Seat spring installation / removal tools

[DougBray]

Hello everyone! My name is Doug Bray. I own a 1971 Porsche 911T. I took my seat hinges apart to get re-chromed and found reassembly of the hinge return spring was not easy. I engineered a tools to do this very easily. I want to share my knowledge with you. Here are the tools you need:

24" x 2 1/4" exhaust pipe extension that is available at almost any auto parts store.

(1) pair of rubber gloves - this helps you hold onto the pipe better.
(1) broom stick or wooden rod
(1) rubber mallet or brass mallet
(1) straight blade screwdriver

The exhaust extension has one end larger in diameter than the other. On the large end cut a notch in the pipe about 1 inch long and 1/4" wide.


You can slide the pipe over the spring and then turn the pipe to release the spring in the pipe. You may need to pry up the spring to clear the spring stop.


The spring will reside in the pipe and can be reassembled easily.



Spray WD40 on the spring to lubricate it. The spring compresses easier with lubricant.

Make sure all components that need assembled are installed before putting the spring on. Otherwise you will get to do this again like I did. I left out the gear post the first time.

If you have already removed the spring and just need to assemble then you can insert the spring lip in the slot and then tap the spring into the pipe with a mallet. This may take a few tries. Wear leather gloves to avoid cutting yourself.

Then you place the pipe with spring down into the hinge. Make sure the retainer slot in the hinge lines up with the springs inner steel bend.

Then insert the broom handle or wooden rod into the pipe and on top of the spring to keep the center of the spring in the hinge slot. Then turn the pipe the appropriate direction until the spring lip is past the spring stop. (I did this myself but a second person makes this easier)

The right hand and left hand hinges are reversed. You may need to bend the slot edge of the pipe slightly to compensate the direction change. I did both hinges going one direction and then re-bent the pipe lip to compensate for the other direction.


Once you have turned the pipe and the spring lip is past the spring stop then tap the spring lip with a screw driver until it slides down over the spring stop. Then while using the rod to keep the center of the spring firmly in its slot, rock the pipe back and forth gently until it comes off the spring. Use a mallet to tap the spring towards the hinge until it is firmly in place.

Please always wear safety glasses. I actually wore a motorcycle helmet during my first attempts to put the spring back before I created this tool. You don't want to catch a spring with your face. ouch!

[rusnak]

1971 T?

You know the deal, we need pics!!

[steely]

hey Doug and welcome - I recognize you from rennlist - you inspired me to do my intake 8 yrs ago. great info/post this time too of course!