How do I install the hood springs?
 

The previous owner of my car (84 300TD) removed the hood springs. No idea why, they were in a box in the trunk with various other parts. I've searched and searched, and nowhere could I find a lick of information on how to get the darn things back in there. Could someone post pics of the springs' attachment to the hood levers and to the car? Maybe give a few angles of each so it's obvious, I can't figure out how the stupid things go back on. Or why anyone would even remove them...

Anyone?

Sorry I saw this thread the other day and then got distracted.

You need to be strong!

Start swearing and use some gripping pliers

This thread has some good pictures to help you out

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/341139-hood-hinge-springs.html

Chapter 88-306 in the FSM has a few hints on the whole hinge removal (but has forgotten to mention the spring)

One way is to use a come along / ratchet strap attached to something strong like a beam or tree. Then snap the free end over the hinge.

Another way is to stretch the spring off the car then insert flat washers between the coils. You might even be able to get away with bending the spring to insert the washers. Install the spring, close the hood slightly, pull out washers one at a time.

Hmmm, I'm still a bit confused as to where it attaches on the body side. Maybe my spring mounts have been ripped off and that's why they aren't there? There are holes on the outside of the cavity that look like the spring used to be there, but the holes are kinda bent in a way that makes me think that wasn't correct.

I'll have to take a picture tomorrow when it's light to show what I'm looking at. I'm probably missing something glaringly obvious. Also the little catches to hold the hood up vertical, I think that's what they are, have been destroyed. One side is all bent up, the other side the top tab thingy is missing. So some idiot has been in there, nothing a welder can't fix :)

And yes, I know just how much it sucks installing hood springs. A friend and I did it on his car once, some ford product, I seem to recall. We used another vehicle to "tow" the spring out and loop it over the notch. Worked awesome!

I hate to say this but I just have to. Sell the car and get yourself a 126 car. All you have to do to install.swap.remove the hood springs on a 126 is open the hood to the full up position. You then can just unhook/remove/install/adjust the springs. No problem. I don't know but maybe the 124 and others may be the same.

PaulM

Go find me a w126 wagon in the US and we're in business :D

I like the w124, but i got a w123 because they're more simple and the om617 seemed to be a more reliable engine than the om603.
Except for the ignition binding up today in a parking lot and necessitating a hacksaw to get the steering unlocked so I could drive the stupid thing home, it's been a good car to me.

Another thought on the springs, run a string through the washers so they don't go flying when you want to remove them. I'm thinking of a triangular approach to loading them.

What are the washers? I don't think I have those, don't even know what I'm looking for....

Do the W123 hood springs not go to loose/no tension with the hood vertical? I thought they were all like that....

My update was to use flat washers ( used on nut and bolt hardware ) between the coils then run a string through them so you don't have a pile of washers flying everywhere when it comes time to remove them.

What you would do is bend the spring by hand, insert a washer leaving the hole exposed. Then bend the spring in the opposite direction and insert another washer. Keep doing this along the length of the spring until it is expanded enough to hook to the hinge. A triangular shaped pattern of washers would probably be more stable and keep the spring straight.

Insert a string through the holes, tie it off then close the hood slightly and the washers will now be free to escape.