Richard,

I thought this one would be easy, but my Googling has failed to turn up the tool I describe. I did not realize these were obscure. Tons of spreaders online, just not the right type.

The most popular separators are clearly made by KD or Lisle, both of which are more of the c-clamp type. The 'scissors jack' type is superior and more versatile.

I have 2 of them. I bought one over 10 years ago at an auto parts store, and the other at a yard sale ($2 Woo-hoo!, I'll take it!). The yard sale one is my favorite, as it has a nice big screwdriver handle that you turn to expand or contract it.

I'll look for a brand name on these, and see if that helps tweak my search any.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

I have only found the jazzed up C-clamp spreader and the cube shaped spreader. Apparently these are fairly rare tools.

I occasionally buy tools for a dollar or two and figure out a purpose for them later.

Thanks for your help.
Perhaps a different search engine will find this elusive gizmus.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)