KR Wilson spring spreader

[JWL]

I made mine from a top link of a tractor 3-point hitch. Cheap, works great, and easy adapt.

[glennpm]

I used a Harbor Freight "Porta-Power" on the 40 rear spring in my 32.

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by glennpm

I used a Harbor Freight "Porta-Power" on the 40 rear spring in my 32.

I owned one with a friend who died. His daughter sold it, not knowing our arrangement. Too expensive to buy another to use just one time. So goes life.

[Yoyodyne]

Just FWIW a local rental shop rents a 10 ton portapower for $19 for half a day.

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by Yoyodyne

Just FWIW a local rental shop rents a 10 ton portapower for $19 for half a day.

Not around here, at least not one I can locate. I have found a good spring spreader that I can borrow from a friend of a friend. Picking it up in the morning.

Thanks, everybody. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

[v8fordman]

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Originally Posted by Terry,OH

The K R Wilson spreader as shown in post #4 above will only do the rear spring due to it's over all length. K R W had a associated tool that used in conjunction with their spreader would do the front spring.

This piece you speak of is an attachment to the pictured spreader and a VERY rare piece. I have a KRW spreader and have borrowed that piece from a friend to do fronts. I even tried to get a machine shop to mill one for me, but it is complicated and therefore too expensive to do a one off. Always wondered if there were enough spreaders left to create enough interest to have some made?

[Yoyodyne]

Do you have a photo of the attachment?

[1931 flamingo]

Lawson.....................BE CAREFUL ! ! !
Paul in CT

[v8fordman]

Originally Posted by Yoyodyne

Do you have a photo of the attachment?

I will have to make a picture of it, but it is a unique piece.

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Lawson.....................BE CAREFUL ! ! !
Paul in CT

ALWAYS. Too overly cautious at times methinks.

Query: At what point do you stop "spreading" the spring? If you spread it far enough to move the shackle link, does not that remove the pressure on the link? Does spreading the spring farther somehow reduce the pressure on the link, making it easier to remove? Inquiring minds want to know.

[bbrocksr]

Yes, if you spread it far enough to change the angle of the shackle the pressure is reduced. Spreading it farther won,t help much.
Bill

[Yoyodyne]

At the risk of being Mr Obvious, is this to be done in a vehicle or out of the vehicle? If the spring is in a car/truck, you can support the ends of the spring with blocks and/or jacks to take the weight off the shackles and remove them that way. And yes, just slight movement indicates the pressure is off.


This can be safer than a spring spreader, as long as the car is supported safely.

[19Fordy]

Yoyodyne: Seems pretty risky to me.

[Yoyodyne]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Yoyodyne: Seems pretty risky to me.

It can be, it's best to have help. I've done it plenty on As and Ts by myself, with just wood blocks between the axle and spring, V8s need more outside support.

[Lawson Cox]

Thanks, bbrocksr, Yoyodyne, and 19Fordy for the comments. I was able to borrow a Litchfield spreader, but unfortunately, it was not a complete spreader as it was missing the shorter piece and therefore about 1/8" too long, and wouldn't work for me. I'm gonna just go ahead and spring for (no pun intended) for a new Porta Power from Harbour Freight and let my heirs figure out what to do with it. LOL

Y'all have really been a big help with this, and I really appreciate your putting up with me again. Thanks.

Until the next problem arises, I'll still be lurking hereabouts.

Lawson

[40cpe]

A few years ago I bought a 4-ton ram from Harbor freight. I got it on sale for $100. I have used it several times on the springs on my '38. When Lawson started this thread I was going to recommend this too, but I looked on line and only saw the 10-ton version for considerably more.

[v8fordman]

Originally Posted by Yoyodyne

Do you have a photo of the attachment?

Here are a couple of pictures of the attachment that allows you to remove (or install) the front spring using a KRW spring spreader. Notice how it attaches which causes the overall length of the piece reaching the spring to become reduced. This works very well as most KRW tools do. As mentioned earlier, this is a VERY rare attachment for the KRW spring spreader. I've only seen two in my life.

[glennpm]

Hi Lawson,


If you are only 1/8" too long, you could use your floor jack under the spring end, jack it a little and slip the spreader in.


Not that with the Harbor Freight unit, it comes with only one "chisel" end. I made another from pipe as you can see in my post #22.


Glenn

[Yoyodyne]

Originally Posted by v8fordman

Here are a couple of pictures of the attachment that allows you to remove (or install) the front spring using a KRW spring spreader. Notice how it attaches which causes the overall length of the piece reaching the spring to become reduced. This works very well as most KRW tools do. As mentioned earlier, this is a VERY rare attachment for the KRW spring spreader. I've only seen two in my life.

I think I understand. Yes, it would be tough to fabricate to replace that casting, without spending huge time on it. Thanks for the photos.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Yoyodyne

At the risk of being Mr Obvious, is this to be done in a vehicle or out of the vehicle? If the spring is in a car/truck, you can support the ends of the spring with blocks and/or jacks to take the weight off the shackles and remove them that way. And yes, just slight movement indicates the pressure is off.


This can be safer than a spring spreader, as long as the car is supported safely.

Yikes! I've done a few things and amazingly walked away unharmed. Read: young and dumb.
I would NEVER remove a spring the way you suggest.