Mike Cooley has donated the procedure for manufacturing this handy little tool for reinstalling the trunk springs in your 914. Please be sure to wear safety goggles when removing or installing the springs, as they can be very dangerous. The procedure and dimensions for the fabrication of the tool are encapsulated in a graphic file that you can view by clicking here. The procedure for installing the springs into the car can be viewed by clicking here.
John Lampert adds: I just thought it worth mentioning (having taken a look at Mike Cooleys neatbut thinking intensivehome-made tool for reinstalling the rear trunk springs), that I made my own for the same purpose, and with much less thought, using something most home mechanics already have laying about. I found that my standard hydraulic floor jacks ratcheting lever, the shaft you slide into the ratcheting slot and turn to secure, worked well for the task. I simply used a grinder to remove a half circle of the shaft near the end, about half an inch from the end of it, just wide enough to accommodate the diameter of the springs tip end in the notch. With one side of the spring bolted down already, this allowed me to lever the other end down with one arm and keep it in place while I spun the two nuts on for the plate to hold it down for good. The trunk was off at the time, but everything else was present and nothing got in the way, though each unweighted hinge will naturally press forward against the edge of the side grill, and it is wise to place a towel or something over their edge to protect them. And in the end, my new tool went back to the service for which it was originally intended, with no ill effects. I hope this does not sound too slip-shod. It made me happy. --John Lambert/914 owner | 
