says he did a u-turn and followed me in to look at me car. He was impressed with the wheels and paint and interior etc and said it was one of the nicest he's seen - no real strangers have ever complimented me on my stuff before, so yay me
. On my way out dude #2 walking into the liqour store gives me a thumbs up and a 'nice corvette'. (I don't think he was drunk yet). Wow, I felt pretty good, as I have done everything on this car by myself and I was pretty amazed. Day two, I'm taking the tops off the car after work and WHOOPS I drop one and break it! 
None to blame but myself, and these are what, 600 bucks a piece? So I put duct tape on it to hold it together to drive to work the next day in the rain
... Day three, I get home from work, open the door, and SNAP there goes the door spring. AAAHHHHH I love old cars....
PS - I have to say that thanks to a forum member here I'm getting a replacement set of tops on the cheap - fiberglass this time, that I can paint to match the car - Thanks Steve
- any tips?Long story - day one, I stop at New Fong for some take out after work, when a truck pulls up and the guy rolls the window down and says he did a u-turn and followed me in to look at me car. He was impressed with the wheels and paint and interior etc and said it was one of the nicest he's seen - no real strangers have ever complimented me on my stuff before, so yay me
. On my way out dude #2 walking into the liqour store gives me a thumbs up and a 'nice corvette'. (I don't think he was drunk yet). Wow, I felt pretty good, as I have done everything on this car by myself and I was pretty amazed. Day two, I'm taking the tops off the car after work and WHOOPS I drop one and break it! None to blame but myself, and these are what, 600 bucks a piece? So I put duct tape on it to hold it together to drive to work the next day in the rain... Day three, I get home from work, open the door, and SNAP there goes the door spring. AAAHHHHH I love old cars....PS - I have to say that thanks to a forum member here I'm getting a replacement set of tops on the cheap - fiberglass this time, that I can paint to match the car - Thanks Steve
Last edited by mxscooter; Aug 10, 2010 at 11:14 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 17
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
From: Trumbull CT.
I ground about 1/8" off the end of the lower S and used the tool in the article.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...placement.html
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...placement.html
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
It is really worth the $12.00 for the tool to get the spring installed. It is nothing more than a bent screwdriver but it is bent at exactly the right angle.
http://corvette-parts.zip-corvette.c...g%20tool&year=
Rick B.
http://corvette-parts.zip-corvette.c...g%20tool&year=
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Cool, instead of that tool how about a pry bar, you know - it looks almost just like that with the screwdriver handle, anyone used one of those? I have a myriad of them layin' about.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
go to harbor freight, buy a $3.00 flat blade screw driver about 12-14 inches long. heat the shaft 2.5 inches from the tip, bend to about 30 degrees. presto-whamo!
this is what i have used to change the springs on about 6 doors.
this is what i have used to change the springs on about 6 doors.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fla
Don't mess around with it,buy the tool install your spring,it takes a little messing around with and goes in easy.Put the tool in your toolbox for the next time,the right tools make the task easier.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 48
From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Gotta post some pics Jeff. Guys, he does have one very nice looking Vette.
Picking up your tops tomorrow. Should be on the way to you on Friday.
And, working on those other parts also. May be a couple weeks though. One of the parts joints I use is closed for a week.
Picking up your tops tomorrow. Should be on the way to you on Friday.
And, working on those other parts also. May be a couple weeks though. One of the parts joints I use is closed for a week.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: RTP NC
I bought the tool and it took 2 mins... tops! to install the spring. Here's some pics that might help..
Tab,
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...Door%20Spring/
Tab,
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...Door%20Spring/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Thanks! That's all I need to know. You saved me the price of the tool and S & H.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
I bought the tool and it took about 3 seconds once you figure it out. Even though the springs come with instructions (Ecklers) it took me about 15 minutes of swearing and huffing to get it. Click. The 'tool' is basically a medium/large flathead screwdriver with a 30 - 40 deg bend in the shaft.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Barrie Ontario
Forget making one, get the right tool, takes a few minutes to install and no aggravation. Yes, it is a flat screw driver, but the correct angle is the key. Good luck at what ever you decide to do.
Domer
Domer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Hmmmmm some buy the tool, some make the tool - I can't justify the few bucks to buy one if I could make one, I've got plenty of big ol' screwdrivers laying around and don't need another one-off wierdo rolling around in the drawer lol. We'll see what happens when I go to buy the spring I suppose.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I ground about 1/8" off the end of the lower S and used the tool in the article.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...placement.html
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...placement.html
Last edited by workerbee; Dec 12, 2012 at 11:57 AM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I ground about 1/8" off the end of the lower S and used the tool in the article.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...placement.html
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...placement.html
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I made mine myself also I bent it about 45degrees roughly 3" from end prob could have been a little shorter had it in in less then 2 mins thanks for info
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Frisco Texas
FWIW - I did it using the video from the willcox website. did not have the tool, took me about 40 minutes to finally get it right. I think 39 minutes and 57 seconds of my time is well worth 12 bucks plus S&H. I relearned the lesson about using the right tool for the job.
Mark
Mark
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I tired for hours this am with the tool. I can get the spring install but it pops out went the door hinge stop roller push it out slightly. It's not critical but the I just completed door and power window tune with new door panel felts, window rattlers, correct screws, and a lube job of window actuators. I thought the springs would go smoothly but not for this old man. Advise or remedy or welcome. Thx
