Removing Baggage Bay Doors - MC-9

[RJ]

MC-8/9 owners -

A friend of mine (and former frequent bbs poster) is going to be parting out an MC-9 once the weather warms up some, probably the end of March.

This CA coach is actually very straight, without many nicks, dings or dents on the exterior skins.  There are substantial other issues, however, which is the reason for scrapping.

Has a blown 6V92TA that's probably only good as a boat anchor (bus was Landolled to his shop).  There's an Allison HT-754 lurking in front of the Detroit, which is in good condition.  Stock 3.73:1 rear axle.  Not sure, at the moment, if it's Sheppard or power assist, didn't get a chance to check yesterday.

Anyway, the main question at this point is this:

How do you SAFELY remove the baggage bay doors?  I know there's a spring-loaded assist mechanism, and neither one of us wants to get hurt by this monster as we take the doors off.  Suggestions appreciated!

TIA!!

[Busted Knuckle]

RJ I take a pair of vice grips and clamp the cable next to the roller while the door is raised (when the cable is tight), then I remove to cotter clip from the pin and lower the door when the cable gets slack pull the pin. Once you have the pin out then remove the vise grips and it will release the cable.
(been a long time since I did it, but that is what I remember doing!)
  BK 

[Kenny]

RJ, I sent you a PM - Kenny

[Nellie Wilson]

I used a come-along hooked to a truck. But I'm small and cowardly... call it an abundance of caution.

Nellie

[Tony LEE]

They aren't all that heavy. I lost the spring assist on mine and raised and lowered them by hand for weeks until I could get some new springs made. The normal up-position retention clips will just about hold them in the up position without any further securing, but for extra safety just use rope to make sure they stay in the clips.
Main risk is when the spring or cable breaks when you are actually raising or lowering them. Good bad-back situation then.