1951 Chrysler trunk-lid springs

[Curt McConnell]

Can anyone tell me a safe way to remove the trunk's lid-opening coil springs from a '51 Chrysler? (See photo for details.) These springs are so strong that the lid virtually lifts itself. Now, with the trunk lid removed, I can barely depress the hinges: plenty of potential energy remains stored in these springs. The shop manual is silent on the question of  removing them. I'm stripping a parts car so I want to remove every piece I can. Cheers, Curt

 

[keiser31]

I would search for a shop manual or look into one and see what the procedure is. If you cannot do that, try the following. Find the position with the least tension on the spring. Pull or hold onto the spring with a hook-type tool while removing the cotter pin from the mounting pin. Push the mounting pin out and release the hook from the spring. BE CAREFUL and wear safety glasses.

Edited May 6, 2020 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[Tim Wolfe]

Can you remove the top hinge bolt and then pull it forward to remove the spring while it is under some tension? The bottom hole is slotted to remove the bottom bolt. 

[c49er]

Try removing the rubber bumper for extra travel..

[Narve N]

Put some thick washers inbetween each curl in the spring while under stretch and make sure they don't fall out. That will relieve the tension when you fold the spring back (close the lid)