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04-11-2016, 06:15 PM | #1 |
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Portapower for spring spreader
I'm looking at a harbor freight porta power to use as a spring spreader. It says it has a 4 3/4" stroke. I have the style spring that stabilizes the car from side motion and I am unsure if that is enough stroke to get inside an uninstalled spring and still have stroke to get it into position. I've searched threads on the spreaders and many seem to be using the hydraulic units. Is the short stroke on these units sufficient? If they will do the job, is a 4-ton sufficient, or is a 10 ton needed?
I know that manual spreaders can be built but I'm focusing on hydraulic right now. |
04-11-2016, 06:19 PM | #2 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
I was about to install new rear spring in 39 Merc. Was hoping to use a Porta Power, came to find out that for an uninstalled spring that no way was there enough travel. Purchased a mechanical spring spreader.
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I went, I saw, I bought the T shirt 51 Ford Deluxe Tudor 32 Ford roadster 39 Mercury Towncar |
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04-11-2016, 07:48 PM | #3 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
I use one all time on early fords, i have tw0 junk extensions with a piece of angle iron welded to them on a 45 so there is a perfect place for the spring eye to sit
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04-11-2016, 08:00 PM | #4 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
My Harbor Freight porta power does My early Ford springs just fine ('32-'40-'42 stuff).
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04-11-2016, 08:14 PM | #5 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
You do a '32 with a port power? I'm not from Missouri, but show me please.
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04-11-2016, 09:02 PM | #6 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
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04-11-2016, 09:07 PM | #7 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
HF does my 40 spring.
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04-11-2016, 09:13 PM | #8 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
40cpe- to answer your original questions. A 4 ton should do fine. If you can get one with extensions, make the ram as long as you can to fit between spring eyes. Do this with car on jackstands. Pump unit until shackles become loose. I take both plates off of shackles and then gently release pressure. This should do the trick.
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04-11-2016, 09:31 PM | #9 |
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Location: Star, MS
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
Thanks all. There are several brands/sellers/prices of the hydraulic ram but they LOOK alike to me. I suspect the same Chinese maker of a lot of them. I just finished installing a slightly de-arched reversed eye main leaf in my '38. I did it by unstacking, removing and replacing the main leaf, and restacking the leafs. Not a fun job off a creeper at my age. I know I'll have to make brackets to catch the spring which-ever spreader I use in the future.
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04-11-2016, 09:44 PM | #10 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
This is how I do it if the Diff head is in the way .If you feel unsafe then tie the small extension on but on a Flat head the angle is not so sever ,also the revers eye spring you use your new shackle or centre U bolts .works a treat .Ted
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04-11-2016, 10:09 PM | #11 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
U bolt links ,once the tension is on every thing locks in place .Ted
Last edited by FlatheadTed; 04-12-2016 at 12:57 AM. |
04-12-2016, 07:22 AM | #12 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
I used a porta power on the 38. One advantage is you are not near the spring.
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04-12-2016, 10:17 AM | #13 | |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
Quote:
Use them primarily for reversed eye springs, but they also work with the curved rear springs. I also know the push isn't exactly linear, but it works. |
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04-12-2016, 01:04 PM | #14 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
I used a porta power for my 34 and it leaked (my friend lend it to me) so I'm not trying to complain. As soon as I got it within 1/16" from putting the shackle bar on spring stud it would start to relax. Pumping with one hand and trying and key the shackle bar and tread the nut with the other hand was what seemed forever! I persevered but it was a project I won't forget HA. I bought a mechanical spreader. PS You always have the feeling it going (explode) to come apart with all the extensions you have to use. I wore a face shield.
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Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups. Last edited by stangblue; 04-12-2016 at 01:17 PM. |
04-12-2016, 01:21 PM | #15 |
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Re: Portapower for spring spreader
You say 4 3/4" stroke, that's fine if your taking the spring off then putting it back on, leaving the porta power in the spring. Will it be enough to spread a spring that's not mounted? As in fitting a new one? I'm not sure, as I use a screw type original one. I'm purty sure some of the springs I've mounted needed more than 4 3/4".
What job are you up to? Remove n replace or new to the axle spring? Can anyone clarify if that's enough travel to fit a new bouncer. Martin. |
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