C-160 auto brake pedal return spring

[c-series don 8,829]

Does anyone know how to put a new spring on without disassembling the motion control lever? There’s not much room in the hood stand to work. I tried needle nose pliers holding the spring to get it in the hole, got frustrated walked away and now I’m asking my friends on Red Square! 

[SPINJIM 1,981]

I had the same issue with a C-160.  After a lot of struggles, I went to Harbor Freight and bought a pair of fifteen inch long needle-nose pliers with a curved nose.  Even then, I had to partially disassemble the motion control linkage.  I had to disconnect the pivot on one side and move the linkage about an inch aside to get the pliers in with the new spring.  I hope you have a lot of patience.  Good luck,   Jim

Edited June 6, 2020 by SPINJIM

[daveoman1966 3,762]

Here is my solution....  Did this about 6 years ago and is the perfect fix...  Just drill a 1/8" hole in the soft steel rod and mount the return sping on the outside of the hoodstand.  This is my C-160 Auto... Easy peasy fix.

 

[ebinmaine 68,343]

7 hours ago, daveoman1966 said:

Here is my solution....  Did this about 6 years ago and is the perfect fix...  Just drill a 1/8" hole in the soft steel rod and mount the return sping on the outside of the hoodstand.  This is my C-160 Auto... Easy peasy fix.

 

Nice.

I put this post in my Charger Hydro thread to remind me to use the idea.

 

Thanks Dave!

[squonk 41,324]

Did the same thing. Why it wasn't done that way from the factory is mind boggling.

[Lee1977 6,777]

I made this to make handling springs easer.

[c-series don 8,829]

Thanks guys for all your responses! I’m going to go with Dave’s method and mount the spring on the outside. I actually thought about but didn’t see a good way to mount a spring. Now I do! And now it’s fixed!👍🏻

[squonk 41,324]

I used a hose clamp to attach the spring to the pedal arm on mine. Been there for 12 yrs. now. 

[ZXT 2,401]

The spring was missing on my C-160 as well and I had just put up with it until it was time to till with it. I cut down an old throttle return spring, pulled the plate that covers the motion control, and was able to hook it into both of the factory locations without disassembling the motion control at all. Took a few tries, but I got it. I don't recall using needle nose pliers but I might have. Took probably 15 minutes total.