C-2 Convertible Deck Hinges

[Don Z.]

Does anyone know if there has been any articles written regarding the removal and re-installation of the hinges for the rear deck. There was an article in the Spring Restorer but it did not give the how to's. I searched the archives and found some info but there again nothing regarding the how to's.
My springs are getting weak and I thought in a few months its cold, time to change them. I'm assuming the deck lid needs to come off. I found there are 3 bolts, 2 high & 1 low. Do you remove them and the bracket with the spring comes out as a unit? Can you remove the spring only with the deck lid open and in the air? Never tackled anthing like this. Please send H E L P. Thank You

[Donald T.]

Re: C-2 Convertible Deck Hinges

Don,

Removing decklid hinges is a real pain. It might be possible to just remove and reinstall the springs by themselves, but I've tried without much success. I think the best way is to first remove the decklid. Next, remove the 3 hinge bolts, and then wrestle the complete hinge assembly out as a complete unit. You can then secure the hinge assembly on a bench vice to remove and reinstall the spring. Also, there are 3 notches to retain the upper end of the spring. When you install the replacement spring, the factory used the middle notch. You then just need to reinstall the complete hinge assembly and then the decklid.

Good luck!

Don Terry

[Phil P.]

Re: C-2 Convertible Deck Hinges

the deck lid hinge assy's i've dealt with are difficult to remove---the upper 5/16" bolts usually twist off---if you are lucky the guy at the factory only put one in--seen this 2 cars--which mans you have an extra clean hole to re-use---if you choose to take the hinge assy out it is easier to remove the deck lid first---approach the car from the rear and lay over the rear deck use a 3/8 air ratchet and get with it---the best way i've found is to get some 3/8 steel gas line---take rough measure the distance of the upper and lower spring loops---"V" cut one end of the tube---get a 2 to 3 inch 3/8 bolt "V" grove the head put on a nut thread it up to the head of the bolt---slip the into the gas line and install it in between the upper/lower loops of the spring---now you have a spring spreader---you will need to trim the non grooved end of the gas line to perfect the compressed fit---good luck

[Robert T.]

Re: C-2 Convertible Deck Hinges

Don,

I just completed mine and found it to be a fairly easy job. Problems arise when the 2 upper bolts are frozen. If they break off, the fix is a pain in the .... There is a good article in volume 32, number 4, Spring 2006. by Harry Sadlock. He gets into the repair/replacement of the nut plates. I was lucky. After removing the deck lid, the 3 bolts holding each hinge in place came right out. Once the bolts were out, the hinges come right out by tiping the top inboard. I clamped the springs in a vice and ran a steel cable through the centerand around the base of the vice. This acted as a safty cable much like the ones you see on garage door springs.

The spring was then removed using a large flat blade screw driver between the bottom of the spring and the base of the hinge.

I sent the hinges out to the powdercoater and for $25 each, he blasted them and powdercoated them. I bought new springs because one was a little thin at the hook.

Installation was the reverse. Make sure you keep track of any shims at the bottom of the hinge and put them back in the same place.

Good luck!

Rob T.

[Phil P.]

Re: C-2 Convertible Deck Hinges

i might have not made it very clear on the spreader tool---once installed (between the spring loops) you will hold the bolt head with a wrench and remove the nut with another wrench---this acts as the spreader---word of caution on any spring, do not zinc it unless it is heated after words,(oven baked),or you will have spring failure down the road---paint or powder coat is good---good luck

[Don Z.]

Re: C-2 Convertible Deck Hinges

Thanks to everyone for the comments. Sounds simple if the bolts are not frozen. I guess I will need to look closely and see if there is a lot of rust. At first glance it looks fairly clean back in that area. I will hope for the best.Thanks again for clearing the how to's up for this project.