Removing Hood Springs

Put the hinge in a vice and pop the end off with a pry bar. Yes, it will unwind violently as one would expect but it won't go anywhere. Then, grind the swedge with a cutoff wheel (takes a few seconds) and slide the spring off.

When you install the new spring, two quick zaps with a mig welder where the swedge was (one on each tang) will leave a little blob of metal that will keep the spring from sliding off. Don't weld the spring to the hinge.

The modified springs are low enough in tension that you can hook the end of the spring back on with a pair of channel lock pliers.

(This is what I did. I sent my original springs to Herb Beer for mods).