Spring Compressor

[428]

I have the POS dual clamp style for removing front coil springs. I've seen pics of one that goes in through the shock hole in the frame and pulls the spring up unloading the bottom a-arm. Early F-body A-arm suspension.
Anyone know where-brand, to get one?

[bmwpower]

Talking about this?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=80248&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

[The Alchemist]

Talking about this?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=80248&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog


That's a pretty nice spring compressor. Even using it once pays for itself in my book.

[strizzy]

Talking about this?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=80248&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog



Dont forget you can 'rent' most of these tools from your local parts stores. Used the same style on an F-body.

[Merkava_4]

What kind of car is an "F-body" anyway?

[rsanter]

I have the SO one and a near exact copy from NAPA
both work great

bob

[strizzy]

What kind of car is an "F-body" anyway?

The good kind: Camaro, Firebird, and Trans Am :thumbup:

[Merkava_4]

The good kind: Camaro, Firebird, and Trans Am :thumbup:

Ok thanks; I didn't know.


428, do you want to buy online or order from NAPA? Either way I can get you a part number.

[Merkava_4]

I have this one from KD Tools; it works pretty good:

http://www.kd-tools.com/3450.htm

[Merkava_4]

NAPA sells the KD compressor listed above using the same part number:

NAPA 3450 (http://www.napaonline.com/NOLViewer/Pages/Results.aspx?Ntt=3450&Ntk=Keyword&N=30068&Nty=1&D=3450&Dn=0&Dk=1&Dp=3&ShowPics=1&Di=30068)

[Merkava_4]

The spring compressor listed in bmwpower's post in almost half the price of NAPA's; so in that case I'd get the one from S.O.

[Phatsub]

Summit has this one for $32.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=WMR%2DW80554&N=700+115&autoview=sku

[Merkava_4]

I went online and found one for $44.03

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT3450&source=froogle&kw=KDT3450

[Merkava_4]

I'd spend a couple of extra dollars and get one I could trust; if they break while they're in the compressed position, they can kill you.

[strizzy]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/hamb/buttons/edit.gif is your friend.

[Merkava_4]

I'm assuming that's a complaint. :D

[bmwpower]

Whatever you get, get one you can use with an impact gun.

Not the same style, but I have this one:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=75294&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

It's meant to be used with an impact gun. If you can't use it with an impact, look elsewhere. Not sure how you can tell though. I can do a set of springs in no time using the impact.

BTW, the Snap On spring compressors are imports...they still work well.


***********

Anyone know what the deal is with this one?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12166&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Seems like the other piece is missing or it's supposed to screw into something. It's genuine SO, though, with the genuine SO price.

[Merkava_4]

Anyone know what the deal is with this one?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12166&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Seems like the other piece is missing or it's supposed to screw into something. It's genuine SO, though, with the genuine SO price.


Yeah that's weird; I've never seen one like that. :dunno:

[toolfreak]

Anyone know what the deal is with this one?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12166&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Seems like the other piece is missing or it's supposed to screw into something. It's genuine SO, though, with the genuine SO price.


I believe it is used on springs that have the perch built into the lower control arms. There is a hole in the control arm just for that reason.

[cambell]

Whatever you get, get one you can use with an impact gun.

Not the same style, but I have this one:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=75294&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

It's meant to be used with an impact gun. If you can't use it with an impact, look elsewhere. Not sure how you can tell though. I can do a set of springs in no time using the impact.

BTW, the Snap On spring compressors are imports...they still work well.


***********

Anyone know what the deal is with this one?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12166&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Seems like the other piece is missing or it's supposed to screw into something. It's genuine SO, though, with the genuine SO price.

HF sell one just like that, I bought it on a wim and im scaired to try it out. From the instructions it says that you put one on both sides of the spring, no perch involved.

[cambell]

doh! got my links confused, nevermind.

[428]

Whatever you get, get one you can use with an impact gun.



Anyone know what the deal is with this one?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12166&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Seems like the other piece is missing or it's supposed to screw into something. It's genuine SO, though, with the genuine SO price.

Dat be the one. The screw should go through the shock mount. No need for the other side. It pulls the spring up, break the BJ's and drop the lower a-arm. Run the screw down and release the spring.

Thanks

[4lug39]

All the parts are not shown it the pic. It should also have a piece like this to slide under the lower part of the spring and compress them together. It has saved my a$$ more than once. I have seen what a cheap one can do and it was not pretty. This one still has a pucker factor of about 4.

James

[nyjets53]

What would you guys recomned for a big 70 caddy spring...

[IanF]

Anyone know what the deal is with this one?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12166&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Seems like the other piece is missing or it's supposed to screw into something. It's genuine SO, though, with the genuine SO price.

Although I don't disagree with 4lug39, I wonder if this compressor is meant to be used in situations where getting both clamps in the spring isn't possible. With this one, remove the shock, thread the compressor into the upper shock mount, then compress the spring, remove the LCA, then release the spring.

This would have been useful when I removed the springs in our 1800 when we had the engine out and the front cross-member removed...

Of course, with the engine in he car, the old floor-jack under the LCA method is a heck of a lot faster, but we'd never recommend that method, now would we... ;)