52 Chevy Hood spring removal tool

Can someone please provide me with length of the tool used to remove the hood springs? I know that some make their own out of exhaust tubing and washers. How long is it?

Thanks for the help.....

I searched youtube and can see the process, just not how long the tool is.

 

Open the hood completely, measure from the second loop of the spring to second one from the other end. There you are.

later jim

 

Thanks river 1. Problem is that springs were off already. i can figure it out though.

 

used my tool this morning to pull my hood and springs. Do not measure from the hood fully open, the springs are at their longest length with the hood open about 13", after that the springs contract again. I can get you a picture and measuerment.

 

Thanks for clarifying boones it had been awhile since I removed my springs

To the OP if you hook the spring between the lift pad and front axle on your floor jack you can spread it to get the above tool on it

Later jim

 

Rivers, ya, to remove the spring, put on hook on the jack axle and the other end on the jack pad and jack it until it spreads and the spring comes out (I just dropped mine and the spring popped out... (they are worn and need replacement)

I built these along time ago after seeing a friends set. I actually wrote the hood open measurement inside the tool (stamped it) so I would remember since i only use it once a decade it seems.

 

Probably not what you're looking for Andy, but here's how I removed mine:

 

Thanks to all. Boones thank you for the pics. That helps alot.

 

Just a follow up. I made a tool using 1 " thick wall angle iron. I cut it 7.5 inches after looking Boones post. I welded 2" washers to the end. I used my floor jack to stretch the spring. I hooked 1 end to the bar that run across the bottom between each side, and the puck on top of the jack. Once the spring was spread, I inserted the tool and installed the springs.

They sell the tool for $40. Don't do it. You can make for about $5 if you didn't have s**** laying around.

 

That's some great info guy's !!! Gota to make on of those.

 

Get some small exhaust tubing split it down the middle, use two house clamps at each end stretch the spring, and tighten the clamps. Then install on on hood hinges and loosen clamps. Real Easy

 

Love the floor jack trick, I'll be using that. For removal, I've always stuck chunks of paint sticks in between the rungs until it's wide enough to slip on, then I open the hood a bit more to slack the spring enough to get the paint sticks back out. Might not work on every car, but hasn't failed me yet.

 

Sometimes I can grab one of the spring hooks in a vice with soft jaws, bend it in a tight curve one way, add washers to the spread open coils, bend it the other way, add washers to that side, repeat until the spring is long enough.

 

I used a ratchet strap the other day to install the springs on the HJ.

 

All great ideas....thanks to all who posted.

 

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/miscellaneous/images/springtool2.jpg
Check this out

 

I made some that Timmyp has referenced. They work great for removal and reinstalling. Made mine out of rebar.

 

I took my springs out by stretching and putting 16 penny nails in each coil. That keeps spring stretched so can take off ends. Put one end of in spring in vise secure other end some way so you can stretch spring out and put the spikes back in to keep spring stretched and hook back up. Lower hood little at a time to remove spikes. Worked great for me. Good luck

 

Hi guys. Just be careful with those hood springs. I was using the same tool on my 51 Chevy when it sliped of the spring and ran the hook though the top of my hand Know I know what a salmon feels when it gets hooked.

 

A snug hose clamp on each end, keeps this from happening