Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Tim H · Mega Poster

Need to change my hood springs

4-door Chevelle · Super Poster

and nobody seems to have a tool for that? I have the springs off my old Chevelle but so far I have not figured out how to open them up to get it off the hinge. I am sure somebody here has done this and has a trick or tool???

Tim H · Mega Poster

There are guys on Team Chevelle that use a floor jack that seems to work well.

4-door Chevelle · Super Poster

These are still on the car so unless it is a bottle jack I am not so sure about that.

John D · 2K+ Club

I've heard of a trick where when the hood is partially up (springs extended) you stick a bunch of shims (like busted off sections of paint stir sticks) into the gaps. Then carefully raise the hood all the way up. The shims won't allow the spring to compress and they'll just about fall off.

4-door Chevelle · Super Poster

Thats a great trick John so I will have to try that. Now I have to get the springs off the hinges the are in the back shed, that will be another story. If it weren't for the fun of alignment and a busted off nut in the hood I would just swap out the whole assembly. I am really surprised nobody has run in to this...

John D · 2K+ Club

You could clamp the hinge in a vise, and use a lever tire-iron or bigazz screwdriver to pry the hinge down... have a stack of shims ready.

SShink · 3K+ Club

4-door Chevelle wrote:
If it weren't for the fun of alignment and a busted off nut in the hood I would just swap out the whole assembly. I am really surprised nobody has run in to this...

I'm sure this has happened to others, but I usually don't torque hood bolts down beyond when they bottom out. Never had an issue so far...

Did you search TC to get ideas on the hood spring removal? I would guess there's somethng there.

Lost in the 60s · President

I use a vise grip. Open the hinge so the spring is at it's shortest and clamp on the spring hook. It's a bit of a tug, but they will extend enough to get off. Bad thing is the teeth marks in the spring. Not the best for restoration work.

I've been intending to make an extender from threaded rod that goes inside the spring with 2 plates and nuts to force the spring open internally but never seem to get a round tuit.

4-door Chevelle · Super Poster

Per Team Chevelle, way too easy.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249647&highlight=hood+hinge

Lost in the 60s · President

4-door Chevelle wrote:
Per Team Chevelle, way too easy.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249647&highlight=hood+hinge

SShink · 3K+ Club

4-door Chevelle wrote:
Per Team Chevelle, way too easy.

That's the first source I always go to for research. TC has saved me a ton of time and effort many times.