Re: Mitchell Overdrive
The 3\8" center bolt on a Model A rear spring was never designed to contain the energy packed into the spring when it is spread. I believe it was only meant to hold the spring pack together until it was safely installed into the contour of the frame and clamped into place.
When the rear axle assembly is removed from the car with the spring still attached it no longer has the safety protection of the frame contour and all the energy of the spring is now being contained by a 3\8" bolt that may be 85 years old and rusted and with the head of the bolt ready to pop off.
Should that happen the upper leaves will fly 20 feet in the air and take your head with it if it happens when you are leaning over it attempting to wrap chains around it or apply C-clamps, or when removing them.
The safe way to go about it is to use a proper spring spreader and remove the rear axle assembly from the car with the spring and the spreader left safely attached to the car.
A lot of people will tell you they have removed the rear axle assembly many times from a Model A Ford with the spring attached to it over the years and have never had a problem. I don't doubt they have.
Tom Endy
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