The Ford Barn

1stford · 10-07-2016, 10:23 PM

Current situation:
Rearend just got rebuilt and is ready to go into the truck. I need to get the leaf spring attached to the rear end, is there any tricks that you fellas could share that makes getting the leaf spring onto the rear end.

JSeery · 10-07-2016, 10:34 PM

well, you need a spreader. You need some way to spread the spring safely to attach the shackles.

ford38v8 · 10-07-2016, 10:37 PM

A spring spreader or a port-power is the usual and safest method. The first may be borrowed, the second may be rented.

If you can visualize the weight of the car helping in the assembly, and you have jack stands and floor jacks, you can do without either of the previously mentioned tools. However, do not try this before thinking it through, and verifying your life insurance is current and valid.

Question: Working backwards, how was the rear end removed for the rebuild?

EDIT: I see you updated your post with a picture. forget the "weight of the car" idea.

1stford · 10-07-2016, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

A spring spreader or a port-power is the usual and safest method. The first may be borrowed, the second may be rented.

If you can visualize the weight of the car helping in the assembly, and you have jack stands and floor jacks, you can do without either of the previously mentioned tools. However, do not try this before thinking it through, and verifying your life insurance is current and valid.

Question: Working backwards, how was the rear end removed for the rebuild?

EDIT: I see you updated your post with a picture. forget the "weight of the car" idea.

So the removal, super bad idea, defiantly don't try it at home. I basically unbolted the shackles and hit the spring with a rubber mallet until it broke the bolt and went flying. It was not my brightest idea ever.

on the front I was able to take the spring apart and attach the bottom leaf by working on it for about 3 hours before figuring out if I held my mouth just right it would get in there. I built the spring from there. I may see who has a spring spreader, or taking recommendations for one to buy.
Thanks for the input.

JSeery · 10-07-2016, 10:49 PM

If (as the photo would lead you to believe) you are working with only the main spring then it should not be to hard to spread it over to the remaining shackle. You still need some type of spreader. Then you will need some type of long bolt to stack and compress the remaining leaves until you can get the final bolt tightened down.

JM 35 Sedan · 10-08-2016, 06:24 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

There have been many previous posts on removing and installing these springs. Doing a search should give you much info on this subject.

1931 flamingo · 10-08-2016, 07:30 AM

BE CAREFUL Lots of "stored" energy in an assembled rear spring.
Paul in CT

sunshine · 10-08-2016, 07:33 AM

Do you belong to a car club ,such as the early ford v8 club . Our club has a set of spring spreaders we loan out to members. But weare in Md. Sunshine.

marko39 · 10-08-2016, 08:09 AM

i installed a front spring in my 39 with 12 leaves and engine out. spring should be assembled first, this will reduce the total arc of the main leaf.i installed one shackle and then used a large C clamp to pull other end closer to get other shackle. i did modify C clamp by removing the small T handle and welding a large nut to bottom that i could get a ratchet on. care must taken as C clamp will want to slide off shackle and do not use too much force on C clamp.

JSeery · 10-08-2016, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko39

i installed a front spring in my 39 with 12 leaves and engine out. spring should be assembled first, this will reduce the total arc of the main leaf.i installed one shackle and then used a large C clamp to pull other end closer to get other shackle. i did modify C clamp by removing the small T handle and welding a large nut to bottom that i could get a ratchet on. care must taken as C clamp will want to slide off shackle and do not use too much force on C clamp.

This is a very bad idea, you may have gotten away with it but it is possible to receive severe injuries as well (by the way, I have done the same thing myself when I was younger, but that still doesn't make it a good idea!)

Mart · 10-08-2016, 08:59 AM

For a 40 style rear spring the spreader does not have to be anything special. I used a piece of 25mm (1") square tubing with a 2mm wall and two pieces of 20mm threaded bar. I heated and flattened the ends of the bar to form a sort of chisel point (to register into the crook of the eyes) and then just used a couple of 20mm nuts and washers. Depending in what you can get hold of, 3/4" threaded rod would probably suffice. It does take some turning to push the eyes apart, as in my case the spring was fully assembled, but the 1" square tubing is plenty strong enough because with a 40 type spring you can get a straight push on it. A 32-34 spring needs a much stronger spreader because it has to be curved.

Mart.

Bulligen · 10-08-2016, 09:15 AM

I always take a couple of extra big c clamps and just put them around the spring assembly to kind of cage them in so that if something bad happens these clamps will stop the springs from flying around. If you have been around a spring that has let loose you will have a whole new appreciation for pent up spring energy !!! Be safe guys !!!!

Kube · 10-08-2016, 10:10 AM

[QUOTE=ford38v8;1366417]A spring spreader or a port-power is the usual and safest method. The first may be borrowed, the second may be rented.

. However, do not try this before thinking it through, and verifying your life insurance is current and valid.

I love this. Funny and oh so accurate.

Russdadto5 · 10-08-2016, 12:59 PM

Just did this to rear of my 40 , I took a piece of treaded rod put it in the end of my jack handle with two large nuts & washers . one end of handle at one end of spring the other with two nuts & washer at other . Worked fine

Russdadto5 · 10-08-2016, 02:34 PM

Pictures for my post below.

