Changing Hood Hinge Springs...anyone?

[ChevyDude]

Ok, My hood is lined up the best I can get it and when I close it, you have to walk to the back and push down on each side to get it all the way down. I determined that my hood hinges are shot so ordered some brand new GM hood hinges from GM Parts Direct. The springs are not available so I want to swap my springs from the old shot hinges to the GM new hinges. I searched around and didn't find a thread with this info. Anyone that can help, I would appreciate it. I know I can use a couple of two by fours to remove the old hinge, one at a time,,,,But does anyone have anys tips on how to get the old springs off and onto the new hinge???

Thanks

Alex

[big blue 72]

My Dad did this with Big Blue YEARS ago..................
when i was still a youngun'
it involved some wood shims inserted into the springs to keep them lengthened with the hood fully opened. then ,....I'm not sure what.
I think he put sand bags on the back corners?????????????????????

[sevt_chevelle]

By far the safest and fastest method is to use a chain. Slip the end of the chain onto the end of spring, and pull. The spring will come off very smoothly and not flying around the shop.

Jamming nails nickels whatever between the spring coils is a hospital visit waiting to happen, not to mention it would scratch the crap out of a freshly painted spring.

[ChevyDude]

Ok....so remove the old hinge,,,secure it somehow, and use a "come along" to stretch the spring open...and safely remove the spring from the old hinge and place onto the NEW hinge.

I think I can do that.

[neonlarry]

I just replaced a broken hinge with one that didn't have a spring. After I took the broken hinge off the truck I just collapsed it in the direction that takes pressure off the spring and slipped the spring off (as in no tension) and then reversed the procedure with the new spring.

[centsless]

Use a pipe cut in half longways. Weld a washer on both ends. (not sure of the length) Open the hood, place the tool over the spring. You can put a few hose clamps around it to hold it there. Close the hood slowly and when the tension is off, remove the tool/spring assy. Install in reverse order.

[RustyParts]

If you decide to use new springs.

http://gmcpauls.com/Body&Bumpers.htm

[ChevyDude]

Ok got it.....secure one end of the hinge spring to cement wall via "I" hook and with wall anchor....attach tow hook to a driving truck bumper and the other end to the spring.....drive away from the wall ...stretching the spring out...remove old hinge and install new hinge. Put truck in reverse and allow spring to collapse on new hinge....Got it!!! LOL!!!

[centsless]

Originally Posted by ChevyDude

Ok got it.....secure one end of the hinge spring to cement wall via "I" hook and with wall anchor....attach tow hook to a driving truck bumper and the other end to the spring.....drive away from the wall ...stretching the spring out...remove old hinge and install new hinge. Put truck in reverse and allow spring to collapse on new hinge....Got it!!! LOL!!!

EXACTLY!!!!!!
but dont forget to wear your safety glasses

[C10-Driver]

I picked up a trick from a member posted on a thread similar to this one. If the hinges are off the truck it works great. Not sure how well it would work if they were on the truck because I haven't tried it.

Here goes... Secure one end of the hinge (I found my foot works quite well). Loop a shop rag or small towel through one end of the spring and wrap the ends of the rag around your hand. Put the spring on the hinge, pull with the rag and pop it into place. I know it sounds kind of crazy, in fact, my bodyman was telling me just the other day that I was going to hurt myself. Before he could finish, I had to interrupt him to tell him the first spring was installed.

The only problem I have had with this method is sometimes the rag gets stuck between the spring and hinge. The board member that posted this method mentioned it was great for powdercoated or painted finished because the rag is soft and won't scratch the spring or hinge while you are putting them together.

[ChevyDude]

All jokes aside...spring must be pulled on in a CONTROLED manner! I will take the hinge off the truck and pull on both ends of the spring with a safe and controled pull.

[tavenner13]

i just think of my hood as a fresh-air cowl



ill be doing the same procedure pretty soon as im getting tired of walking around the truck and pushing down every time i close the hood

[sevt_chevelle]

If you use a chain you DO NOT need to remove the hinge from the truck.
You can not get a more controlled method then with the chain. No need to make this harder then it needs to be...Eric

[ChevyDude]

Originally Posted by sevt_chevelle

If you use a chain you DO NOT need to remove the hinge from the truck.
You can not get a more controlled method then with the chain. No need to make this harder then it needs to be...Eric

My hinges are shot...so they need to be removed from the truck!

[sevt_chevelle]

Remove the spring from the hinge still bolted on. Remove the hinge and install new hinge then install your old spring. Their is no better clamping method then the hinge still bolted on the truck.
Installing your hinges one at a time will help keep your hood alignment.
Am 6'2 about 160lbs can swap out hinges with this method without breaking a sweat and more importly not hurting myself.

[SacramentoJoe]

I just clamped a pair of vice grips onto the spring, climbed up into the bay and pulled it off before I removed the hinges. Put the springs back on the same way.

[neonlarry]

I don't know if you guys are making a big deal out of nothing or if my hinges are different but with them off the truck if I collapse them so the spring has the least amount of tension they will fall off in my hand and go back on with equal ease no big deal.

[MT1972cheyenne]

Neon, I had about the same experience. I just clamped the hinge in a vice & I could pull it hard enough to get the spring off & on again. It didn't take too much effort. I mean, I didn't feel like if I slipped, I was going to hurt myself. It was fairly easy.

[MT1972cheyenne]

Chevydude,
Let me know if the new hinges fixed it so that you don't have to push the back of the hood down after it is closed.
Thanks!

[falvarez12001]

Use the FAQ page. I did it with a floor jack. hook one end to the top of the floor jack and one to the bottom. Strech out the springs and put shims in it. I used wrenches between the springs. did both springs in about 5 minutes.

[falvarez12001]

Use the FAQ page. I did it with a floor jack. hook one end to the top of the floor jack and one to the bottom. Strech out the springs and put shims in it. I used wrenches between the springs. did both springs in about 5 minutes.

[Bob B.]

The easiest way I know is with the hinges off the truck, clamp the part that bolts to the fender in a vise, raise the hingle all the way up, hook the rear of the spring on to the rear hook, and use a set of brake spring pliers with a little bit of grease to hook the front of the spring onto the front hook. I guess I should mention I used a set of jumbo brake spring pliers for air brakes!