Installing the hood spring

[gugel]

Does anyone know of a (body) shop in the LA area -- preferably the South Bay -- capable of installing a new hood spring?

My son and I put in the old spring (which I din't realize was bent) ourselves after the car was painted, but even with lots of masking tape around the edges of the hood and fenders, it's nerve-racking to do it without damaging the paint. I'd really rather not do it again.

Chris Earnest

[TheEngineer]

There's a trick to it: Bend yourself a "S" shaped hook from 3/16 rod. Prop the hood up with a stick. Put the hook into the hole in the hood just above the spring. Hook the spring into it. Remove the hood: Put cardboard between the hood and the fenders. That prevents scratches and on installation centers the hood. One person can do it alone. With the hood laying on a soft blanket upside down, take the spring out of the hook. It is now relaxed. Remove the plastic pieces and the spring will come out. However: If the old spring is just bent out-of-shape, you can bend it by hand. It should have about one inch clearance from the hood. Check it both ways: Relaxed & hooked. Be careful not to strip the screws: They may be rusted. Put grease on all screws before installing!

1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops.    Ret. engr. 1967 230SL - Sold

[gugel]

Thanks for the advice.  But we did it essentially that way before, with an S-shaped hook and using masking tape on the fenders and hood instead of cardboard.  As for removing/installing the spring in the hood once it's off, you wrote "Remove the plastic pieces and the spring will come out".  I certainly didn't find it that easy, especially on installation.  The spring has to be snaked into position, partly under tension, with lots of opportunities to scratch the paint.  Even Gernold mentioned to me that he found the job nerve racking.  Of course, I may end up having to do the job myself again, if I can't find anyone.  BTW, I don't suppose you live in Southern California?

Chris

[TheEngineer]

No, I don't live in California. I don't like the seasons: Fire, Floods, Earthquakes and Drought. I live in Seattle - WEST Seattle - where all the people are beautiful because our skins are always wet from the rain. But if Mt. Helens blows, a part of Washington may come to California. It's one of those jobs: Once you know how to do it, it's easy

1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops.    Ret. engr. 1967 230SL - Sold

[Mike Hughes]

I heard on the news this morning that there have been several "seismic events," many spaced 4 minutes apart and measuring 2.0-2.5 in the last few days on Mt. St. Helens, leading to the suggestion that there could be another eruption in the near future.  You folks in California had better start watching the skies!

quote:Originally posted by theengineer

No, I don't live in California. I don't like the seasons: Fire, Floods, Earthquakes and Drought. I live in Seattle - WEST Seattle - where all the people are beautiful because our skins are always wet from the rain. But if Mt. Helens blows, a part of Washington may come to California. It's one of those jobs: Once you know how to do it, it's easy

1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops.    Ret. engr. 1967 230SL - Sold

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
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