Any Branick spring compressor experts?

[Ign]

I've got an MST-580A I picked up cheap. Apparently quite old by today's standards as Branick told me they don't have a single part for this nor the dimensions or specs of the bearing I need.

I purchased it with the upper bearing shot and didn't think getting a replacement would be a challenge.

Does anyone know the dims on the upper bearing for the MST-580A? If you have one and are willing to take it apart to measure I'll pay you for your time via PayPal (PM me)

I'm sure I could find something at a bearing house, but I'm not sure exactly what kind of bearing this is as mine seems to be pretty much non-existent (see pics)

For the work I do I'll only need this a few times a year so I'm fine with an "obsolete" model - still seems safer than the death sticks

 

[purplezr2]

Doesn't Mike have one of these,

Zmotorsports is his user name, maybe search his thread

Here is the post

And his thread

 

[Ign]

Doesn't Mike have one of these,

Zmotorsports is his user name, maybe search his thread

Here is the post

And his thread

Man, good memory and that cart he built is cool but he's got the 7600 which is newer than mine.

The tech guy at Branick did say the bearings for the newer models would not work for me, despite being unable to tell me exactly what I would need.

Thank you for posting just the same!

 

[sweetk30]

wish i could help but mine is a 7400 model .

when i got mine it was a dumpster find . put under 100 bucks in a new acme screw and threaded collar unit and bearing and she was back in action .

my buddy has a older unit if i get over there anytime soon i might be able to verify what model .

 

[sweetk30]

the 2 first options here is the style bearing that mine uses . maybe the same as yours just a different size for the shaft is all .

https://www.mcmaster.com/flat-bearings/ball-bearings/

 

[Ign]

the 2 first options here is the style bearing that mine uses . maybe the same as yours just a different size for the shaft is all .

https://www.mcmaster.com/flat-bearings/ball-bearings/

That actually at least gets me in a direction - THANK YOU! I figured I was looking for some sort of thrust or Torrington-esque bearing that could withstand compressive loads, but I wasn't sure.

 

[engineer2]

I'll check my Branick strut compressor model number later tonight . It looks a lot like yours.

 

[Steve_P]

Take it apart and measure the thickness, ID and OD. The OD and thickness may not be critical. Then off to McMaster or a local supplier for a thrust bearing. Awesome score BTW!

 

[Ign]

So I pulled it apart today. It needs a 1-3/4" ID. The old bearing was 2.5" OD and I measure max thickness above the snap ring at a weak 1/2"

I'm having some difficulty finding anything that'll fit that so I'm going to try a 51109. 45mm x 65mm x 14mm. It's the 14mm I think will be a problem so I may have to chuck up part of the Branick and get jiggy wit it...we'll see.

Product link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088H3DNQ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The snap ring is no joke, my Snappy SRPC9000's made me work for it

 

[engineer2]

I have the same model, but since you took it out and measured, you know what you need.
I wonder if their newer strut compressors use the same bearing.
vxb.com is another source for bearings.

 

[Ign]

I have the same model, but since you took it out and measured, you know what you need.
I wonder if their newer strut compressors use the same bearing.
vxb.com is another source for bearings.

Man, good memory and that cart he built is cool but he's got the 7600 which is newer than mine.

The tech guy at Branick did say the bearings for the newer models would not work for me, despite being unable to tell me exactly what I would need.
Thank you for posting just the same!

....

 

[engineer2]

Any numbers on the old bearing you took out? Seems to be an odd/uncommon size, or a type not made anymore. 95% of ball bearing are metric. It would be expensive if Branick used a custom bearing.

A little searching finds:
Branick 20-0043 Thrust Bearing Assembly with Race
Branick 107-097 Thrust Bearing is included with this assembly.
Thrust Ball Bearing 51109
Dimensions: 45mm x 65mm x 14mm
Repairs Models:
Branick Strut Compressor 7200
Branick Strut Compressor 7400
Branick Strut Compressor 7600

 

[Ign]

I looked for numbers but couldn't find any.

Interesting that the 51109 is for the later models and that's what I settled on without even knowing that -- so maybe it is the same for mine, but I still think the 14mm is too tall.

Thanks to COVID shipping delays, I'll know in a week, if I'm lucky

 

[Ign]

I got my new Chicom 51109's early. They are a bit too tall to fit

 

[Ign]

I yanked the acme thread, pulled the 3 rotating levers and chucked up the "nut". Turned the shoulder back .100" and it's perfect

 

[engineer2]

Looks Like I'll be PM'ing you if mine ever fails, LOL.

 

[Ign]

Used it for the first time to do rear struts on an '03 Subie Baja (not my vehicle). So, not exactly a challenge as springs on the rear of a little car aren't heavy duty but it worked fine and the bearing seems happy. Thus, I'm declaring the retrofit a success....

 

[ovilla]

Nice job! I have a 7400 and while it’s not used often, I’m always grateful that I have it. Makes it a true joy to work on struts. Where are you going to permanently mount it?

 

[engineer2]

Glad you got to try it out!
I just did struts on a Golf and the springs were so light I used my clamshell compressor instead of the Brannick. The Brannick is awkward to use unless it's mounted on something.

 

[Ign]

Nice job! I have a 7400 and while it’s not used often, I’m always grateful that I have it. Makes it a true joy to work on struts. Where are you going to permanently mount it?

Honestly I'll likely make a plate that bolts or clamps to my welding table, similar to as shown but slightly less hokey. Ashamed to say I hardly have any walls that are approachable enough to wall mount

But yeah, it made the job a joy. I can see where these older models are a little slower to set up but given that I'll likely use it once or twice a year it's not a big deal for me

 

[My427stang]

Hi newbie here, got referred to this site and will dig around but the posters on this thread seem most applicable.

I have a Branick MST580A strut compressor, wall mounted. My dad and I bought this when we started our combined shop in the late 80s. The original shop is long gone and am missing some parts to make it usable

If anyone has or knows of one, looking for dimensions and/or pictures of two removable parts that went missing after all of the chaos, and honestly looting, when he passed in 2010.

The two parts I have missing are: 1 of the sliding flat steel pieces with a pin that bolt to the top of the strut, the other is the stationary hook that slides into the back to support the bottom coil when setting it up

If someone has a junk one, would buy parts, but even if an operable one, if you'd be willing to measure and take pics of the lower fixed removable hook would get me where I need to be. I can copy my one flat piece, but I don't remember what the bottom hood looks like or the dimensions

FYI the newer 7000 series are different

Thanks, looking forward to digging around and helping where I can!

Ross Bullock
Bullock's Power Service, LLC

 

[Sumboodie]

Glad you got to try it out!
I just did struts on a Golf and the springs were so light I used my clamshell compressor instead of the Brannick. The Brannick is awkward to use unless it's mounted on something.

The ones on my Jetta, I just used my hands.