Rear spring spreader for 41

30aadoodlebug

30aadoodlebug

Senior Member
Hi All,

I have a dumb question. I need to drop the rear end in my 41 woodie. All I have and can find is a spreader for model A's. My guess is it's much too short for this application. Has anyone made longer arms for these and had success? I'm curious as to the max length to take the load off the spring so I can fab some. I've been unable to find any spreaders online that are big enough for flathead ford's.

Thanks,

Jon
 
If you do a search for SPRING SPREADER lots of good ideas appear.
Measure the distance between your rear spring eyes. Then you can make your own spreader. I think this home made spreader is about 38-39 in. so it will fit between the spring eyes. Then you can "turn it outward" to spread the spring. You only need to spread the spring eyes outward a small amount to release the tension. Can also be used on front spring. This is a 40 Ford with stock rear spring.
Porta Power is and easiest way to go if you have one.
 

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We made a spreader by simply sliding a threaded rod inside a pipe tapered both ends and adjusted with a nut. Works great
 
KiWinUS said:
I use my Porta power.
Click to expand...


The porta is good idea as long as a spring doesn't have reversed eyes. Harbor Freight has porta powers.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=hydraulic porta power

I don't know how good they are. I have a Blackhawk from the 1950s that is still going strong and another cheap version I bought at an estate sale for $30.00. If you pull the spring with the rearend you can c-clamp the spring, remove the center bolt and leafs, then you will be able to stretch the main leaf by hand to remove it from the shackle. I use a piece of all thread and a couple nuts to compress the spring again. Clamp it and install the center bolt. There is a little bit of tension on leaf springs but not like there is on a coil spring. You don't need to be afraid of it.
 
I have one too but it was dangerous. If you do it that way, wrap chains aroung the spring and the bar.

Glenn
 
The A one might work. Just offer it up and try it. Do it with the car on the ground.

Mart.
 
On our '41 fordor, I always placed a floor jack under the shackle and lifted until the shackle could be removed then lowered that end of the spring and went to other side. reversed operation to install. did it that way dozens of times front and back.
 
Model A rear spring is pretty much the same width as all rear transverse Ford springs.

Can't see why a spreader for a rear A spring would not be wide enough.
 
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