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edl
12-20-2007, 01:58 PM
guys...pls forgive my ignorance...but can this http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43753 be used as a normal spring compressor for the double wishbone design seen on most old cars? - thanks for educating me - ed! :thumbup:
Danglerb
12-20-2007, 04:40 PM
Compressing springs can be so dangerous, I don't like just two jaws of bent metal.
NOMAD
12-20-2007, 05:12 PM
I'd go to autozone and get the free loaners that are made of hard metal.
I don't like the looks of that one and the HF stuff scares me (from past experience with tools breaking) for something like springs. You don't want to get it wrong...
russlaferrera
12-20-2007, 07:21 PM
I have the same one. I have done 5 sets of struts without any problems. I did change all the bolts to US grade 8, just to be sure.
Uncle Buck
12-20-2007, 10:54 PM
I have the same one. I have done 5 sets of struts without any problems. I did change all the bolts to US grade 8, just to be sure.

That sounds like a smart move!......The grade 8 thing! :pimpflash
Charles (in GA)
12-20-2007, 11:00 PM
NO, the springs used on older cars are much thicker and heavier and stronger than the little springs used on the modern light weight cars. Probably would not work, certainly not safe.

Charles
edl
12-20-2007, 11:02 PM
NO, the springs used on older cars are much thicker and heavier and stronger than the little springs used on the modern light weight cars. Probably would not work, certainly not safe.

Charles

thx charles...that's the answer ... thx all

so something more like this...?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2004154&TID=8014524F&productId=2004154&catalogId=10101
Danglerb
12-21-2007, 12:17 AM
thx charles...that's the answer ... thx all

so something more like this...?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2004154&TID=8014524F&productId=2004154&catalogId=10101

Nope. (not based on any actual experience with this tool, general dislike of 2 hook vs 3 hook style)

http://www.arizonatools.com/tools/strut-compressors/
ImportTuner
12-21-2007, 12:21 AM
thx charles...that's the answer ... thx all

so something more like this...?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2004154&TID=8014524F&productId=2004154&catalogId=10101

Yep ... that's the one ... I still have it -- used it to change springs on my 65 GTO and 66 Olds 442 ... and have not used it since .. :)