Both of the Door Springs on my 1981 are missing, so I ordered some replacements from Ecklers.

They came with installation instructions, but it's not as easy as they claim.

Has anyone installed these? Any helpful hints?

I'm able to sit the top part of the spring in the proper place.

The next step is to use the spring installation tool, which I purchased for $12, to twist the spring -AND- at the same time, bang the spring up into place.

The problem is the door conduit is in the way and I'm worried I'm break it with the hammer. There is also not a lot of room to work in that space.

Please tell me you don't have to remove the door to install these things - that seems like wayyyyyy too much trouble.

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

 

This is from a post I did earlier this year on the Springs.... It's really not that hard of a job if you take your time.

Ok, here we go... Today I went out to the shop, had them blast this old hinge and paint it a pretty Jade Green... I figured it would show the spring installation better...

When you install the spring in the hinge.. you want to make sure that A is on top side... and you want to make sure you install it in to slot B. When you do this you'll actually have A a bit further down in the hinge then it will be when you have it installed, but this how it is done to get the spring installed properly!

Once you have the spring in this position, install the door hinge tool, or a large bent pry bar and twist the spring until the bottom edge can fall in to D. When you have the spring twisted to this point you'll see won't see it but it has to fall in to the pocket D! Simply tap upward on the spring at point C just a tiny bit and the spring lock in at the top of the hinge and lock in at the bottom in pocket D. This is what holds the spring in the twisted position and if it's not in the pocket it will interfere with the rollers.

Just remember, the side marked A and B is the top side, and the one marked C is the lower... This should help.. Just make sure when you have the spring installed that the lower end of the S is up inside the pocket D or the spring will not stay loaded and in place. It is critical that you make sure you have this locked in andI have seen a newly installed spring come through a customers door! This was from a mechanic not getting it tucked (tapped) up in the lip pocket D. In this instance the spring fell outward and when the customer shut the door the spring pushed through the end of it..

Hope this helps you.

Willcox

 

Here is a link to the original Thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...post1575915762

 

Hey... thanks a lot for the instructions - very helpful.

My only question is, how did you tap on the bottom of the spring at point c - was the conduit not right in the way? There is also VERY little room to swing a hammer.

 

It just takes a little tap.. Use a long scraper like that used for cleaning the gaskets off a cylinder head or something.. Slide it in there and then tap the scraper (pry bar, screw driver)..