This spring has been driving me nuts. I spent three hours just getting this one spring on. One of four, so I have three more to go. I could only get this one on after calling my wife out to help. I have just been trying to muscle it into place. My hand is now so sore I can't hardly use it. I started out with just using needle nose pliers. Now, I am using needle nose vice grips. Is there some specialty tool that makes this easier? What in the he!! am I doing wrong? I am going nuts and I need my truck.

What is the secret with getting these things together?

 

Yes there is a tool that makes that very easy. It is like a screwdriver with a funny S-bend hook on the end. Stick the end through the coils, then lever the spring under the bent nail.

However,Years ago I made a simple tool to compress those springs. I simply cut a V-groove into the end of a flatblade screwdriver. The end of the spring will sit in the V and allow you to push the spring end down with the screwdriver. Then simply use needlenose pliers to guide the bent nail into place.

 

I beleive I got a whole brake tool kit at NAPA twenty years ago for about $20.

It came with the tool mentioned above as well as one for the retainer nuts and a spring expander that resembles a funny pair of pliers with a spooned out end for installing the longer springs and the bent hook end for the smaller ones.

 

Thanks for the tip. I just ground a notch in an old flat tip screwdriver and that did the trick. Boy do I feel silly for fighting with this so much before asking. My hand is still sore...lol