Superbird Headlight Bucket Spring Installation

[Repsol17]

Trying to re-install the headlight bucket spring.   Has anyone ever had to recoil the spring back around the shaft until it connects into the bracket ?  Seems impossible...lol.

There must of been a special tool.  Anyone have ideas   

Thanks
Darrell

[birdsandbees]

I've always left mine off so they stay closed ! yet still work just fine up and down!  This is the drivers side.. I presume the spring is supposed to be locked onto the longer bolt, mine never has been in the 30 years I've owned he car.

[DAY CLONA]

Take/un-bolt the spring retainer angle bracket off, install the spring on the shaft, wind the spring in a tightening rotation with the spring angle bracket hooked on the spring's tang/end by hand until the headlight/pivot frame is in the full up position, then bolt the angle bracket which you are holding in a wound tension/position to the proper bolt... this is all done AFTER the light bucket and Z bars are installed in the nose... this is the stage I'll assume the OP is at?

Mike

[Golden-Arm]

have someone hold the bucket in the open position, and use a drum brake spring installation tool. grab the hook on the spring, angle the end of thee brake tool over the post and lift ii up. the spring will slip off, and over the post.

[Birdflu]

I've always left mine off so they stay closed ! yet still work just fine up and down!  This is the drivers side.. I presume the spring is supposed to be locked onto the longer bolt, mine never has been in the 30 years I've owned he car.

I hear ya' Wayne! Got tired of our 'Bird winking at us in the garage! Springs and brackets removed until further notice!

[Repsol17]

have someone hold the bucket in the open position, and use a drum brake spring installation tool. grab the hook on the spring, angle the end of thee brake tool over the post and lift ii up. the spring will slip off, and over the post.

Would you be talking about one of those brake spring hooks ?

I'll give these methods a try before I leave off.  I know they're a fail-safe for the lights losing vacuum, but I don't drive it at night anyway.

[Aero426]

Concerning headlight springs, this is the best place for them.

[Repsol17]

Concerning headlight springs, this is the best place for them.

Well that very well might be where they're heading after tomorrow..lol   

[odcics2]

Here's the easy fix!   

[winghawg]

if you are interested in selling them ill take them

[Golden-Arm]

Would you be talking about one of those brake spring hooks ?

I'll give these methods a try before I leave off.  I know they're a fail-safe for the lights losing vacuum, but I don't drive it at night anyway.

no, this one. stick the black end over the stud, and put the spring over rod between the black cup, and the pivot. pull the tool away from the headlight pivot shaft, keeping the cup on the spring stud. you'll get to a point where the spring will slip down the tool, and onto the stud. rotate the tool, and pull it away, holding the spring down.

or use the hook you posted.