Has anyone made their own case spreader? I would like to build one, but would like some input first.

I never use case spreaders

i made one but dont use it. I find a 5 lb rubber sledge will spread it just fine :D

Guess i shoulda given a bit more detail...Like Gearman said, case spreaders are just too much hassel. I use a deadblow, even when I had access to a spreader

If you need to build it, not mutch to them. Just a square large enough to allow unobstructed access into the case and can piviot at the lower corners. I used the diff cover as a template and drilled the plate to use the diff cover bolts. The seperator at the top was the drum break auto adjuster. Use a micromater when using it so you don't crack the casting, and a rubber mallet.

try to torque it out by putting a wrench on a bolt on the ring gear and bracing it on the case. This worked for my d60 when nothing else did. I've heard a lot of bad things about case spreaders.

Yea, I always use the wrench trick myself and have never had any problems. Everything pops out first try. You can also just chuck a rag in between the ring and pinion and it does the same thing.

alot of people just turn the pinyon backward and they say it just pops out (I have never tryed it thow)

Originally posted by AGGIE_04
I've heard a lot of bad things about case spreaders. [/B]



like what have you heard? and by who?:confused:

It sounds like I've been doing it the right way all along. Seems that its OK to be a "Hammer Mechanic" I just thought that a spreader would be nice for re-installing the carrier. I'll keep doing it the old fashioned way. :p Thanks for the input.

If you spread a case too much it can distort the case. You are only supposed to spread a dana 60 .015". And mossberg, there have been a few discussions on this and there are always a few people, like robert, twaldher, and terra-izer on this board who agree that a case spreader can possibly hurt the case.

I just want to say that the idea of using a wrench on the ring gear bolts is an awesome and cheap method to remove the carrier. I tried prying for a while with not even a budge. But my 13/16" wrench and a pry bar to turn the yoke worked in a matter of seconds.

Thanks for the thread, it goes to show that the search button does work ;)