A lock ring spreader (10; 200) capable of being mounted to a lock ring (12; 310) having a first end and a second end , the lock ring spreader (10; 200) comprising: a first mount (14; 202) mountable to the lock ring (12; 310) near the first end of the lock ring (12; 310); a second mount (16; 204) mountable to the lock ring (12; 310) near the second end of the lock ring (12; 310); a crank arm (42; 220) pivotally coupled to the first mount (14; 202) and extending radially outward from the first mount (14; 202) relative to the lock ring (12; 310) wherein the crank arm (42; 220) includes a first latch member (86; 248) having a latch lever pivotally coupled to the crank arm (42; 220), the latch lever including a grip portion (92; 250) and an engagement portion (94; 264); and a link arm (102, 104; 270, 272) pivotally coupled to the second mount (16; 204) and the crank arm (42; 220) and extending radially outward from the second mount (16; 204) relative to the lock ring (12; 310), wherein at least one of the second mount (16; 204) and the link arm (102, 104; 270, 272) includes a second latch member (98; 266) having a land , the first latch member (86; 248) and the second latch member (98; 266) being selectively coupled to inhibit movement between the crank arm (42; 220) and the second mount (16; 204); whereby pivoting the crank arm (42; 220) radially inward relative to the lock ring (12; 310) pivots the link arm (102, 104; 270, 272) relative to the crank arm (42; 220) and expands a distance between the first mount (14; 202) and the second mount (16; 204) to an over-center position and then to a locked position once the lock ring spreader (10; 200) has moved past the over-center position, and in that in the locked position the engagement portion (94; 264) contacts the land to inhibit relative movement between the first latch member (86; 248) and the second latch member (98; 266). a first mount (14; 202) mountable to the lock ring (12; 310) near the first end of the lock ring (12; 310); a second mount (16; 204) mountable to the lock ring (12; 310) near the second end of the lock ring (12; 310); a crank arm (42; 220) pivotally coupled to the first mount (14; 202) and extending radially outward from the first mount (14; 202) relative to the lock ring (12; 310) wherein the crank arm (42; 220) includes a first latch member (86; 248) having a latch lever pivotally coupled to the crank arm (42; 220), the latch lever including a grip portion (92; 250) and an engagement portion (94; 264); and a link arm (102, 104; 270, 272) pivotally coupled to the second mount (16; 204) and the crank arm (42; 220) and extending radially outward from the second mount (16; 204) relative to the lock ring (12; 310), wherein at least one of the second mount (16; 204) and the link arm (102, 104; 270, 272) includes a second latch member (98; 266) having a land , the first latch member (86; 248) and the second latch member (98; 266) being selectively coupled to inhibit movement between the crank arm (42; 220) and the second mount (16; 204); whereby pivoting the crank arm (42; 220) radially inward relative to the lock ring (12; 310) pivots the link arm (102, 104; 270, 272) relative to the crank arm (42; 220) and expands a distance between the first mount (14; 202) and the second mount (16; 204) to an over-center position and then to a locked position once the lock ring spreader (10; 200) has moved past the over-center position, and in that in the locked position the engagement portion (94; 264) contacts the land to inhibit relative movement between the first latch member (86; 248) and the second latch member (98; 266). <EOS>