CB77 Kick Start re-assembly

[dastehr]

Can anyone offer any help on an easy way to reassemble a CB77 kick starter arm assembly. I have rechromed the two pieces of the arm and have a new spring, washer and clip but compressing the spring to get the clip in is a challenge. There must be a special factory tool which I can make.

[Snakeoil]

I've not done it yet, but I would think that you could slice a section out of a short piece of pipe so you can compress the assembly in a vise using the modified piece of pipe and thru the sliced window in the pipe, install the clip.
regards,
Rob

[davomoto]

I've done them and they're tough! A second set of hands helps tremendously! Wrap the arm in a thick towel, and clamp it in a vise. Get a socket that just fits over the top of the arm, and catches the clip. Push down until clip seats.

[48lesco]

I had success getting one end of the clip into the groove and then working it around. Almost lost an eye. By far one of the toughest trivial assembly jobs on the CB.

[cknight]

Similar to davo, I'll position the arm vertically, then clamp in a small vise (protected by towels/rags). Place this on the bed of a drill press. Then, use the drill press spindle and a properly sized socket to push down on the clip and ring until seated. You can also make a fixture from some heavy wall steel tubing with an ID about .040" smaller than the OD of the ring. Cut tall notches out of the lower 3/4" of the tubing for access to the clip, and use this instead of the socket. This will provide you with a bit of room to manipulate the clip into position after compressing the spring and ring. Don't forget to seriously turn the radio up, so family and neighbors can't hear your comments. Regards, Chase

[Snakeoil]

And to the points made by those with experience, PUT ON A PAIR OF SAFETY GLASSES!!

Rob

[madtrout]

Any special technique for disassembling the kick start arm?