rear springs do not meet the shackle. It is about 1/8 to 1/4inch too short.
How do I flatten the spring to make it fit?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Bob
Is it in the car? If the spring is already mounted to the frame and your rear end (Well...... not YOUR rear end....You know what I mean) is sitting underneath you can put a block of wood (2x4 is OK) between the spring eye and the axle housing and jack up the axle. When the spring eye hits the block of wood, it will begin to spread out until you can get the shackle in.
If it's outside the car, you may need a spring spreader.
Just put the block in there and have your wife crawl into rear seat.
If the rear wheels and brake drums are off, you can unscrew the nuts on the spring perches so they reach the shackles, then pull them back in place with the nuts.
Robert I would find somebody who has a spring spreader I have one and they are well worth the cost I think macs sells them If not then I would borrow somebody's its a lot easier than running of the perch nuts
I used heavy ratchet cargo straps with the (2X4's as previously mentioned) and "ratcheted" to compress my rear springs.
I have used large "C" clamps between the frame and spring and drew them together so I could insert the bolts.
I'm not going to touch that comment about having the wife crawl into the back seat...
The body and fenders are off. The springs are on the frame and the frame is sitting on the rear as I try and put it on.
I get the idea, try and spread the springs one way or another.
Two big C clamps as far apart as possible on the frame horns to the spring will lift both sides up into place, or just the one in your case. ws
Robert,
Use the method that Roger Karlsson gave you. It works very well.
With the wheels off, back off the spring perch nuts until you can insert the shackles, then tighten the nuts back down. Remember to put cotter keys back in.
Very easy and it doesn't chew up any paint on the axle or spring.
With the speedsters light weight I used Roger's method along with the 2X4 blocks. Worked well
Two more ways in addition to the blocks, are to loosen the perches, and you can use a spring spreader too.
I used large c-clamps on mine. They brought the spring and perch together so I could them to go together.
Worked for me.
I've not had a problem lining up the shackles if I inserted one side and then with a jack under the differential and a 2X4 on edge under the spring and on top of the axle on the other side. Just jack up as the spring flattens the shackle will line up easily.
Roger and Tod nailed it.
The 2x4 block is the cheapest and easiest way to do it, and there is no chance of damaging something
Put 2x4 blocks under the spring eyes then jack the spring eyes apart using a Model T Jack and a 2x4 extension. Works every time.
Thanks for all the suggestions, but when all else fails, read the instructions! Didn't know it was in the Model T bible.
Hey Robert,
Notice that you should be able to do this job in under an hour and a quarter, let us know how you do time wise
The Model A way with out a spreader is use a good 4 wheel floor jack. Loop a heavy chain under the jack ,then up over the read cross member and lock chain together..Then jack up the rear axle with the spring sliding on wood blocks .The car won't go up being lock to the jack... Works every time...You may have to touch up some paint or try to use some of padding...
Also You can get one shackle in first and as you pump up the jack the spring gets wider to reach the on the side sliding on the block... You may have to give the shackle or spring a few heavy blows to get it all together
With the body off, I sat on the center of my rear spring and had my son insert the bolts when the holes were lined up. At 230 lbs. I had no trouble spreading the spring to the proper width. Jim Patrick