The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Replacing the Clock Spring in hood latch for 56 Chevy Truck

I am curious how difficult it is to replace a broken clock spring in the hood latch. I see they can be purchased along with a couple other small springs as a rebuilt kid for around $22. Much cheaper than replacing the entire latch. Any experience in doing this or words of wisdom appreciated. Thanks.

I had to fix one of these years ago...may have been a 1957 but I think it was the same latch design. The clock spring wasn't too bad. As I recall it resembled the thermostat spring or any similar type spring. There was a split shaft it fit into and then I recall having to use a pair of needle nosed pliers and a screwdriver to wrap it around and make it catch a hooked lever-like thing (and I know that won't make much sense but I don't have an image for you). Those other two springs were not too bad, either. They're on the other side of the latch and pretty self-explanatory when you get the thing out and look at it. The same spring kit has been around a while. The one I had was pretty loose-feeling overall. Didn't keep it from working but I recall thinking if I was serious about rebuilding it, I'd have tried to make the pivot points fit better. Good luck.

OK thanks!