MTFCA Forum

I need to do some more shenanigans on my rear suspension again. This time though I don't have access to the tools and shop i was able to borrow and hence can't replicate the janky definitely not OSHA approved method for spreading the springs. Would this model a spreader from Snyder's work on my 17 t? It's up there in my price range but I am no fabricator and I pay the price for lacking that skill.

I just use two blocks of wood.

You don't need a spreader on a model T. Actually makes the job harder.
Using jacks & 2x4's under the leaf ends & Lifting against the body's weight will lengthen the spring to install the shackles.
My preferred method is to attach the perches first. Guide the perch stud into the backing plates. Pull home with the big castle nuts.

Wood might do it but I tried before and had no luck, though I think the blocks I used were too short. Side question, is that not bad for the axle all that weight?

LittleTimmy52 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 01, 2025 1:32 pm

Wood might do it but I tried before and had no luck, though I think the blocks I used were too short. Side question, is that not bad for the axle all that weight?

Use one jack on each side. (2 jacks) Or.......
I have A cradle I made that goes into my floor jack. Arms extend to either side to lift the axle by the end backing plate castings @ the same time.
Do not lift by the center pumpkin only.
Not that it wont work, but you will develop a gear lube leak & possibly bend the tubes.

Here's how I did it when I installed my Ruckstell. Loosened the nuts on the spring perches, then used wood blocks to guide the spring eyes close enough to the perches to allow the shackles to slide in. Once the shackles were in, I re-tightened the spring perches.

I made one out of a 16" piece of 1/2" iron pipe, a 6" piece of 1/2" all thread, a couple 1/2" nuts & flat washers & a 1/2" coupler - grind down one end of the pipe just enough to go over one of the punkin bolts, heat up and flatten one end of the 1/2" coupler, insert the flattened coupler under the spring eye, insert all thread into the pipe, thread out the nuts until snug then wrench away to the desired length to insert the opposite shackle - I attach one shackle first then use the tool for the other side - I'll take a photo later.

"CudaMan's" set-up is "spot-on". It can sometimes be slightly ticklish to find the sweet spot, where the spring is neither pushing nor pulling on the shackles to where you can slip the shackles in/out.