Convertible top spring

[4RD289mT]

I have a '47 Mercury and one of my springs broke that is for the top. I have not had any luck finding a place to buy a replacement. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

[paul2748]

Try Hydro-E-Lectric in Florida. I got springs from them a long time ago for my 48 Ford conv.

[4RD289mT]

Yes I got a new hydraulic pump and hoses from them but they no longer carry any springs. I did find another solution though. I found 2 springs on Amazon that when put together pretty much replicate the size and tension. The cloth covering mostly disguises it. Here is what I bought. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RFGKQS...roduct_details

[blucar]

I have a '39 Plym convertible coup that has single springs on both sides of the top. The '39 Plym's were the first factory open car to have a power top, it is vacuum operated.
During the course of restoring my Plym I found that the top assembly was very similar to the Fords, which made sense because both Ford and Chrysler built convertibles of the 1930's were built utilizing Briggs bodies.
Rebuilding the top assembly for my car was quite a challenge, had to have a lot of the parts made, the return springs were just one of the items.
Turned out there is a company here in Ventura that makes coil springs for all types of applications. I had to have twelve sets made, that being the minimum number their production system could make.
Post a pix of your spring, with the size, I'll compare to what I have. If my springs won't work on your car, send me your broken spring, I'll get a quote to reproduce it. of course they will have a minimum of springs, there are a lot of 46-48 Ford Conv's out there that could use new springs.
Pix attached of new 39 Plym top springs.

[jimTN]

Have you tried the top without springs? I have seen some 46-8 conv's that worked without the springs.

[blucar]

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From my experience, the convertible top spring work like the springs on a garage door, they assist with the lifting of the top because the springs are under tension when the door/top is raised.
My last project for my '39 convt is to convert the top to electric in lieu of vacuum. There is a company in Los Angeles, CA that does that.
I have a friend that has a 39 Plym convt that does not have the springs on the arms. he very seldom puts the top down because it is very hard to get the top up. Of course his vacuum cylinders are warm out and his late model V8 does not make much vacuum..