Salisbury diff spreader

**gromit** · 29th October 2023, 09:55 AM

I may have to remove the diff centre in a Salisbury axle and was looking at making a spreader.
I spoke with a contact at ARB HO and he sent a link to their unit, nice but expensive. OK if you're doing lots.

I was collecting some parts this morning and the gentleman asked if there was anything else I needed so I mentioned I needed a Salisbury diff spreader, he rummaged outside in his scrap pile and found the one in the picture.

Currently soaking in Plus Gas to see if it will free off !

Colin

**gromit** · 30th October 2023, 09:25 PM

The Plus Gas helped free it off.
The body is heavily pitted at one end where it sat outside for years but otherwise all OK.
Hit with a wire brush in an angle grinder and a quick treatment with phosphoric acid to hold back the rust.

Colin

**p38arover** · 31st October 2023, 02:15 AM

Good find!

Is the adjustable section just not visible in the photos or is that it in the middle at the bottom?

**Red90** · 31st October 2023, 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by p38arover

Good find!

Is the adjustable section just not visible in the photos or is that it in the middle at the bottom?

Turn the nut at the bottom to spread.

**gromit** · 31st October 2023, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by Red90

Turn the nut at the bottom to spread.

Correct, the nut at the bottom adjusts the spread.
I'll take a photo tonight.

It's very heavy but built to last, years outside in the weather fortunately didn't kill it.

Colin

**p38arover** · 31st October 2023, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Red90

Turn the nut at the bottom to spread.

I thought as much but wasn’t sure if it was a nut. Is it fixed to a bar with LH and RH threads at opposite ends or is only one end threaded?

**123rover50** · 31st October 2023, 09:47 AM

Here is the one I made 30 odd years ago when I had Mal fit difflocks to the front and rear Salisburys in my camper.
Works a bit different as its a compressor rather than a spreader but still gets the job done.
Not needed to use it since.

IMG_2841 by Keith Cree, on Flickr

Keith

**gromit** · 31st October 2023, 08:05 PM

Picture of the adjustment mechanism, pulled slightly apart.

Colin

**Tins** · 31st October 2023, 08:19 PM

We used to use something similar on Datsuns with BW diffs. Was the BW a licensed copy of the Sals? Anyone know?

The Aus built 200B and Stanza used them. Bluebird as well, maybe? Imports were all IRS.

**McBrain283** · 30th September 2025, 09:45 AM

Hi Gromit

My Salisbury what itself driving up to the 77th LR birthday in Gundagai last weekend. Haven't had it apart but a bearing has gone somewhere.

Do you still have the spreader? I am looking for one to borrow.

I don't need any more repair jobs but I'm not complaining, it's been almost 20 years since this diff was rebuilt.

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