Topic: how do you replace the trunk springs rods on a ta? please help!

[1979ta1978]

the trunk spring rod on my 79 snapped yesterday. I tried to get one off a donar car but there is ALOT of tension in it i just cannot figgure it out please help!

[RENOVATIONS]

Be VERY careful as the rods have a lot of stored energy in them.

I'd recommend laying some very heavy blankets across your back window and surrounding areas before attempting the removal/installation.

You can put a pipe over the exposed end of the rod to use a lever to lift it out of the slot.

Be aware also that there are 2 different sized rods and different rods used for cars with rear spoilers vs non-spoiler cars.

Again be careful with these as they can snap, twist, break.... damaging YOU or the car.
Wear safety glasses and heavy gloves.

[Rick]

X2 on what Jeff said.  Old trunk torque rods can and do break from stress, and when they do they can flip metal shrapnel everwhere.  It can be quite damaging.

[brian c]

Let me know how it goes as I have to do the very thing to the 80 firebird - it came without trunk springs. I have a set in storage, just haven't swapped them in yet.

[ta78w72]

I bought a tool similar to what's shown in the service manual from a guy on ebay.  It's basically a heavy duty pipe.  The guy did a really good job on it.  It's heavy duty and has diamond checking on it.  I think it was $20....but I'm a sucker for tools.  A deep well socket would work just as well I suppose.

[brian c]

Hmm good tip. I'll have to look at Spring Carlisle to see if something similar is available there.

[1979ta1978]

it went well I  just used a small jack handle and it worked just fine.

[4SPEED]

I put them on with a pair of vice grips. 

but also ware a full face motorcycle helmet       

[brian c]

You're really encouraging me to try this. Problem is...the rods I have are blue and the car is going to be white (at some point). Guess I just talked myself into trying this AFTER spring carlisle. I want to be able to talk to the vendors