How do you get a kickstand spring back on?

[Twisted Wrister]

My spring snagged on something and popped off. The mounts are fine but this crazy spring is way too strong to put back on. I've tried hammering tiny screwdrivers into it to spread it out a little but it's a little dangerous.
Is there an easier way?

[renobruce]

I put the bike on the center stand, lower the kickstand, hook the top of the spring on, then clamp on the bottom with vise grips and pull on it. You might want to have someone there to steady the bike just to be safe.

[chiphead]

There is a tool that the auto guys use to mount drum brake shoe springs. It's just a curved handle with a hook at the end that lets you grab the end of the spring. Vice grips work almost as well. Watch your knuckles!!

[robertbarr]

Eye protection, needlenosed vice-grips (preferably new with nice sharp teeth) and (as suggested before) someone strong to steady the bike while you pull. It's really not that difficult.

[RotaryRodder]

i just grabbed it with some pliers and hooked it on the loop.

[sharpy]

spring

I take the stand off attatch the spring then put the stand back on stretching the spring at the same time still attatched. Easy

[Steve]

A trick that I have used before:

Bend the spring, slip in some coins or washers to spread it a bit. 4 or 5 dimes or pennies adds a fair amount of length to the spring. Slip it in place, then use pliers to remove the coins or washers.

This is especially helpful if the spring is already on and you wish to remove it without it flying across the room. Extend the kickstand, insert spacers, retract kickstand, slide the spring off.



.

[tkent02]

Excellent idea..

A trick that I have used before:

Bend the spring, slip in some coins or washers to spread it a bit. 4 or 5 dimes or pennies adds a fair amount of length to the spring. Slip it in place, then use pliers to remove the coins or washers.

This is especially helpful if the spring is already on and you wish to remove it without it flying across the room. Extend the kickstand, insert spacers, retract kickstand, slide the spring off.



.

Should work on brake springs too.

[Tom MLC]

I'd invite RenoBruce over, and let him do it!

[cberkeley]

I did the coin thing too. Works a peach :-D

[Twisted Wrister]

A trick that I have used before:

Bend the spring, slip in some coins or washers to spread it a bit. 4 or 5 dimes or pennies adds a fair amount of length to the spring. Slip it in place, then use pliers to remove the coins or washers.

This is especially helpful if the spring is already on and you wish to remove it without it flying across the room. Extend the kickstand, insert spacers, retract kickstand, slide the spring off.



.

This is brilliant and it worked perfectly. I hooked the spring to a metal banister and was able to bend it with pliers just enough to stuff the coins in.