Expert: Jamie Yocono - 1/1/2008

Question
I have a leather lounge chair that, when it reclines, the leg rest comes up from under the seat.  The springs that keep the leg rest under the chair are broken so it stays part way out most of the time.  I have the replacement springs but I can't expand (stretch)them open enough to get them over the posts in the chair.  I've looked for a tool, at Sears, that would pull the spring apart enough to get it over the posts but they have nothing like that.  I've checked on-line for such a tool and found nothing.  Surely such a tool exists, how else can strong springs be expanded enough to be installed?  The spings I am working with are 1" x 3/8" and about 2mm in diameter or .2cm and so strong they can can barely be bent

Answer
Hi Michael,

I looked at a few websites where I buy specialty hardware, just to see if I could find a picture of the spring mechanism that you mentioned. No luck.

Then I started thinking about how I would expand a spring if I needed to. Without seeing it, I would probably try to pull it apart by rigging some sort of tool to do it. If you're familiar with snap ring pliers, then you'll know that there are tools out there designed for specialty applications, like the situation you've described.

I have two or three suggestions- first, you might want to so a search for a spreader clamp. These are clamps that work in the opposite direction of most clamps- they spread things, rather than pull them tight.  Here is a picture of one:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=31168&cat=1,43838,43844

You might be able to get this clamp to spread the spring, but you'll probably have to devise something to hook the ends of the springs into, on each end of the clamp.

My second suggestion is to go to a dedicated auto parts store that sells tools. A Snap-On dealer would be a good place to start. Auto mechanics have some of the most amazing tools out there, tools that are designed for very specific uses. I am fairly certain if you explain what you're looking for, they will have something you can adapt and use for your project.

I hope this helps, I think there is something out there that will do the trick. You just have to know where to look for it. Good luck,

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com