[Terry Gartner]

How difficult is it to replace the hood springs? My 72 hood just about needs a stick to keep it open.

[GStage1]

Use a large screwdriver and you can easily slip them off the mounts....doesn't take much effort.....while you are working on the hinges....just for excessive play in the rivets.

[72pontiac]

I dont doubt it these 72 hoods are not small or light

[48pontiac]

I made spring removal tool took two pieces of 1" steel bolted together loosely in the middle and notched one end then put a turn buckle on the other it easy to use and safe

[hakansan]

Check this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay7vFc7xC6c

[67drake]

Originally Posted by hakansan

Check this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay7vFc7xC6c

Then you repaint the scratches on the fender.
Take it easy on that paint job!



Anyway I've seen it done with simply sticking pencils or wooden dowels between the spring coils while the spring is expanded. That way no need to build a tool (and probably less paint scratches).

[1969GTO]

on my 69 GTO.
put on the fender cover,blanket or something like it behind and tucked near the back of the hood.
a lenght of rope, like the size you would use for cloths line[dia.wise],wrap the spring with a bath towel.
loop the rope onto the hook part of the spring towards the front of the car,pull on the rope and guide the hook past the hinge,spring is off. Reverse to install spring.
It's easy and no paint scratches.

[Loffen]

Originally Posted by hakansan

Check this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay7vFc7xC6c

Uhh would not like to have my fingers near that spring when the tool slips...

I just use a J hook with a T handle and pull it of when the hood is open, never had any problems.

[48pontiac]

Hakansasn that is a much better tool than mine I will make one for my self

[Terry Gartner]

So, definately don't take the hinges off to replace the springs then?

[raidex1]

I bought and installed the correct hood hinges and springs from Ames Performance and I still need to use a stick to hold my hood up. Beware.

[SRR]

Old fan belt. Works every time, no paint damage.

[gtohurstjudge]

I agree......the fan belt method works best.....much easier to get
a good grip than a rope. Also, I've installed several pairs of repro hood
hinges and they held the hood up just fine, no stick required!

[Goat & Chicken Farmer]

Originally Posted by raidex1

I bought and installed the correct hood hinges and springs from Ames Performance and I still need to use a stick to hold my hood up. Beware.

I have the same problem with the Ames springs and hinges.

[Amigo-2k]

Originally Posted by Goat & Chicken Farmer

I have the same problem with the Ames springs and hinges.

3x for me... I recently installed new springs and hinges from Ames, and when I sit down in the drivers seat the hood comes crashing down. I'm going to stick my original springs back on the new hinges.

[pggto]

I just put new springs on my 70 GTO, I've had the springs for a long time, still in the GM packages. But I had a little different way to change them, it was pretty easy to do.

I just cut up some plastic strips .100 thick and inserted them in the spring gaps when the hinge was down (hood was off) and lifted the hinge and the spring almost fell off. To remove the plastic shims I just used a floor jack with a hole drilled in a piece of steel to expand the spring. Just reversed the process with the new spring, work pretty good.