Door hinge spring -help installing

[ArkShark]

I am missing one from my drivers side door. Its nice when the door comes back and hits my shins while I'm trying to get out.

I have ordered the part from Ecklers, (but not their $10 bent-screwdriver-tool).

Anyone have any experience in installing one of these, with the door attached?

Thanks

 

[72Mako]

Mike, I replaced one of the broken "S" springs on my driver door some 10 years ago. Yes it can be done with the door in place. I didn't buy the special screwdriver either. Instead, I bent a cheap Taiwan screwwdriver into the required shape. View a pic of the special screwdriver in a catalog to get an idea of the required angle. As you study the spring and tool, you can figure out how it goes in. As I recall. it was not difficult. If you need the angle on the screwdriver, I can go out and measure it on the one I bent up. Charles

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I didn't have much luck with bending a cheap screwdriver. The force of the spring kept bending it back. As I recall, I ended up with a small crow bar and a rag against the door and got the proper pressure on the spring.

 

[red70vette]

You will need the tool either purchased or hand made. If you try it without it it is a real PITA. With the tool it is real easy job to complete. After 2 hours without the tool and getting nowhere I bought one and it took me 10 minutes. Well worth the 10 bucks

 

[68Roadster]

Ditto..tool...10 minutes....presto! No more banged up shins.....
I can loan ya mine!

 

[Tsker79]

Door Spring

I concur with buying the tool. I did mine also, in about 15 minutes. Just make sure that you tap the spring fully in its seat. The first time, I must not have seated it all the way in and the spring jumped out when I closed and reopened the door. The second time I apparently seated it correctly. It's still there !!!

 

[ArkShark]

Can anyone give me a few dimensions from their tool? I found an old screwdriver, propane torch, arbor press... and bingo, bent tool. But I think I may have bent it too short. Will that matter?

Here are my dimensions:
Tip to bend = 2" , Bend angle, 135*, bend to handle = 2.75"

Think I'll have any problems?

Mike

 

[Paul T]

Listen to TSKER79. Be sure you tap the spring into its seat with a good tap with a small hammer. Makes all the difference.

 

[72Mako]

Can anyone give me a few dimensions from their tool? I found an old screwdriver, propane torch, arbor press... and bingo, bent tool. But I think I may have bent it too short. Will that matter?

Here are my dimensions:
Tip to bend = 2" , Bend angle, 135*, bend to handle = 2.75"

Think I'll have any problems?

Mike

Mike, I just went out an measured my homemade job.
Tip to bend = 2", Bend angle, 135 degrees, bend to handle = 3 1/2", handle length = 4" and blade tip width is 5/16". Sounds pretty similar to mine. My screwdriver is pretty stout and had no problem with the spring tension. Anyhow, it worked for me. Good Luck. Charles

 

[BlueL36]

Another tip- put an old towel or tee shirt on the door sill in the space between the door and fender. You'll drop or knock the spring off at least once and the padding will save the paint.

I bent a fairly stout old screwdriver to do the trick (didn't want to spend the money for something I'd use once.) Used a piece of broom handle as a hammer to tap the spring up (didn't want the claw on my hammer to nick the paint.)

 

[ArkShark]

Thanks for all the help guys, I did the install in just a few minutes this afternoon.
The bent screwdriver did help.

No more bruised shins!