Deck Flap Installation

[Suburban B]

I took the deck flap off of my 38C deck on a STX38 Riding Mower. I needed to have easy access to install a deck boot for a leaf and lawn vac.

Now I am struggling to put the deck flap back on with both pin and springload. The pin is easy, but can someone walk me through how to load the spring and then install the pin so it has spring tension. If I ever sell this rider, I would like to have the deck flap on properly.

 

[kennyd]

Isn't the hinge (part #13 in the picture below) bolted on? Removing the hinge should allow you to re-install the pin (#12) easily.

 

[davkir]

Maybe take a piece of stiff tubing or all-thread rod. Clamp it in a vise and put the spring around it and clamp the ends of the spring together with the proper preload.
Insert the piece of rod with the spring in the opening and push the rod out using the hinge pin.