Before I put out an eye, what is the best way to get the spring back in its place?

Jack

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If you can not run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!

You're spring is tight? Mine just popped right in and out. Is the lever fully released?

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[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 02-25-2007).]

Jack, Your talking about the spring on the caliper? With the cable running through it? Oddly enough I`m able to compress them with my hand after the cable is threw it, then I have to fight the cable with a pair of pliers to slip it in the notch. If we are talking about the same thing, all last nite I was suggestting BFH for everything from pip to well anything, maybe a BFPair of channel locks would be appropiate here...

Like the previous post says, I put the spring on the bottom seat and then bend it with a pair of channel locks to get it under the retaining tang on the top seat.

Thanks members, it is the emergency brake on the caliper. One of the problems I see is the original spring is 4 & 3/8 inchs long and I got some new ones fron the Fiero Store and they are 4 and 3/4 inchs long. I think I will go back to the original springs.

Jack

I wonder why the fs sold you those? Or you think it might just be the older ones are kinda compressed now. But that would be a heck of alot of compression..

My Fiero Store springs were a bit longer than the 20-year old originals. I used a tip learned here on the forum prior to purchasing a spring compressor, I compressed the spring on a vice while I was tightening a couple of zip ties looped through the coils. Once I had the spring back into place, I cut the zip ties.

quote Originally posted by jetman: My Fiero Store springs were a bit longer than the 20-year old originals. I used a tip learned here on the forum prior to purchasing a spring compressor, I compressed the spring on a vice while I was tightening a couple of zip ties looped through the coils. Once I had the spring back into place, I cut the zip ties.

I allmost have the cradle out of the 87GT and fooled with those springs early this morning, as to be able to leave the calipers hanging on the drop. This is a great idea jetman, most times as mentioned I can do them with my hands, but this is alot easier way...Thanks....

JazzMan came up with that idea in this thread but the link to the picture doesn't work anymore. So, I reposted it using PIP. Hope you don't mind, JazzMan!

i've had some that i could push in place with my fingers, and some i had to use screwdrivers to pry over the arm.

I've use all of the above. I usually try and use my fingers. If it's too tight I try a screw driver, If I still can't get it then I use a tie wrap. The spring doesn't store too much energy so it probably won't put your eye out, (safety glasses are always a good idea though).

The problem usually isn't putting in the springs, it's attaching the cable with the spring working against you. It's a whole lot easier attaching the cable using JazzMan's method.

quote Originally posted by spark1: JazzMan came up with that idea in this thread but the link to the picture doesn't work anymore. So, I reposted it using PIP. Hope you don't mind, JazzMan!

yes - this is the way to go.
get 3 zip ties, get them thru the coils, then stick the spring in a vise, and compress. then tighten the zip ties evenly. they may want to slip, and bunch on one side. once in place on caliper - cut the zip ties.

For those that may already have Rodney's door spring compressor, it also works great for the rear caliper e-brake springs. Put the compressor on, tighten it, cable comes right off the end, slip the spring off. Unloosen the compressor, put it on a new spring, tighten it, put it over the cable, attach the end, and unloosen the compressor. Took literally about five minutes. Real time saver!