Clutch Replacement

[Afordman31]

If I remove the rear end I have left the spring connected to the rearend. You want to mark the spring and the frame with a paint marker so when you install the rearend back in the car you will know that it is centered and the square head on the bolt that ties the leaves together go's back in the square hole. Also I have two 16" ford rims with no tires on that I put on the rear brake drums to get the rearend lowered so I can roll it out from under the car. Worked out good for me!

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Afordman31

If I remove the rear end I have left the spring connected to the rearend. You want to mark the spring and the frame with a paint marker so when you install the rearend back in the car you will know that it is centered and the square head on the bolt that ties the leaves together go's back in the square hole. Also I have two 16" ford rims with no tires on that I put on the rear brake drums to get the rearend lowered so I can roll it out from under the car. Worked out good for me!

This is not a good idea. Doing it this way leaves the spring with high internal energy, and only a single 3/8" bolt (95 years old?) containing that energy. If that single bolt lets loose then the energy will be released catastrophically. When it's in the car the U-bolts and plates, and the weight of the car, help contain that energy, and the spring is surrounded by the cross member. If you doubt how much energy is contained in that spread spring, try spreading it to fit into the shackles. That is difficult even with a spring spreader.

I suspect that most on this forum would caution you against this practice.

[Canton_Model_A's]

To all, I want to thank all the comments and recommendations that have been presented here. I will return the Clutch and pressure plate back to Snyders and will get both from Bert's (model A store). I won't do anything here until I get the recommendations from the crew here at the Barn.

Besides me doing all the brakes and backing plates and king pins, this will be the most major work I have attempted on my 'A'. All help and criticism is justified. I am still a Newbie as I have only had 'Darla' since 2022.

Thank you all! it is greatly appreciated and helpful.

Dave