This weekend I built a spring tool/compressor/spreader... whatever you want to call it. Thought this might be useful to someone. This tool had to be different than the tool you buy off the shelf because I'm running my spring in front of the axle and it's a quick change so the pinion is down low. It would also work with the quick change if I was running the spring behind. So, here we go.... Materials: * 1-1/4" OD x 1/8" wall DOM tubing s**** (32" long) * standard 7/8" all-thread from local HW store (36" long, zinc planted in this case) * 1"x2"x1/8" wall rect. steel tubing s**** (12-inches long) * 2"x4"x3/16" wall rect. tubing s**** (3-inches long) * two (2) 7/8"-9 (course thread) nuts * two (2) standard 7/8" flat washers * any old bearing or axle grease * template paper or cardboard * welder capable of welding the thicker walled tubing and all thread * grinder with cut off wheel * marking tool or scribe * cut-off/chop saw if you have one * measuring device of some sort So here goes. Step one: Made a template to make sure I had the right "V" shape to clear the pinion (or quick change housing if running behind the axle). Used some thick construction/template paper that I had laying around. Used this to figure out about how long the 1-1/4" tubing needed to be cut to and what the angles needed to be at the bottom. I think the tubing length came out to about 16-inches or so then made the angle cuts. Welded the two pieces all the way around. Step two: Next I cut out the lower supports to make sure I didn't send pieces flying when I started puting pressure on the spring. I used a 12 ro 14 inch long 1"x2"x1/8" wall rectangular tubing I had laying around and cut the piece diagonally from corner to corner. Then cut the angles I needed to mate the two pieces up to the tubing. Then I welded everything together, skipping around being careful not to heat one area up too much at one time. Step three: Next I made the adjuster rods from the 7/8" course thread all-thread. Was able to cut a 36" long piece in half and the two 18" lengths were perfect length as they were. Here's a mock up of the general nut and washer adjuster Next I made the pieces that will hook on to the spring eyes. NOTE: This end design can only be used with a stock style spring eye. I will be making a modified version for a reversed eye spring very soon. I will update it here. I cut two sides off of the s**** 3" long 2"x4"x3/16" wall rect. tubing I had. Notched it the width of the spring and gave the notch about a 1-1/4" depth so it wouldn't slide off to one side while it was being compressed. Then cut a slot in the end of the all thread about 1 to 1-1/4 inch deep to accept the notched pieces. Note: The tabs shown have to be bent in one directon or the other about 45 degrees to allow for the bushings and shackles to slide by. At this point you're pretty much ready to go. Just smear a whole bunch of grease all over the threads and all bearing surfaces (washer, nut, end of tubing, etc.) and install the tool. In this case this spring had to be compressed until the eyes were about 46 inches apart. Went slow, stood BEHIND the spring (versus having the "V" of the tool point at me) and tightened the nuts equally on both sides until I reached the desired width. I had a buddy help me carefully install the spring in place on to the axle. Thanks Andrew!! So that's it... I hope you enjoyed this tech thread with ScooterMcRad. LOL! Good by boys and girls! DISCLAIMER and note!!!!!!! This worked for me. DO NOT use anything smaller than 7/8" all thread! We tried it with 3/4" all thread and it looked like things were going to go flying. 7/8" showed ZERO deflection in this case. Just be careful and make sure your welds are up to par. This could potentially be a life-ender if you don't pay attention to what your doing. I make no claims of being an expert at Model A spring tools. This is just what I did and it worked. If I lose my face one day because it breaks, I'll be sure and do an update. (knock on wood!!!!!)
Yeah.......how 'bout some pics Scooter? BTW, I'll trade that ****py quick change of yours for my Model A rear end, that I'm trying to give away.
Awesome! Was thinking myself how I was going to spread my front spring once I've had it narrowed. It will however have reversed eyes so I'll have to see when I get it back. If you haven't posted anything by that time I'll have to improvise.
I think I would be trying it without all the leaves in place and stack them after putting the main spring on the shackles. More work, but I would feel safer.
My plan for the ends for the reversed eyes is to make ends that will clamp to the spring and would hinge or something. Another HAMBer showed his in a previous thread. I'll see if I can find it, or maybe he'll see this and post it again.
The Jalopy Journal
