Hood Spring Removal and Install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**TR65** · 12-30-2009, 11:27 PM

I needed to take my hood hinges off for cleaning and painting. There are a number of interesting methods on the board about how to do it. Here is what I came up with.

I took a piece of 1-1/2" X 3/16" angle 9" long and welded two 1/8" thick clips on the ends. The ends of the angle are cut at 5 degree angles parallel each end so the clips will slip into the spring coils when the spring is extended.

I clamped a bar to the flange where the hood attaches so I could operate the hinge. Expand the spring by "closing" the hood, slip the angle into the spring. Then when you release the spring by "opening" the hood the spring doesn't compress and you can take it loose. Reverse the procedure to install the spring.

I used my enging hoist to extend the spring and remove the tool and to extend the spring to put the tool back in.

TR

64GMCHorsepower · 12-31-2009, 09:27 AM

Nice, good idea!

wutnxt · 07-04-2011, 10:46 PM

TR65..

Okay you win....thats a great way to do it...

Heater63 · 08-26-2018, 01:31 AM

Back to the top. Good info TR65, as I did this today.

another option, use a floor jack to stretch the spring. Attach to the front axle and to the jack arm pivot axle. Very safe.

Rather than weld up a jig, I used wooden paint sticks, $1, as spacers. Broken in half and doubled over, each stick made a 1/8" spacer. When all the coils were stuffed and spaced it was perfect length, the spring fit right on. Then you close the hood, and as the spring is stretched further, all the wooden spacers fall out.

With the spring stretched an spaced, you can handle it safely.
No tugging and pulling. No scratching paint with the spring point.

**The Rocknrod** · 08-26-2018, 07:08 AM

My painter used rags through one end and pulled. Rather than using the T-handle I brought in for his use. They sell it at LMC.

**TR65** · 08-26-2018, 09:55 PM

Heater63,

Excellent idea! Very safe.

TR

**Clyde65** · 08-26-2018, 09:59 PM

WhenI did mine, I just used one of those ratchet straps but this is a great idea

Heater63 · 08-27-2018, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR65

Heater63,

Excellent idea! Very safe.

TR

TR, Coming from an engineer, I take that as the ultimate compliment. Thanks for starting this string many years ago!

**PGSigns** · 08-27-2018, 08:56 PM

Here is what I do. With the hood off I pull the rear bolt out, loosen the front one just a bit and rotate the hinge down and the spring is no longer any pressure. Pull the hinge and spring off. To put em back on just reverse the process. Have done this several time works fine.
Jimmy

**aotte1** · 12-09-2019, 11:09 PM

Use a racket strap too. Loop some strap around the hook end toward front. Pull strap and hook spring end into slot. Make sure the spring end on the hinge stays in place correctly.
Works easy for us. Hope this helps.

Les

**nsb29** · 12-10-2019, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Here is what I do. With the hood off I pull the rear bolt out, loosen the front one just a bit and rotate the hinge down and the spring is no longer any pressure. Pull the hinge and spring off. To put em back on just reverse the process. Have done this several time works fine.
Jimmy

That’s what I did as well! So simple Nothing to it

**PGSigns** · 12-11-2019, 07:31 AM

It is quick and easy for sure. If you are worried about fresh paint just put masking tape down and once you have the two bolts started pull the tape.
Jimmy

**The Rocknrod** · 12-11-2019, 09:55 AM

I ended up buying the T-handle from LMC, it works.

nadodave · 08-23-2020, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the ratchet strap recommendation! I was about to start cutting up paint sticks - which also seemed like an elegant idea and not as risky as welding a bracket (I’m a lame welder). It took me all of 5 min to change both springs once I figured out where to anchor the strap. I had not looked forward to this exercise, but was tired of propping my hood with a broom stick!

Thanks again!

'65 chevy lover · 08-25-2020, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Here is what I do. With the hood off I pull the rear bolt out, loosen the front one just a bit and rotate the hinge down and the spring is no longer any pressure. Pull the hinge and spring off. To put em back on just reverse the process. Have done this several time works fine.
Jimmy

Yes, this is how I do it!

Lunnb · 08-25-2020, 09:39 PM

I just take a piece of 1/4” nylon rope , loop it thru the hook and then pull the spring into position with one hand .

Pitpig · 08-30-2020, 05:19 PM

I just wedge a piece of jack handle under the end or the spring and instability it like a brake spring

1G1YY · 11-28-2021, 10:31 PM

I just did this....real simple.
Rear bolt in loosish, tilt back, fit spring, then pulled hinge forward by hand, fitted front bolt....done.
I put a piece of cardboard between inner fender and hinge to protect paint.
I used old springs..

hairball · 11-29-2021, 09:51 AM

Maybe my original springs are weak but I used a piece of nylon rope with a handle at the end to easily pull them into place.
Hairball

**Chevy Fleetside** · 12-02-2021, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Here is what I do. With the hood off I pull the rear bolt out, loosen the front one just a bit and rotate the hinge down and the spring is no longer any pressure. Pull the hinge and spring off. To put em back on just reverse the process. Have done this several time works fine.
Jimmy

