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Not sure are you asking how to do it, or about to reveal how you did it?
If the former then I can
a) agree it is a MF of a job
b) advise thicker gloves
c) describe how I have done it at least three times - not necessarily the best way though!
Mick
P.S. It is described in the Workshop manual but you need a special tool which looks like a flat bladed screwdriver with shoulders filed onto the blade leaving a central section that will fit inside the spring. I made one of these, and still couldn't get the fecking thing in.
'Creativity is the product of time wasted' Albert Einstein
1972 RHD 2.4E (ex Bob Watson racer - now in original Tangerine)
1966 LHD swb (Doctors car - now with Mrs. Ferrari in Madrid)
1966 TR4A (now sold and replaced by 1990 944 turbo)
1966 S2a Landrover
I found if you push the pin through the spring as far as it will go before trying to compress it, then it helps to stop the spring trying to bow and ping off across the garage (or into your face or nether regions). Personally I used a wide jaw pair of grips (the ones that open to 3" or so) across the length of the spring and onto the edge of the baseplate, instead of the screwdriver - but either way be prepared for lots of 'fun'.
Thickish gloves and safety specs (min) or full face visor (better) are vital here.
Mick
'Creativity is the product of time wasted' Albert Einstein
1972 RHD 2.4E (ex Bob Watson racer - now in original Tangerine)
1966 LHD swb (Doctors car - now with Mrs. Ferrari in Madrid)
1966 TR4A (now sold and replaced by 1990 944 turbo)
1966 S2a Landrover
It's a while since I did this on my 912, and remember struggling to fit it with different techniques.
Finally I simply compressed the spring in a vice to the right size and then tapped it across into the housing and fit the pin.
I seem to remember it being pretty straight forward in the end.
Andrew
1966 Porsche 912 Slate Grey, red interior - first owner owned for 41 years
1974 Porsche 911 2.7 (The Manhattan project) viewtopic.php?f=28&t=51455
1973 VW 914 1.7 Olympic Blue - ( gone to a good home )
Thanks a lot for suggestions Gentlemen!! I am sure I will have fun... But at least I know that in some way it's possible[SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND COLD SWEAT]