Ray:
I have a friend that will readily allow me to borrow his spring spreader, but I've never needed it. Here's how I do it:
1. Carefully disassemble the spring (use a couple of heavy c-clamps)
2. Set the main leaf on the axle with 2x4's under each spring perch.
3. Put one shackle in.
4. Use a big clamp to slowly compress the spring. I use a large metal "Quick-Grip" meant for woodworking. Rather than using the clamp to compress, I carefully bounce on the spring and just take up the slack with the clamp.
5. When the second shackle holes line up, insert the shackle.
6. Using a piece of all-thread for alignment, use the clamps to recompress the spring clamp.
Total time, usually about 20 minutes.
Oh, I always replace the old, used spring bolt with a nice new grade-8 socket head of appropriate size.
I don't have to say be careful do I?
Mike
