It's called a 'Motorcycle Exhaust Spring Hook'!

[chipveres]

Sometimes the hard part of buying a tool is knowing what to call it. The tool to remove/replace the *fine* springs at the front of the catalytic converter is a 'Motorcycle Exhaust Spring Hook' - Available at Amazon and lots of other places.

I strongly suggest you have all three wheels on the ground before yanking on it. Otherwise, you may pull the cycle clear off the jack and hurt yourself!

 

[Gwolf]

Why buy a tool? Just make a loop of wire and pull the springs in place with it. Doesn't take much if you have the loop the right size so you can pull on it without getting your hands all up into the things in the way.

 

[chipveres]

Clearly your hands are stronger than mine, Mr. Wolf. I did manage to get two of three springs in place with gloved hands and a pair of Vice Grips. For that third spring I need all the help I can get.

It is indeed possible that I could loop a piece of steel wire around a frame member and make a "Spanish windlass" to stretch the spring. I will try that if, God forbid, the spring hook fails.

 

[Isopedella]

Or secure the spring in a vice, or door if you have to.

Bend it back so it spreads and insert a quarter between the coils.
Repeat bending the other way and insert another quarter.
Keep going until the spring is long enough.
Fit to the hangers.
Pull the quarters out with some pliers.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I got my Motorcycle Exhaust Spring Hook free when I purchased my cat delete.

 

[Bunson]

Or secure the spring in a vice, or door if you have to.

Bend it back so it spreads and insert a quarter between the coils.
Repeat bending the other way and insert another quarter.
Keep going until the spring is long enough.
Fit to the hangers.
Pull the quarters out with some pliers.

Cool idea!

 

[chipveres]

Or secure the spring in a vice, or door if you have to.

Bend it back so it spreads and insert a quarter between the coils.
Repeat bending the other way and insert another quarter.
Keep going until the spring is long enough.
Fit to the hangers.
Pull the quarters out with some pliers.

I tried this with washers, but it's so tight in there that the washers got in the way.

 

[pidjones]

A loop of strong wire pulling it into place using a rachet strap?

 

[RangerRick]

I got my Motorcycle Exhaust Spring Hook free when I purchased my cat delete.

I got two hook tools free also with my Cat delete pipe from RLS Exhaust

 

[Cobwebs]

I was able to wedge a long screwdriver between the spring and found a leverage point to stretch the sucker out with. Went on easily then.

 

[Gwolf]

Put the hardest to reach ones on first and save the easy one for last.

 

[spyderdave]

I've struggled with those dang things on more than one occaision..., and usually wind up scraped and sore. The top one is nearly impossible!

I'd be willing to bet money the "lead" pipe from the manifold is attached to the cat (with those miserable springs) before the whole thing is installed on the assembly line.

 

[Flamewinger]

This is the tool to use as its the longest so two can work it or you get good leverage with it..

https://www.lamonstergarage.com/spring-tool-exaust-brake/

 

[Mikey]

x2 on the spring tool!!! Best money spent.

 

[chipveres]

Why buy a tool? Just make a loop of wire and pull the springs in place with it. Doesn't take much if you have the loop the right size so you can pull on it without getting your hands all up into the things in the way.

I thought about this as I continued to work. If there is a specialty tool made for the purpose, I can't afford *not* to have it. My local motorcycle dealer charges $145 USD per hour for labor. That does not get me the master mechanic. The master mechanic is only called in AFTER the grease monkey has broken the cycle worse than it already was. Against that background the most expensive tools I know how to use are a dead bargain. And in 59 minutes my solid-gold hour is over. But I still have the tools for the next time a problem comes up.

 

[chipveres]

I've struggled with those dang things on more than one occaision..., and usually wind up scraped and sore. The top one is nearly impossible!

I'd be willing to bet money the "lead" pipe from the manifold is attached to the cat (with those miserable springs) before the whole thing is installed on the assembly line.

Your idea turned out to be the solution to the problem. I lowered the whole assembly by pivoting on the rear cat mounts. Then put on the top spring, then put the whole thing back.

 

[fredgal]

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Motorcycle+Exhaust+Spring+Hook&ref=nav_bb_sb