64 Deck Lid Springs

[Bob Conterno]

I need to replace the drivers side deck lid spring on my 64. Are there any tricks of the trade to replacing the deck spring? Thankx, Bob

[Gary S.]

Re: 64 Deck Lid Springs

There is a special tool for expanding that big spring so that you can slip it on. However, I didn't want to spend the money on a specialized tool like that. One way that I tried, worked quite well. I undid the bolts that hold the end, where the spring hooks down in the convertible top well. I then hooked the spring to it and "assisted" the whole afair into proper place.
Gary

[Gary S.]

Re: 64 Deck Lid Springs

There is a special tool for expanding that big spring so that you can slip it on. However, I didn't want to spend the money on a specialized tool like that. One way that I tried, worked quite well. I undid the bolts that hold the end, where the spring hooks down in the convertible top well. I then hooked the spring to it and "assisted" the whole afair into proper place.
Gary

[Shane G.]

Re: 64 Deck Lid Springs

You can expand the spring using the hinges, and insert washers or nickles in between each of the coils of the spring in question. It worked best when I added spacers across the width of the spring from each other. Once you have the washers or spacers between the coils, you can relax the spring and you will find it is still extended and the hook ends can be removed from their holders. To install the new spring, I just held the hook in a bench vise and bent the spring over to allow spacers to be inserted between each coil, turned it around, and did the same thing to the other side so that the spacers were again across the width of the spring from each other. Then just hook the spring on, extend it with the hinge itself, and all the spacers will fall out. Wear Eye protection and a pair of gloves, as these springs have a fair amout of energy stored in them.

[Shane G.]

Re: 64 Deck Lid Springs

You can expand the spring using the hinges, and insert washers or nickles in between each of the coils of the spring in question. It worked best when I added spacers across the width of the spring from each other. Once you have the washers or spacers between the coils, you can relax the spring and you will find it is still extended and the hook ends can be removed from their holders. To install the new spring, I just held the hook in a bench vise and bent the spring over to allow spacers to be inserted between each coil, turned it around, and did the same thing to the other side so that the spacers were again across the width of the spring from each other. Then just hook the spring on, extend it with the hinge itself, and all the spacers will fall out. Wear Eye protection and a pair of gloves, as these springs have a fair amout of energy stored in them.