This a repost of an entry into the home made tools thread. I will try and add the images directly - the links have been broken in the great PhotoBucket debacle of '17. I needed to fit a stock 40 style spring to a 40 style axle, so I made up a simple spreader. I used 25mm square tubing with a 2mm wall thickness as the main body. I then used some threaded bar 20mm diameter to make the two pushers. I heated and flattened the ends of the bar to make a sort of blunt chisel blade type point, increasing the width due to the flattening. I left the screwed rod as long as I could to give the best overlap with the tube and therefore the greatest strength. It worked really well. I then made some clamps (from odds and ends) to enable me to spread a reversed eye 40 style front spring. I made a new centre piece of tubing, from the same material, and had to cut a couple of inches or so off the insides of the threaded bar. the overlap was still plenty. Again, it worked really well. Still with me? Now here's the thing.. I assumed this spreader could only work on the 35-up straight springs. I was wrong. I just used it to remove and refit the reversed eye 32 spring on my roadster. Because the spring was reversed eye, i used the clamping pieces previously used on the 40 front spring.. Using the clamps, with careful positioning of the clamping bolts allowed a straight shot across the back of the axle, and the spreader ends nestled snugly and safely in place. It occurred to me that even with a non reversed eye spring (stock type) using the clamps (normally not necessary) would allow the use of the simply made spreader bar. Ok? Obviously without pictures I'm lying, so here are a few from the refitting of the spring to my hybrid 35/32 axle (32 ends on 35 bell centres.) Basic tube centre, Showing threaded bar left as long as possible. Detail of the flattened ends. Showing the improvised clamps. bolts are 10mm 8.8 grade Showing the spreader nestled in the adapter clamps - note the long end of the bolts positioned to ensure the spreader end cannot slip out. Showing the straight shot achieved across the rearmost part of the axle. General view of the spreader doing it's thing. And another. This is in the spread state. You can see that the length of threaded bar sticking out is very short. As always there are the usual get outs - This works for me, you are welcome to use the ideas presented here at your own risk. Make sure the rig you make is strong enough. I can hear the "don't use all thread" people chiming in as I type. Well, if it is big enough, the part sticking out is minimised, the part inside the tubing is maximised and there is no bending moment (it's a "straight shot"), then it will work as I have shown. In summary I found the tool simple to make, from stuff I had around me, very useful for the intended applications (straight springs) and was pleasantly surprised that it would work equally as well on the curved rears too. Usage of the clamps normally required for reversed eye springs make it's use on curved springs possible. Cheers. Mart.
I made something similar years ago. Biggest difference I see is I used a tractor part for the threaded end with the big heim style joints cut in half forming a 'C' for the rolled end of the spring to ride on. I like the way you made the clamps to enable the spreading of a reversed eye spring safer.
I've been using superbell axels with reverse eyes for the past 13 years, and with all the cars I've built I've never used a spreader. Is this for home reversed springs, certain years,I guess what I'm asking is what am I missing. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
"I've always used 2 jacks with no problems...am i doing it wrong?" Not as far as I'm concerned - that's how I've always done them.
Whatever works for you is good. Any way that works is good. You're not missing anything. If you drop the axle out with the spring attached, the spreader is the better way to remove the spring. If you have a way that works for you, that's wonderful. I've been messing with these for years without a spreader and now I have one I am pleased at how useful it is. Mart.
Using the clamps on regular eyes will prevent slipping off as well. And keep a couple different length center tubes for your common length springs. Good stuff!
I have one I made from an old turnbuckle, works great on regular springs. I like yours since it can be used on reversed eyes. I could ad the upper bracket and make mine work. Thanks for the idea. all that aside, I'd rather see pics of the coupe!!!
^^ Yeah I'd like to see some pics of the coupe too (damn Photobucket!) Mart. Edit: Found a couple still available.. These are on photobucket - probably will disappear soon. Mart.
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