My 77 is in need of a new door hinge spring.  I have the new spring and a curved screwdriver to install it with.  I tried putting it in and I am having some problems.  the flat end goes at the top which goes in alright.  The problem I am having is getting the spring between the two round pieces on the hinge (they almost look like little rollers).  I was able to get it in the right position between the two round pieces but when I went to shut the door it snapped out of place.  Does anyone know if those round pieces on the hinge are supposed to move or roll when the door is being shut.  The car has been repainted and I didnt know if the paint is making the stick.  Thanks for all the help!

P.S. I took a little chip out of the paint on the door when the spring let go on me!!!!!   P....sss me off!!!!

As you fit the new spring in and apply tension with the bent screwdriver you have to tap the spring on the top to locate it into its associated hole in the hinge.  The little roller is supposed to run over the spring and give you two positions where the door will stay put. Half open and fully open.  If you haven't got the spring into its locating hole properly, the first time the door shuts the spring will let go and it sound like that's what has happened.  My new springs came with directions.

Fowler,  I did this same repair this past Sunday and posted a thread about it the same day.  I also marred my paint during the operation... I highly recommend masking the outside surface of the door during this operation, but you have already figured that out now.  The link below will take you to an old thread which details the spring installation.  You have to REALLY flex the spring in order to get the upturned tail of the spring to fit into the hole in the bottom of the hinge while you tap it, kinda hard, on the bottom to drive the entire spring upward.  You will have the bend of the installation tool against the front inside fo the door and be flexing the spring inward toward the inside of the car (away from the rollers)

http://www.c3vr.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69190&KW=

Thank you guys.... I'll give it another shot and certainly mask this time!!!!!

Sorry about my  misdirection.  I know I had to tap mine in one direction or the other, but you definitely gotta hit em.

I just installed the hinge spring and it went much easier this time with all of your help and I made sure to mask the door very well!!!!