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Spring stretcher for HWH jacks

May 10, 2013, 05:18:23 pm

After using the wood shim method for removing one of the springs from my rear jack in order to get to the hose clamp screws to get the actuator assembly off, I decided to make something to stretch the springs with.  First I used an online calculator to find out how much force was created by the spring and it turned out to be about 70 pounds per inch.  I thought I could make the inverse of a normal spring compressor and so I got some 3/4 inch all thread and four nuts to fit.  The rest of the parts were from my steel scrap.  I am hoping that I can use this to put the spring back on after I put in new o-rings that go between the two cylinders and their ports.  The hook portion is 1/4 inch steel plate and the pipe would not quite fit until I honed it out with a brake hone.  I also discovered that when you do not use a welder for a long time your welds look awful.

5/14/2013 Update:  Today I used my spring stretcher to reinstall the spring - it worked like a champ.  Trial and error led me to the proper way of using it.  First, install the bottom end of the spring in the foot; next, align the spring with the jack when it is horizontal; next, stretch the spring past the upper knob; and finally, release tension on the spring while pushing the upper end over the knob.  This works best if the long end of the threaded rod is toward the foot of the jack.  I also found out that it is a lot easier to turn the nut with a service wrench than the full sized open end wrench I started with.

Now, the reason for all this: my actuator assembly was leaking, I thought.  When removing the assembly I noticed that the fluid was coming from the bottom cylinder port, not the actuator itself.  I've installed new seals.  I will be testing it next week.

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Re: Spring stretcher for HWH jacks

Reply #1 – May 10, 2013, 07:03:35 pm

John, A friend has SOB and when the spring came off ( I don't know why ) I was able to use a tire iron to force the end of the spring up enough to reattach it.  Looks like your tool will be a little safer tho.
Gary B

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Re: Spring stretcher for HWH jacks

Reply #2 – May 10, 2013, 10:01:44 pm

I took a different approach to re-install my spring. I pulled it out with a ratchet cargo strap between the truck and my towed car.  Once "too long" I put long screws thru the spring, one side to the other.  When I let off on the ratchet strap, the spring was long and pre-curved.  I was then able to hook on the cross link between the springs on each side.  Then it was easy to unscrew the spacer screws and the spring settled back into position.  A straight pulled spring would have likely been harder to install over the curved guide steel part.

There are photos in my folder, of my profile.
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=274

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Re: Spring stretcher for HWH jacks

Reply #3 – May 11, 2013, 08:09:57 am

There is no end to the ingenuity that is shown by the folks here. With my lack of expertise I could probably break a hammer if left alone with one but you guys could find a a way to fix it.
Gary B

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Re: Spring stretcher for HWH jacks

Reply #4 – May 11, 2013, 09:04:15 am

Every time I get stumped I remember my father in law never gave up on any problem.  Some time it took a full pot of coffee, other time just a rum and coke.

I had once used a stack of washers put into a motorcycle side stand spring to remove it and re-install it.  This was a lot more spring to work with.

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