Removing a tight spring guide or a tight top hat from TX200

[JP806]

Hello
I've been scratching my head and doing online research for ideas/method on how to remove tight spring guide or tight top hat from a spring. I know motorhead posted a solution but I just couldn't mentally picture the solution. Can someone help by posting a diagram or a picture of how you remove a tight spring guide or a tight top hat. Thank you.

[Motorhead]

Again ....

A LONG wood dowel or rod that loosely fits the springs I.D.    held in a vise at one end  Spring slides on said dowel / rod up against the spring guide.
 Next a short section of Larger pipe, PVC work well.  that is placed against the larger washer on back side of guide set ....

Smacking the large tube on guide washer pushes on spring & compresses the coils expanding spring slightly & pushes the coils of spring off the guide.

[Roadworthy]

It's been so long since Motorhead told me how to do this I'd almost forgotten how I did it myself, the modified Motorhead method.  You will need to remove the tophat before starting to allow the dowel to slip into the spring.  I did use the dowel which fits inside the spring - on my Diana 430 a half inch dowel was great.  You need enough excess dowel for the entire length of the spring and then some.  I used a thin bicycle wrench just larger than the dowel.  Place the dowel vertical in your vise, you'll be applying downward force.  Slip the spring over the dowel so the dowel is against the spring guide.  Slip the wrench into the spring with the dowel in the slot.  The sides of the wrench should be against the metal of the spring.  Whack wrench with hammer.  One whack won't do it.  The blows will cause the spring to compress very slightly.  This expands its diameter allowing the guide to slip.  A bit of Krytox or moly on the spring and guide can facilitate movement.  Going will be very slow at first but as more of the guide leaves the spring progress gets easier. 

[JP806]

Thanks Scott and Thomas

I finally got a visual of what to do to remove this pesky guide.

....umm any idea how to remove the tight top hat so I can thread the rod/dowel?

I've been using a big flat head screwdriver to pry the coils off....not good for the screwdriver or the top hat....

[Frank in Fairfield]

Thanks Scott and Thomas

I finally got a visual of what to do to remove this pesky guide.

....umm any idea how to remove the tight top hat so I can thread the rod/dowel?

I've been using a big flat head screwdriver to pry the coils off....not good for the screwdriver or the top hat....

I recognize the gun Jim....
Happy Thanksgiving..

[JP806]

Happy belated Thanksgiving Frank.
Yup
That's my gun...That's my belly.