I did everything but the overhead doors inside. I'm going to modify it so it is more adjustable for length. My 92 year old dad made them both. I showed him the pic of Newell's tool and he went to his shop and built it. The next day he said he couldn't sleep because he figured another way to do it and brought me the longer one. He made jumper cables before they came out and has been driving since he was 8 in 1928. He invented another tool that I'm going to bring a copy of to everyone in Spearfish! You can check your brake lights by yourself.
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Steve,
Can you bring the compression tool to the rally? I'd like to see it in person. I've been thinking of making a tool for the engine door gas springs.
Steve Bare, very nice job on this tool
Thanks Genman. I hope you find it useful when needed.
I'm curious if I can modify a pipe clamp to do the job on the engine cover struts.
Chester,
I looked at that option and the answer is yes you can! The problem I had with a non modified pipe clamp is that the gas spring could/would slip out of the jaws. When you make yours, make it so the spring cannot slip out of the top or bottom jaw. It is an easy fabrication.
SAFETY TIP: The engine cover is very heavy without the help of the gas springs! I could not lift it up by myself. Be sure to prop it up SECURELY before you start disconnecting the gas springs.
we changed the gas struts on our engine bay door the hard way. with a pair of vice grips. it worked but it wasnt particularly easy or pretty.
tom
I used a 2" wide ratchet strap which allowed the ends of the spring the force into the webbing kind of making a pocket.but i was still nervous at having so much energy waiting to jump out and smack me in the jaw!!
Be very careful, as Steve says the door is very heavy and the springs are strong.
Gordon
Steve, thanks for the warning. I plan to modify the pipe clamp by partially drilling holes in each end to fit the ends of the gas springs. When done, I will post a picture and bring it to South Dakota.