Cavalier 72 Bottle Door assembly

[TheGarbageHunter]

Got the time and energy to finish putting together my Cavalier 72. I ordered new spring for the bottle door, but not exactly sure how to go about changing them. Any ideas from you vets??

Thanks

[MCarter]

Must have strong fingers !!

[TheGarbageHunter]

Boy you got that right!!

The hinges for this machine are a bit weak. Not like the ones on the vendo 81, thicker and stronger. The cav hinge's  metal is soft and can easily be bentm, if you do not know what you are doing.

I speak from experiance. '>

[sodaworks]

Victor, I recieved your phone message but I didn't get home until around 11:00pm. I'm doing an antique booth this weekend in a Antique show so I will not be home during the day. Anyways using a small flat blade screwdriver and hammer drive the hinge pin out enough to clear the spring. Place the new spring in place and slide the pin into it about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way. This will allow you some room to put "two twists" of tention on the spring. When you have "two twists" on the spring hold it in place and slide the pin the remaining way into the spring and hinge. The technique I use is holding the spring and hinge with both hands and using the side of my vise (hard fixed object) to push the pin against. These springs can be tough to install and if you only put one twist on the spring it will not be enough tension to hold the bottle door closed. If you need more info. call me on my cel 661-203-6049 I will be starting on your V81 on Monday. '>

[MoonDawg]

In addition to what Terry has explained........... I learned a new trick last week.  Screw one of the hinge plates to the work bench or to a piece of heavy wood. This will free up one of your hands.   Once the spring has been fully loaded into position it will be held firmly in place by spreading that hinge to it's fully open position.   This lines everything up and makes it easy to hammer  the pin through.   '>

[TheGarbageHunter]

great tips.

Thanks guys

[sodaworks]

Glen, I never thought of that. Great tip!! Thanks