Capt Kirk · 10-08-2016, 03:24 PM

How I did mine recently...easy and safe.

19Fordy · 10-08-2016, 03:58 PM

If you are in south FL you can borrow my spring spreader. Will work on both front and rear and will not bend or break. I have only used it twice so there's still plenty of miles to go. Just for personal satisfaction make one yourself.

JSeery · 10-08-2016, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russdadto5

Pictures for my post below.

Hope you don't mind, it's a little easier to see right side up.

zzlegend · 10-08-2016, 04:36 PM

Ya,,,,,,much better,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,my neck was getting a kink.

19Fordy · 10-08-2016, 06:05 PM

Mr. Serry, THAT is a great idea. Well "spread".

10-07-2016, 10:23 PM	#1
1stford Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 274	39 rear end install Current situation: Rearend just got rebuilt and is ready to go into the truck. I need to get the leaf spring attached to the rear end, is there any tricks that you fellas could share that makes getting the leaf spring onto the rear end. Last edited by 1stford; 10-07-2016 at 10:33 PM.

10-07-2016, 10:34 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 39 rear end install well, you need a spreader. You need some way to spread the spring safely to attach the shackles.

10-07-2016, 10:37 PM	#3
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,641	Re: 39 rear end install A spring spreader or a port-power is the usual and safest method. The first may be borrowed, the second may be rented. If you can visualize the weight of the car helping in the assembly, and you have jack stands and floor jacks, you can do without either of the previously mentioned tools. However, do not try this before thinking it through, and verifying your life insurance is current and valid. Question: Working backwards, how was the rear end removed for the rebuild? EDIT: I see you updated your post with a picture. forget the "weight of the car" idea. __________________ Alan

10-07-2016, 10:49 PM	#5
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 39 rear end install If (as the photo would lead you to believe) you are working with only the main spring then it should not be to hard to spread it over to the remaining shackle. You still need some type of spreader. Then you will need some type of long bolt to stack and compress the remaining leaves until you can get the final bolt tightened down.

10-08-2016, 06:24 AM	#6
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: 39 rear end install Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There have been many previous posts on removing and installing these springs. Doing a search should give you much info on this subject. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

10-08-2016, 07:30 AM	#7
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: 39 rear end install BE CAREFUL Lots of "stored" energy in an assembled rear spring. Paul in CT

10-08-2016, 07:33 AM	#8
sunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SUNSHINE MD. Posts: 318	Re: 39 rear end install Do you belong to a car club ,such as the early ford v8 club . Our club has a set of spring spreaders we loan out to members. But weare in Md. Sunshine.

10-08-2016, 08:09 AM	#9
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: 39 rear end install i installed a front spring in my 39 with 12 leaves and engine out. spring should be assembled first, this will reduce the total arc of the main leaf.i installed one shackle and then used a large C clamp to pull other end closer to get other shackle. i did modify C clamp by removing the small T handle and welding a large nut to bottom that i could get a ratchet on. care must taken as C clamp will want to slide off shackle and do not use too much force on C clamp.

10-08-2016, 08:59 AM	#11
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,747	Re: 39 rear end install For a 40 style rear spring the spreader does not have to be anything special. I used a piece of 25mm (1") square tubing with a 2mm wall and two pieces of 20mm threaded bar. I heated and flattened the ends of the bar to form a sort of chisel point (to register into the crook of the eyes) and then just used a couple of 20mm nuts and washers. Depending in what you can get hold of, 3/4" threaded rod would probably suffice. It does take some turning to push the eyes apart, as in my case the spring was fully assembled, but the 1" square tubing is plenty strong enough because with a 40 type spring you can get a straight push on it. A 32-34 spring needs a much stronger spreader because it has to be curved. Mart.

10-08-2016, 09:15 AM	#12
Bulligen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Elgin Illinois Posts: 736	Re: 39 rear end install I always take a couple of extra big c clamps and just put them around the spring assembly to kind of cage them in so that if something bad happens these clamps will stop the springs from flying around. If you have been around a spring that has let loose you will have a whole new appreciation for pent up spring energy !!! Be safe guys !!!!

10-08-2016, 10:10 AM	#13
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 8,993	Re: 39 rear end install [QUOTE=ford38v8;1366417]A spring spreader or a port-power is the usual and safest method. The first may be borrowed, the second may be rented. . However, do not try this before thinking it through, and verifying your life insurance is current and valid. I love this. Funny and oh so accurate. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

10-08-2016, 12:59 PM	#14
Russdadto5 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Hurt, Virginia Posts: 27	Re: 39 rear end install Just did this to rear of my 40 , I took a piece of treaded rod put it in the end of my jack handle with two large nuts & washers . one end of handle at one end of spring the other with two nuts & washer at other . Worked fine

10-08-2016, 04:36 PM	#19
zzlegend Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Reseda, Calif. Posts: 2,188	Re: 39 rear end install Ya,,,,,,much better,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,my neck was getting a kink.

10-08-2016, 06:05 PM	#20
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,930	Re: 39 rear end install Mr. Serry, THAT is a great idea. Well "spread".