12-30-2009, 11:27 PM	#1
TR65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 873	Hood Spring Removal and Install I needed to take my hood hinges off for cleaning and painting. There are a number of interesting methods on the board about how to do it. Here is what I came up with. I took a piece of 1-1/2" X 3/16" angle 9" long and welded two 1/8" thick clips on the ends. The ends of the angle are cut at 5 degree angles parallel each end so the clips will slip into the spring coils when the spring is extended. I clamped a bar to the flange where the hood attaches so I could operate the hinge. Expand the spring by "closing" the hood, slip the angle into the spring. Then when you release the spring by "opening" the hood the spring doesn't compress and you can take it loose. Reverse the procedure to install the spring. I used my enging hoist to extend the spring and remove the tool and to extend the spring to put the tool back in. TR Attached Images __________________ 1965 C10 SWB Fleet Two owner LS2 Swap Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413880

12-31-2009, 09:27 AM	#2
64GMCHorsepower Justified! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Valencia, Ca Posts: 1,366	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install Nice, good idea! __________________ Chad 1964 GMC Fleetside Shortbed....350/700R4 tranny

07-04-2011, 10:46 PM	#3
wutnxt Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: vancouver b.c....is the biggest place most people would know but I am actually out in the valley 45 mins away Posts: 2,050	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install TR65.. Okay you win....thats a great way to do it... __________________ 1966 Pro street build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...?t=448089[ 1958 LS 2 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=527123 1966 SBFS low and go http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=5799909 1966 SBFS street HULK http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post5886625 Poject Low and go gets a 6.2 ltr LSA supercharged with 6 speed automatic Aluinum Radiator Dealer pm for details

08-26-2018, 01:31 AM	#4
Heater63 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: N Texas Posts: 580	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install Back to the top. Good info TR65, as I did this today. another option, use a floor jack to stretch the spring. Attach to the front axle and to the jack arm pivot axle. Very safe. Rather than weld up a jig, I used wooden paint sticks, $1, as spacers. Broken in half and doubled over, each stick made a 1/8" spacer. When all the coils were stuffed and spaced it was perfect length, the spring fit right on. Then you close the hood, and as the spring is stretched further, all the wooden spacers fall out. With the spring stretched an spaced, you can handle it safely. No tugging and pulling. No scratching paint with the spring point. Attached Images __________________ 292 + TKO500

08-26-2018, 07:08 AM	#5
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install My painter used rags through one end and pulled. Rather than using the T-handle I brought in for his use. They sell it at LMC. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

08-26-2018, 09:55 PM	#6
TR65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 873	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install Heater63, Excellent idea! Very safe. TR __________________ 1965 C10 SWB Fleet Two owner LS2 Swap Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413880

08-26-2018, 09:59 PM	#7
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,546	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install WhenI did mine, I just used one of those ratchet straps but this is a great idea __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

08-27-2018, 08:56 PM	#9
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install Here is what I do. With the hood off I pull the rear bolt out, loosen the front one just a bit and rotate the hinge down and the spring is no longer any pressure. Pull the hinge and spring off. To put em back on just reverse the process. Have done this several time works fine. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

12-09-2019, 11:09 PM	#10
aotte1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: lousiville Ky Posts: 2,645	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install Use a racket strap too. Loop some strap around the hook end toward front. Pull strap and hook spring end into slot. Make sure the spring end on the hinge stays in place correctly. Works easy for us. Hope this helps. Les

12-11-2019, 07:31 AM	#12
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install It is quick and easy for sure. If you are worried about fresh paint just put masking tape down and once you have the two bolts started pull the tape. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

12-11-2019, 09:55 AM	#13
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install I ended up buying the T-handle from LMC, it works. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

08-23-2020, 02:42 PM	#14
nadodave Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Coronado, CA Posts: 53	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install Thanks for the ratchet strap recommendation! I was about to start cutting up paint sticks - which also seemed like an elegant idea and not as risky as welding a bracket (I’m a lame welder). It took me all of 5 min to change both springs once I figured out where to anchor the strap. I had not looked forward to this exercise, but was tired of propping my hood with a broom stick! Thanks again!

08-25-2020, 09:39 PM	#16
Lunnb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: White House , TN Posts: 61	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install I just take a piece of 1/4” nylon rope , loop it thru the hook and then pull the spring into position with one hand .

08-30-2020, 05:19 PM	#17
Pitpig Registered User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Bonner Springs, KS Posts: 56	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install I just wedge a piece of jack handle under the end or the spring and instability it like a brake spring

11-28-2021, 10:31 PM	#18
1G1YY Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: South Australia Posts: 40	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install I just did this....real simple. Rear bolt in loosish, tilt back, fit spring, then pulled hinge forward by hand, fitted front bolt....done. I put a piece of cardboard between inner fender and hinge to protect paint. I used old springs.. Last edited by 1G1YY; 11-28-2021 at 11:18 PM. Reason: more info



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11-29-2021, 09:51 AM	#19
hairball Registered User Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Durango Colo. Posts: 75	Re: Hood Spring Removal and Install Maybe my original springs are weak but I used a piece of nylon rope with a handle at the end to easily pull them into place. Hairball

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