Model A rear spring

[all-world1]

I'm using a model A rear spring that measures 40 1/2" eye to eye, relaxed. For my mockup, I don't have any weight on the frame, so I need to know approx. how much I will have to spread the spring so that I can tack the stock spring hangers (behind the axle) to the rear end.

Also, if anyone has plans for making a spring spreader out of a car jack, that would really help out.

Craig

 

[Ted Brown]

I will try with words to build a spring spreader easy and cheap... Using a bumper jack, at the bottom end of the jack weld a flat piece of steel say 1/4 inch thick and 1 1/2" wide with the jacking handle lying sideways on the ground, that flat end in line with the jack handle... Now for people that are using this for short springs, you will have to cut some off the top end of the post itself... take a length of pipe or tubing that just slips over the post, fits down to the part that is the jacking unit, use a pipe just long enough to cover the post with the end of that pipe flattened and welded welded and narrowed to 1 1/2" like the bottom end of the post.. This assembly will slip in between the spring eyes and using the jack handle jack apart the spring to the width you need to hook it to the shackles (one end already hooked up is best) after hooking up the shackles or shackle hanger, flip the lever on the jack and jack it back down to release it completely... when you need to do a wider/longer spring, if the tube is not long enough, make a longer tube to replace the short one... I will look for mine, and take pics if I can find it.. the way I do my spring now, I have no use for a spring spreader any longer... Be careful as those springs when spread, will and can kill, if you are in the wrong place and one slips off the spreader...

 

[GAB]

This is what I made to spread springs. Just a piece of 1" x .120 wall tube with a short piece of angle welded on one end and a piece of 3/4" all-thread rod about a foot long with another piece of angle welded on and a 3/4-10 nut. 3/4" schedule 40 pipe will work in place of the tube.

Works good on regular springs but not on reversed eye type.

Hope this helps.

 

[tenbears]

Hello, I am using a chrome plated Model A spring in the rear for my fifties style bucket. I used spring hangers from speedway. I welded the brackets at 46 1/2 inches (inside to inside) and I like the angle that the shackles hang at. I wish I could show a photo but it always tells me I have used my limit on photos. I need help to figure that out.
Mike

 

[all-world1]

Thanks guys for the great info. It's really cool to see the homebuilt tools for getting thru some of these problems...always appreciate the pics too when you can send 'em.

Craig