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82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:48 am
by TX82FIAT
Folks, I see modifications and adjustments to the trunk spring. However, I have not seen an article that addresses spring repair or replacement.

Current 82 spider is in the last notch position for the trunk and the spring does not have enough tension to hold the trunk up. I'm am holding it up with my bald head or a bicycle pump that seems to always be within arms reach. Just looks bad when the car is shown to someone. I do have a luggage rack adding a little additional weight.

Has anyone found some great solution: turn the spring to obtain more tension, cut the spring -reshape and rehook, integratre some type of wire within the spring that can be tightened, add a miracle lotion that restores tension.

or is it time to find/buy new springs.

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 5:40 pm
by manoa matt
If you find you need new springs, I have two sets.

matt.scarton@gmail.com

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 5:47 pm
by adrians
I always assumed that twisting the spring and repositioning it would increase the tension.

Otherwise add some gas lifts

See this topic and photo

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... ilit=+boot

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 7:02 pm
by NSDave
I recently heated the long end of my springs (red hot) with a propane torch and bent them again. They're now about 3/4" "shorter" than before. Holds the lid up, without my lid (head) helping :lol: ! At the time I thought, this luggage rack must weigh a ton. The trunk lid seems like it should be light.

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 5:33 pm
by TX82FIAT
I'm going to try to heat and bend the springs. If that does not work I'll reach out for some springs. Thanks for the feedback and I give it a try this weekend. :D

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 12:06 am
by narfire
I had the same problem, complete with the head issue :D
I went to the local Lordco here and bought a couple of smaller springs and fed one inside the stock spring and that gave enough pulling power to keep the trunk with the luggage rack up. Don't notice the extra spring unless you know they are there.

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 10:25 am
by SpiderJim
narfire wrote:I had the same problem, complete with the head issue :D
I went to the local Lordco here and bought a couple of smaller springs and fed one inside the stock spring and that gave enough pulling power to keep the trunk with the luggage rack up. Don't notice the extra spring unless you know they are there.
Now that is a man with an excellent solution. Do you remember the part number by chance?.

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 9:48 pm
by narfire
SpiderJim wrote:Do you remember the part number by chance?.
Nope, there were a number to choose from on a board hanging in the corner.

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 11:54 pm
by narfire
Image

The spring on both side seems to provide just enough to keep the trunk up with a rack. I used straps to connect the spring as I got tired of fiddling with the thing to fit with the existing spring.

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 11:49 pm
by htchevyii
Good thinking, I've been using a metal rod, but i think I'll give your idea a try. Thanks for sharing!

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 7:52 am
by MNspiderman
sheesh. ya learn something everyday. I didn't know spider 2000's had trunk springs. I thought they all were held open with that tiny little rod that likes to slap the inside of your trunk lid. Can I incorporate those springs into my 77 ? :idea:

Re: 82 Spider trunk spring replacement?

Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 10:39 pm
by TX82FIAT
I'm going to try the spring inside the spring solution to slightly increase the tension. I think this will be the best solution as the heating of the spings and re-attachment of them seams problematic and a two man job to re-attach. It looks like these springs can be pulled and attached with the right size.