I am in the process of removing the driver's side quarter panel on a 1965 442. Been grinding out spot welds for what seems like forever. The end is in site but I can't access the spot welds holding the quarter to the panel between the rear window and the trunk. The panels fold under and are spot welded. The bracket for the spring is in the way. I have reluctantly concluded that the only way is to remove the spot welds holding that bracket on as well. That requires removing the springs for the deck lid. Not sure why the images are presenting so large but hopefully you can see them well enough. The second image shows the bracket on the driver's side. The yellow arrow indicates the rod being moved from the operational slot to the forward most slot. This was done on both sides. The red circle shows the spring rod resting in the slot right behind the wheel (blue circle) that rides in the hinge. Since this picture was taken I have managed to move the rod from the slot to the bottom of the vertical slot. The first image shows the vice grips on the rod as it attaches to the wheel.

I can use the vice grips to rotate the wheel down below the flanges on the hinge but that still puts so much tension on the system I cannot get it to move out of alignment. Have I been approaching this wrong? How does one remove this spring in a way that it can be installed again later?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Lamont



Vice grips on rod attached to wheel in hinge

Driver's side bracket

 

Figured it out. Got it off at least. No idea how I will get it back on but that is a problem for another day. Hope everyone has a great and safe holiday season. Get them out and drive them if you can!!

 

The factory service manual describes this type of tool for removing the trunk lid torsion bars.

 

Thanks! May need that if I ever get to reassemble this thing.