Mike Cooley trunk spring tool

[John2kx]

I read the tech article on truck spring repair and want to know where/if I can buy one of the Mike Cooley spring tension tools. Tried sending him email but it bounces.

Anyone know how to get hold of one of these little gems or Mike himself?

TIA

[CHA914]

Check the rennlist...I know he posts there quite often.

[HMeeder]

Depending on what it is you want to do, you may not need that tool. When my trunk hinge pop rivets failed (the later years were properly welded to the body) I searched old posts and latched onto someone's suggestion of slipping a deep socket over the end of the spring.

It worked well for me but when you read of Dave Darling's near death experience with those springs, take careful heed! One of those SOBs nearly broke my thumb. I gained a whole new respect for the damn thing and was 'gun shy' every time I had to deal with them.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Yeah, that was not one of my better moments. Brings to mind the old John Wayne quote I've seen in someone's .sig file: "Life is hard. It's even harder when you're stupid."

Picture this: I took off the rear deck lid to have more room to muck with things. I used a box-end wrench to pry down on the end of the torsion spring. To get it far enough down, I wound up lying down on the top of the car's rear deck. My chest was right over the area where the hinge comes up. (You can see what's coming next, can't you??) The wrench slipped, caught the hinge, which rocketed straight up into my sternum.

I was not a happy boy--all I could do was lie there and think about trying to breathe for a while...

--DD

[David McLaughlin]

Is there a down side to removing these things all together? I am installing 'glass lids in a few weeks and thought about removing the rear bars and front coils I figure a prop rod mounted in the stock jack location (which I'll never use BTW) would be lighter, hold the lids higher and have less maintenance.

Any thoughts?

On topic: when I replaced the rollers last summer, I used the socket method. A friend pushed down on the spring while I r&r'd the rollers.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Downside? Well, you have to remember to use the prop... Ummm... You have to find a location for the top and bottom of the prop rod... Ummm.... Gimme a minnit...

There's also the pneumatic strut alternative. Pelican sells a kit to install two pneumatic struts along the sides of the trunk.

--DD

[John2kx]

After reading the tech articles, I thought of using the box end wrench or socket to do this surgery but my situation is that both of my rollers are totally removed from car and the torsion springs are pressed all the way against the rear wall.

Didn't think I could get a wrench over these and haven't even tried after reading how much pressure is on the rods. I've got a good amount of room to work in since my engine lid, rear truck and engine/trans. is removed from car. Mikes tool just looked like the sure way of doing this safely by myself.

BTW, I tried the Rennlist and had no luck looking for Mikes email address........somewhat limited on access without being a member. If anyone knows it, I'd appreciate it if you could share it with me.

Thanks,

John

[JmuRiz]

John,
I'm in the same boat, my bar is all the way agains the rear trunk. I've tried the socket and a box end wrench technique but once I got it below the roller location I was stuck w/ a box end wrench hanging between the elbow of the torsion spring and the roller...whoops. I have yet to try another idea (using a belt) once I get at my car, perhaps this weekend I'll let you know if I can find something to work...but I have no good news at the moment. I'll post once I figure this thing out

Nathan

[John2kx]

Sounds like this problem is more widespread than I thought and the solution appears to be out there.........only thing missing is the correct tool. Maybe Pelican will produce the Cooley tool......sure looks like a needed item by more than just a few.

Was that a hint!!!! : )

[scotty914]

there is any easy way search under RETRO74 as the poster and engine lid springs

he found a way using a 2by4 to do it with no rist of injury

scott thacher


ps the reflector thing will be a few months instead of weeks all of the info was melted down with my computer when my house burned down last saturday sorry guys but the house is more important than the car but the car has 2 extengusher in it

[sammyg2]

I made my own tool, it took 5 minutes with a right angle grinder and a chink of metal I had lying around. As far as selling them, I see a huge liability issue. Even with a good tool there is risk involved if the user makes a small mistake. The potential for a lawsuit is there.
I have also removed the springs with a pair of vice grips believe it or not. I was helping Jeff (oredith) strip a parts car and I figured I would give it a shot. it took a heck of a lot of force and a few prayers, but it worked. I definately would not recommend that technique to anyone. The springs are tough and under a great deal of tension. Any slip could cause pain big time.