Topic: Installing (and Finding!) a NOS door spring

[drummingrocks]

Hi guys, the driver's side door hinge spring on my '66 coupe is broken and has been for several years.  I know you can buy the reproduction springs, but I'm not sure how or if the spring can be installed without removing the door or hinge.  I know there's a tool that can be used to install springs on GM hinges, but I seem to remember that it won't fit into the door hinge area on a Mustang. 

The car in question has been in the family since 1968, and the doors have never been off the car.  I'm not interested in taking the doors off, both for the possibility of chipping the paint and the hassle of trying to line everything back up.  Is there any way to install a replacement spring without removing the door?

Also, I seem to remember my father buying a Ford replacement spring back in the late 1990s for this car.  Were these springs ever available individually from Ford?  I'm not sure if I could find the part he bought this many years later, and I don't really care to install a reproduction spring as I've heard they're obviously a lighter gauge than the original.

[suskeenwiske]

I will check my extra parts bin. If I have an original spring, I'll gladly send it to you.

Ray

[67gta289]

On similar things I've compressed a spring and installed two thin "trip wires" to keep the spring compressed, just enough to put in place.  Then cut one trip wire, making sure it is in position, then cut the other.  Obviously the trip wires need to be strong enough not to break, but not so thick that they get in the way.  Also wear eye protection!

[CharlesTurner]

Yes, wiring the spring compressed is how I have done it in the past also.  There are some variances in the size of the springs, even the NOS ones may not be an exact match.

[drummingrocks]

Thanks for the information, guys.  Suskeenwiske, I'm definitely interested in a spring if you've got one.  As far as them being different sizes, that's fine, just as long as it's not as far off as the reproduction spring seems to be.