Door hinge "S" spring

[mikejpss]

OK folks, what do I need to do to have another "S" type door hinge spring installed. Is this something I can do myself in a short time, does the door need to come off, or what? Just found the passenger door spring broke and was able to remove it -luckily there is no damage to the door fiberglass as I've seen this on some. The spring merely broke in two and I was able to fish it out.
Was wondering how to install a new one-something tells me it ain't gonna be as simple as the old one coming out.
thanks in advance

 

[Yoda]

Mike,

Check out this recent Thread about this subject it about says it all, and very detailed too

 

[mikejpss]

Thanks Rare, looks like some good info. Will look at some of my catalogs to see what the bent tool looks like and will give it a shot.

Again, many thanks.
:Twist

 

[drquazar]

I did my driver side door last year. I didnt buy the tool either....It took 2 or 3 attempts without the tool, but it can be done with a regular screw driver as well. Its all about applying a little leverage to get it to pop into place.

Its very helpful to look at your working side to verify exactly where you are trying to have the S hinge WHILE the door is open. Placed wrong it will likely pop out.

Believe me I am not very handy, and managed it....Should be easy enough...

Drquazar

 

[vettenick]

If you keep the door about 2/3 open, that will give you a little extra room to work with. It's not hard at all. For $10, get the tool. If you're real particular, prime and paint the spring before.

 

[mikejpss]

Just to let everyone that helped me know that I installed the passenger door spring today, took less than 10 minutes , including the 5 mintues to study it and look at the drivers door. The enclosed instructions helped too.

As for the tool, I made one from a flat bladed screwdriver. The driver was a bit longer than the measurments given on this thread, but it didn't matter. The measurements given said of a 135 degree bend, in "southern (bubba)" talk, that would be a 45 degree bend (back from the 180 degree).
When my drivers door spring needs replacement, guess I'll have to bend another screwdriver for the left hand job since this one was bent for a right hand job!!! LMAO.......
Thanks again everyone.
I tried to attack a pic of the tool but it won't fly. If ur interested, email me and I'll send one to you.

 

[Yoda]

Mike,

Out of curiousity... was the old "S" broke? Mine is broken on the bottom, the top was still intact.. I just got a new "S" and also got the bent screwdriver, BUT NO INSTRUCTIONS.. I got the old one out easy enough, just havn't had time to figure out why the new one isn't working correctly..

Looks like it will be another week before I get a chance to look again.. I'll be out of town until the 27th..

Bud

 

[mikejpss]

Yep, my old one broke in two, the top half was in place , the bottom half "dangling".

Got my new ones from Ecklers, each came with a set of instructions complete with pic. If you like I'll take a pic of the instructions and email them to you.It is very simple.

You basically insert the spring top into it's hole, the spring top has a flattened part near the end. This part is most forward and is inserted into the hole. Take your tool and apply pressure to the bottom section of the spring, turning the tool towards the cab, then knock the spring upwards until the flattened section "snaps" into it's place in the hole. I never heard nor felt a snap, but the flattened part is within it's holding place in it's hole.
Probably doesnt make much sense now, but it will when you try it.

I'll try to take a pic and send it to you. Mike J.

 

[mikejpss]

Rare- if you dont mind, email me at home and i'll type the instructions directly to you with pics. This thread wont allow my pics b/c they are too big???!?!?!?!?