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

 

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/comp...placement.html

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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/

 

Thanks! That's all I need to know. You saved me the price of the tool and S & H.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

An old adage from ancient Naval aviation maintenance: "There's never enough time to do the 'job right the first time', but there's always enough time to do it again"... when you blow it

 

I think I have to grind off 1/8 on the top s curve, can not puy spring in sloted places because of clearence on top won't allow it, is that what you meant to say, the bottom s curve is not critical please reply

 

I think I have to grind off 1/8 on the top s curve, can not put spring in sloted places because of clearence on top won't allow it, is that what you ment to say, the bottom s curve is not critical please reply

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Probably best to start a new thread about it rather than hooking into a 10 year old one.'
That said

M