Spring Spreader Source

[Daryl Middlebrook]

I would like to purchase a rear spring spreader that will work on both my 34 and my 36 Ford.

Is this "multi-tool" tool available? Or would I need to purchase two spreaders, one for each year?

Who makes the best spreader(s)?

Thanks for your help.

[tubman]

I made my own from a piece of pipe, some 3/4" all-thread, and a couple of chunks of angle iron. I had the pipe and angle lying around, so all I had to buy was the all-thread, a couple of nuts, and some washers. It's a pretty cheap way to go if you have a welder.

[blucar]

During the early '50's I worked at a Ford Dealership, the spring spreader they had was very simple and easy to use. Many years later I had a need for a good reliable spreader that would work on any of the early V8 springs. I reached back into the dark areas of my brain coming up with the design that is shown in the attached photo.
Many of the spreaders have a 'spade' end which engages under the spring eye roll to the main leaf. I made the end of my spreader so it encircles the spring eye and therefore can't slip off. As you will note from the pix, the ends of spreader are 3/8" x 2x2 welded to the 3/4" all tread.
It does not take much pressure to spread the spring once the car is jacked up, releasing the body weight from the axles.
There are people within the V8 world that want to over engineer a spreader, incorporating safety chains and clamps, all of which are unnecessary.

[tubman]

"blucar"'s looks a lot like mine; just a little more "elegant". Now I won't have to post pics.

I also agree with "blucar" about safety chains and clamps; they are only for the people who have to be warned that "Viagra" won't protect you from STD's.

[Daryl Middlebrook]

Neat stories. But-------Can someone please answer the original questions?

[Scott H in Wheaton]

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I use a porta-power from Harbor Freight to spread my 36 springs. Would probably also work on a 34?

[JSeery]

If you are just looking for a source, MAC sells them. The spring over the axle requires the U shaped section in the center to clear the banjo unit but should work just fine for a spring behind the axle installation as well.

[blucar]

I don't think anybody has made spring spreaders for the Early Fords in the last forty years..
The design of my spreader will fit any front/rear 32-48 Ford spring that does not have reversed spring eyes.
A spreader like mine can be made in about an hour with normal hand tools and a medium duty welder.
The 3/4" all thread and adjusting nuts (4) has to be heavy duty steel, not junk from across the pond.

[JSeery]

These are both listed for Model A rear spring. Seems like it should work on about any year, BUT I don't know that for a fact!

[Krylon32]

My old spring spreader is from my great uncles Ford dealership in the 30's. It a piece of heavy tube with the end smashed flat to fit in the spring and a piece of 1 inch ready rod that slips into the tube with it's end ground into a v. It's all controlled by a huge nut that is the adjuster. Heavy duty but works.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Daryl Middlebrook

Neat stories. But-------Can someone please answer the original questions?

Daryl......Very frustrating, isn't it, because in your FIRST post, you very-clearly and specifically asked about a spring spreader for REAR springs in your two cars, which have very different characteristics. The '36 has regular, STRAIGHT spring eyes. The '34 has spring eyes which are angled with each other because of the CURVED rear spring. I too am leery of a regular spring spreader slipping out of the ANGLED grooves formed by the angled eyes.

So, I don't have an answer for you as to what you should buy SPECIFICALLY. But looking at JSeery's picture from above, the Model A spreader has a feature that bears noting. The Model A spreader shown is built "bent" like it is because the spring on a Model A is directly OVER the axle, and not BEHIND it. The "bend" is to clear the banjo center section. The feature worth noting is the way the two ENDS are made. Note that they are in a "C" shape, so as to capture both sides of the spring eye. If those tabs were a little more pronounced, something like that on the ends of a PORTA-POWER type device would be safe to use on both a regular, or CURVED leaf spring. Nobody I know of TODAY is building quality spring spreaders like you are seeking. As several have pointed-out, it's not difficult to build a safe spreader if you use quality materials and implement a well-thought-out and safe approach. I think I would make two ends similar to below that could be incorporated with a Porta-Power like those available at Northern or Home Depot, etc. DD

[Russdadto5]

I have found porta-power on e-bay for $70.00 you could spend almost that much building one

[Mart]

As stated above, one that will work on a 36 is much simpler than one you would use on a 34. On a 36 you get a straight shot between the spring eyes. It is easy to make a spreader for a 35 up because it can be made with some tubing and some threaded bar. I made one myself for a 40 spring.

That would not work on a 34 though, because the diff gets in the way. you can't get a straight shot. Once any sort of bend is involved, the structure needs to be much stronger as in the triangulated unit pictured above. That is for a model A and needs even more clearance than a 34.

To try and answer your question, I don't know where you would buy one, but if you can get one for a 34 it should also work on the 36.

Mart.

[Kube]

Threads similar to this have been around and around. I want to (again) caution anyone from using "All-thread" for a spring spreader. That stuff is brittle and is NOT intended to be utilized in a fashion required of a spring spreader.
And, I don't want to hear "Hey, it worked for me" or "Hey, I've been using one like that for years...".
Yep, lots of folks have doing a lot of ignorant things-often for years and got away with it. That does not make it wise nor safe.
I would not want to be the guy that suggested "All Thread" is an option only to find out some guy took that advice and had his so called spring spreader go through his chest.

[Daryl Middlebrook]

V8 Coopman, Thank You for your reply!!!! Your post answered my questions and gave me a good explanation. Thus, I now have a direction to follow.

[51 MERC-CT]

Many years ago when I had Fords that needed a spring spreader, I fabricated one using a bumper jack and a length of pipe and there was no welding involved.

[Alaska Jim]

since this thread took a bit of a side track, let me ask this question. does any make a spreader that works on reversed eye springs, or has any one made one that works on the reversed eye springs? I agree that all thread is an iffy proposition. some of the all thread sold today is very soft, and bends and breaks easily. it would be better to get a good piece of steel round stock and thread it yourself.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Alaska Jim

since this thread took a bit of a side track, let me ask this question. does any make a spreader that works on reversed eye springs, or has any one made one that works on the reversed eye springs? I agree that all thread is an iffy proposition. some of the all thread sold today is very soft, and bends and breaks easily. it would be better to get a good piece of steel round stock and thread it yourself.

Place a set of shackles over the spring at each end and insert the spreader between them. Works well!
I have attached two photos that should give you a better idea of what I am attempting to describe. I was too lazy to gather my spring spreader so simply placed a piece of conduit near the shackle set to illustrate the method.

[42guy]

If you make one make sure you get quality all thread. The stuff from Depot or Lowes will bend. I know. Got new rod from an industrial supply business and works great.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 42guy

If you make one make sure you get quality all thread. The stuff from Depot or Lowes will bend. I know. Got new rod from an industrial supply business and works great.

Laughin' my butt off. Good quality vs. poor quality... All thread is not designed for this use.