Changing Ultra springs in recoil assembly?

[Walver]

I had no problem with the large outside spring, but the smaller one is rough. I have tried to unscrew the rod that captures the spring from the flat tab that rides in front of the link. I was marring it with the pliers, so I quit for some better ideas. Any secrete techniques? I know you can buy the whole assembly for 45.00, but as much as I shoot that is crazy at 1200 round intervals. The spring set from Wolff is about 8.00 for both springs and the FP spring.
How do you get it loose?
Thanks, Walt

[pdoppenheim]

Kimber sells the springs and rod as an assembled unit. I don't think the springs are removable from the rod.

[Walver]

I know they sell it for 45.00, but the Wolff kit is 8.00, I have changed the large outside one and the rod unscrews from the base for the little one, but I can't get it loose with pliers, without marring it up. There has to be a way to get that little spring changed out without ruining the assembly.

[eagle eye]

Walver-
Hi-
Your inter spring is assembled and held by the head and is thread to the guild rod.
Normally, this spring should not have to tampered with only the outer spring recoil
spring. The threads are loctite sealed and hopefuly with #242 blue removable
sealent. A small amount of heat can soften the sealant so the base head can be
removed. I am not talking about a lot of heat here, 200F-350F.
Again, normally this inter spring doen't catch the blunt of the recoil as the outer
recoil spring.
Is this a Kimber Ultra 3" or a Springfield Ultra 3.5" ?
r

[Dave Berryhill]

I looked into this a while back. Both Kimber and Springfield Armory only recommend changing the inner spring about once a year. As Eagle Eye said, the outer spring is the one that needs to be changed regularly so buy those from Wolff. Check with Kimber. IIRC they only charge a small fee to change the spring and mail it back to you - well worth it due to the difficulty of changing that spring.

You might also consider buying a second recoil spring assembly so you can keep shooting your pistol while having the spring swapped. Plus it never hurts to have a spare part, especially if you shoot a lot.

[Walver]

Thanks gentlemen, both of you, great news. I have changed the outer spring already and that's good news.
Great idea on the spring mail back, but I don't understand who that is, are you saying Kimber will change the inner spring and mail it back?
Thanks again, Walt

[Dave Berryhill]

It may have been Springfield Armory (it was a while ago and I had checked with both SA and Kimber) but I'm pretty sure it was Kimber. You mail them your recoil assembly and for about the cost of a spring, they will install a new inner spring for you and ship it back.

Call Kimber and ask them about it.

[Walver]

O.K. I will, thank you Dave, I appreciate your help.
Walt

[Colt45guy]

I talked to Dennis about this when my Ultra CDP II was having problems...he told me that I'd need a jig of some type to do it properly....no idea what he's talking about, but the replacement of the assembly cleared up all the FTRB problems it was having.

[pdoppenheim]

All you need is a piece of wood with a narrow "V" cut into it. Clamp the wood in a vice and press the rod assy against the "V". As you press the rod itself will go into the "V". This will take pressure off the take down tool allowing you to remove it. It will also allow you to put pressure on the springs when you reassemble.

A proper jig will both hold and compress the springs, but that's a lot of money and the wood works just fine.

[Colt45guy]

thanks for the explaination! that makes sense....I've never monkeyed around with the 'lil guns before I got this one--all my pistols are Commander and Govt