VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 hood spring install

Does anyone know how to install the hood springs onto a 50 chevy without buying some newfangled tool?

Danny

If they are new and not stretched, I have been told to hook one end on the axle of a floor jack and the other on the jack pad,then fill the expanded coil area with pennies. lots and lots of pennies, then let the jack down. I think I would find some way to tie the spring to the jack as there is a lot of energy there just waiting to get loose. Never tried it myself so cannot vouch for how well it would work. I would think that you would want to measure the stretched length and compare with what is needed to install them under the hood.

Thanks I will try that. I am glad you did not say use quarters as this restore has taken a lot of them. Ha Ha. Thanks
Danny

Here is a url that talks about making a spring removal tool. It also has an instructional video.
http://chevy.tocmp.com/miscellaneous/hoodspring.htm

Thanks, I like it.

Danny

So what is wrong with a large pair of vise grips and a prybar?


Ok,.... I am sorry for a minute I went back in time before OSHA and frivial law suits settled by Liberal Judges.....
That is the way we did it back in the old timey days.

regarding re-installing hood springs on transitional chevys, which i've done for the last 46 years: i'd rather sort polecats. mike

PS: i've always done it Mr Mack's way. mike

I have had some exciting times doing it that way myself, but I still have all my fingers, eyes and ears!....

It is my thinking that hood springs on pre-55 Chevrolets and 1928 U joints are the work of The Devil, himself......

A friend of mine with a 1959 Apache uses a piece of about 1 inch rod app. 4 foot long with a piece welded on the end to look like a large T. The extra piece acts as a handle to hold onto. He puts the of the rod onto the spring and expands it off its base. Removes the springs safely in seconds.

A comealong is what I have used many times to remove and install the springs on the 48,chef-

I know a person who can tell you why not a pry bar and a strong set of vice grips, he will show you the stitches required to patch his hand up.

Glyn, you gotta be careful in any endeavor you attempt. The last several sets of hood springs I installed I tied then up on a close leash with a shortlength of nylon rope to keep them from going thru the roof.

I know of several guys that died because they didn't know what they were doing.A car fell on them and a couple that have lost eyes using a lawn edger.

What is so tragic is how many die driving on the highway, thousands every year, many die just because they won't use their seat belts.


A few men I knew died because they never had a physical or prostate exam or a PSA test.

Lotsa hood spring stories out there. Just do a search for "hood springs" and you will see them all..........and get quite an education too!!!

I used a comealong like chef-chevy on my 48.

Several good methods ou there without buying special tools. Be creative...........and CAREFUL.

Thanks for all the replys.

Danny

Seems to me that I read in this forum about a guy who suggested using a lever/bar under the car connected by heavy wire to the spring. It might take two guys. Haven't tried it myself..

On this subject to remove the springs do you have to pull the fenders?

Chad

No.

Thank you Glyn Just wanted to make sure i didnt think so.

Chad

I've never done a 50 but I've done several 55 and up trucks. I used an old fashioned brake spring tool, the long plier type. one leg is cupped at one end, used to pull the stiff coil brake springs over the anchor stud. works like a champ.

Place a 4/4 plank on the outside of your garage door jam.Attach a heavy duty wire to the bottom of the spring then to the come along,rachet it to free or install the spring,slowly let off the tention.A 1 man job and quite safe,chef-