Releasing springs

[doc47]

What's a good method for releasing springs under strong tension. The centerstand on my machine has pretty strong springs. Usually I just clamp on with a pair of Vise-Grips and haul away but there's got to be a better way.

Suggestions?

[T__]

Doc, a simple way is to move the stand so the spring is at it’s LONGEST then stack pennies,, nickels,, or washers in between the coils.. When the stand is then put in the up position the spring stays in an extended length & pops off the pins real easy.. You need to stack the coins or washers on both sides of the spring to keep the spring from curling up like a banana but otherwise it works pretty darn good..

 

Twisty

 

[Selden]

You need to use pfennigs on a BMW spring.

[Ewell D.]

I found a spring puller in my toolbox left over from 2-stroke dirtbike days. It was used for removing the expansion chamber and is simply a heavy guage wire with a hook on one end and a loop on the other. It worked well when I removed my center stand springs. Hook the spring where it loops around the stud and pull it off, reverse for installing.

 

Next time I will try the pennies.

[doc47]

Pennies. Elegant in its simplicity! Who woulda thunk it?

[ahirsch]

I use a spring puller used for drum brakes on a car. You can pick these up at ANY auto parts store for very cheap.