Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-06-2020, 05:42 PM   #1
Conaway2
Senior Member
 
Conaway2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 601
Default Rear spring spreader

Has anyone used the Ecklers spring spreader ??

Years ago, I used a homemade one with2 pieces of galvanized pipe and threaded stock in the middle with nuts and washers. It worked, but was tricky to use because the threaded stock had to bend over the banjo. Not sure I want to do that again.

Thanks - Jim
Conaway2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 06:05 PM   #2
Bruce of MN
Senior Member
 
Bruce of MN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,395
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

It looks good. https://www.ecklers.com/model-a-ford...8-23743-1.html
Bruce of MN is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-06-2020, 07:17 PM   #3
Mulletwagon
Senior Member
 
Mulletwagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 585
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

The rear spring is a widow maker. Definitely use a full length, quality spreader. Did not use the Eckler tool, but it looks pretty good and I would try it. Extreme caution is warranted !!
Mulletwagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 07:42 PM   #4
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

I have used this spring spreader from Snyder's with great success. I think you are smart to get a good one. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword

Eckler's (Mac's) and Snyder's both offer a more expensive one with ball bearing thrust bearings so it is easier to turn.
__________________
Ruth
"Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

Last edited by Ruth; 07-06-2020 at 07:56 PM.
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 08:11 PM   #5
Conaway2
Senior Member
 
Conaway2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 601
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

Thanks all for your comments ! I’ve ordered the Eckler’s spreader via eBay - free shipping and half the price of others I;ve seen online. Snyder’s appears to sell one that looks like the Eckler’s, but does not h ave free shipping. I’ll follow up after I receive the spreader and have a chance to use it.

Jim
Conaway2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 07:50 AM   #6
Cpuckett
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 63
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Conaway2 View Post
Has anyone used the Ecklers spring spreader ??

Years ago, I used a homemade one with2 pieces of galvanized pipe and threaded stock in the middle with nuts and washers. It worked, but was tricky to use because the threaded stock had to bend over the banjo. Not sure I want to do that again.

Thanks - Jim
Yes, I’ve never ever seen one before much less used one but I bought it and used it. Piece of cake!
Cpuckett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 07:53 AM   #7
Cpuckett
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 63
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

Quote:
Originally Posted by Conaway2 View Post
Thanks all for your comments ! I’ve ordered the Eckler’s spreader via eBay - free shipping and half the price of others I;ve seen online. Snyder’s appears to sell one that looks like the Eckler’s, but does not h ave free shipping. I’ll follow up after I receive the spreader and have a chance to use it.

Jim
Jim, be sure you oil/grease the threads before using. Makes it a lot easier
Cpuckett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 08:30 AM   #8
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: Rear spring spreader



If you are handy you can run one up...schedule 80 tubing,1" grade 8 all thread,7018 stick welded,single stitch,triple pass..any kind of stored energy can kill,not just tensioned springs
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 09:24 AM   #9
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

I used my four ton porta power jack .
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 12:11 PM   #10
Terry, NJ
Senior Member
 
Terry, NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
Angry Re: Rear spring spreader

Mine was made from 1 1/2" chrome moly scrap, probably schedule 40, or there about. I also used 1" threaded rod. It works well! Don't try 3/4" It will bend. Almost took my leg off! Sorry, I can't post pics!
Terry

Last edited by Terry, NJ; 07-08-2020 at 01:24 PM.
Terry, NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 01:35 PM   #11
Chris Haynes
Senior Member
 
Chris Haynes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA
Posts: 2,830
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

I don't use a spreader. With the spring disassembled it is fairly easy to install the main leaf by itself. Then simply reassemble the spring. I am doing this now myself. My reason for this is I am installing a spring with reversed eyes and the spreader won't work.
__________________
1921 Runabout
1930 Tudor
Early 1930 AA
Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?
Chris Haynes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 07:47 PM   #12
John
Senior Member
 
John's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 187
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

I vote for the porta power. That way I can spread the spring and stand a few feet away.

John
John is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2020, 07:20 PM   #13
Pete
Senior Member
 
Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,374
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

I have used a porta-power for years. You need an adapter to get around the banjo but they are available commercially now. They have slip on adapters so you can spread a reversed eye spring also.
Pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2020, 10:58 AM   #14
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

I use weight in the back of the vehicle and a short piece of 2X4 between the spring and axle housing. Simple and inexpensive.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2020, 11:53 AM   #15
DBSHELTON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Kountze,TX
Posts: 313
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

Whatever method you use, be sure to wrap a safety chain around everything. It doesn't take but a minute and you never know what can happen.
DBSHELTON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2020, 03:35 PM   #16
shew01
Senior Member
 
shew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Roanoke, VA USA
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
I use weight in the back of the vehicle and a short piece of 2X4 between the spring and axle housing. Simple and inexpensive.

That’s interesting. By any chance, do you have any pictures?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
shew01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2020, 09:33 AM   #17
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

Quote:
That’s interesting. By any chance, do you have any pictures?
Sorry, no pictures, I don't usually think of taking pictures when I'm working on something, I think of it after the fact.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2020, 02:14 PM   #18
RonC
Senior Member
 
RonC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,868
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

It’s safer not to remove the spring attached to the rear end. Remove the rear end then remove rear spring. Wrap the spring with a chain before removing from car
RonC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2020, 03:22 PM   #19
Tom Endy
Senior Member
 
Tom Endy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,122
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

The subject of the rear spring comes up often on this forum and from some of the responses posted it becomes apparent there are still people in the Model A hobby that do not believe the rear spring is lethal.

I have been overhauling rear axle assemblies for about 35 years and have heard first hand several horror stories. Believe me the rear spring on a Model A Ford can be lethal and it deserves proper respect.

The attached article describes the proper way a rear spring should be handled.

Also attached is a photo of a broken shackle. Some of you may be aware that several of us are in the process of restoring a 1930 Tudor for my 14-year old grandson. We began the process in early March 2020 when we acquired the car. One the first thing we did was pull the rear end for restoration. When we removed the left shackle we found one of the shackle bolts broken in half. Had we pulled the rear end with the spring attached the unrestrained spring could have easily taken flight and injured anyone in its path.

The question may be asked, how does a shackle bolt get broken? My theory is that whoever last installed the shackles tightened the nuts down tight. The nuts should be pulled down tight to ensure the shackle is fully seated, then the nuts should be backed off a turn before inserting the cotter pins. The purpose is to allow the shackles to pivot when going over a bump, otherwise they could be twisted off, which I believe is what happened.

Tom Endy
Attached Images
File Type: jpg shackle broken.jpg (53.8 KB, 44 views)
Attached Files
File Type: pdf The Model A Rear Spring.pdf (58.3 KB, 62 views)
Tom Endy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2020, 04:52 PM   #20
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Re: Rear spring spreader

I was watching the Victoria Restoration on You Tube and I noticed the rear end sitting there. Only thing holding the spring together is the spring clamps. Center bolt is gone. Yikes
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Spring.jpg (18.8 KB, 89 views)
__________________
Ruth
"Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:40 AM.