How to replace springs in 901 shifter ?

[amallagh]

I've just spent the last hour or so trying to reassemble a 901 shifter gear stick after replacing the slider plate with a NOS one, cleaning and lubrication. I just couldn't figure out how to get the 2 long springs onto their pins and mounting them across the body of the shifter.
I just can't seem to compress them enough by hand. There must be a technique for doing this ? Any advice very welcome
Thankyou
Andrew

[redrobin911]

Hi Andy, I wasted a good afternoon doing exactly the same thing. I finally "got it" by putting the pin with circlip fitted in on one side pushed through the hole on one side by no more than 10-20mm, I then bent the spring 90 degrees so that i could catch the open end with a thin philips screwdriver from the opposite side. The screwdriver is at this stage at 45 degrees to the opposite hole. Then with a little force I straightened the spring safe that the pin and screw driver held the spring in place. Then it was a simple process of pushing the pin through while removing the screwdriver. Care must be taken as the spring is under huge tension and if not careful could spring out - you probably know this! Helps if you can hold the assembly in a vice while you struggle with it.

[amallagh]

Thankyou Robin, simple when you know how
Just did in 5 minutes. I've done it before but for some reason I was having a senior moment and couldn't remember how I did it.
Unfortunately I lost 2 of the little circlips in my previous efforts. My garage isn't so tidy that they are easy to find !
Many thanks
Andrew