Hood hindge “spring install”

[markrazz]

is there an easy way to get these on?
I just received new replacements fig someone here may have the easiest way to get these back on....

 

[RubberFloorMat]

Weld yourself up a handle and a 6-8” long point and bend the end into a hook, similar to a hay hook if you’re country

 

[1-ton]

The way I have done in the past is to remove the hood from the hinges, and then with the hinges in the closed position use a pair of pliers to pull the spring onto the hinge hooks. Then of course after that...you have to re-install the hood on to your truck. Lot of work for a simple pair of hood hinge springs, but every thing turns out to be that way when you trying to keep an old used vehicle on the road.

 

[diesel4me]

Maybe use a ratchet strap or come-a-long to stretch the spring ?..
The "hay hook" might work if your gorilla enough to stretch those springs..be careful,springs cause me more injuries than most any other item on things..

I use the "hay hook" tool often on heavy springs on riding mower idler pulleys ,its the only way other than clamping vise grips on the spring and hope they don't pull free while your putting maximum force at stretching the springs..many suck to get in the hole on the bracket,so many things in your way,no clearance either..

 

[Capt Ron]

I use the hole in the handle of the biggest crescent wrench I have {18" at least}, stick it over the end of the spring closest to the front of the hood then pry against the hinge mechanism while standing beside the truck. The spring will not fly off like it can if you use an open hook. It takes a bit of technique and you have to kind of roll the wrench but that is the best way I have found.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

This sounds like a suck job.

 

[beags86]

This sounds like a suck job.

It's a total suck job. I damn near knocked my teeth out doing it.

You have to be super careful with no hood. More then one guy has actually lost their teeth on these trucks.

 

[Kain]

crowbar works to and like ^^they said be careful you can hurt yourself

 

[diesel4me]

Those strings are very strong,I have used them on small plows on riding mowers when the originals busted,and they didn't let the blade flop over as easily as the originals..

I hate dealing with springs,the ones on drum brakes suck too,though usually you can use a screwdriver to lever them on,or vise grips,I never had any success with those special pliers..

One very stiff idler pulley spring I was stretching to put on a riding mower drive belt slipped off the hook as I was pulling it,and it snapped back and the hooked end of the spring went right thru the palm of my hand,kind of like a fish hook..

I had to extract it with pliers--didn't go to the ER,I opted to just wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide ,it hurt like hell for over a month..of course it was my right hand,and I'm right handed..couldn't do much without pain,especially use tools or write anything..was lucky I didn't get tetanus..

 

[USSkoval]

Clamp the spring end in a vice, then flex the spring side to side. When you flex it sideways, insert shims in between the coils as they spread apart. It takes a lot of shims, but it can make the spring extended enough to slip it in place with the hood up. Then when you lower the hood, the springs extend and the shims simply fall out.

 

[tenderfoot]

Clamp the spring end in a vice, then flex the spring side to side. When you flex it sideways, insert shims in between the coils as they spread apart. It takes a lot of shims, but it can make the spring extended enough to slip it in place with the hood up. Then when you lower the hood, the springs extend and the shims simply fall out.

Holy Crap that's genius

 

[USSkoval]

Holy Crap that's genius

I can't take credit for it, I read about it somewhere years ago. I tried it on my '70 Impala's hood spring and it worked great.