ATD tools

[tp-otus]

Does anyone know if ATD tools are made here in the USA and do they hold up well. Reason for the question is i'm interested in their ATD-7563 clam type spring compressor for the small spring's that are on the miata . I'm not to keen on the two threaded rods with clamp's that attach to the coils. some call them suicide stick's. i know you could can be hurt the any type of spring compressor i just want to put the odd's a little better in my favor without spending the money for the wall unit's. I just not interested at my age to get hit with them because i heal slowly Thank's

 

[kartracer55]

I highly doubt it. IIRC, I have seen that stuff sold at swap-meets and such.

Go to thier website and look at thier list of manufacturers...

astro-pneumatic, allied tool, V8 tools, etc. Import stuff

Cant say for sure but you would think they would advertise if it was. Check out OTC, most of the little stuff like specialized sockets is made overseas but thier larger pullers and equipment are made here

Jim

 

[AndrewM]

I think ATD is a rebrander, not really making their own tools, but just have them built by different companies.

I recently went through the strut spring compressor search.

Harbor Freight has one that (I think) looks like that ATD unit. Of course I would NEVER trust a HF tool on something like a spring. It's also only about $40. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43753

OTC has one that looks like that ATD tool as well... the OTC6494. Check it out at http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc6494.html

I ended up saying screw it, zipped across town and just bought the $50 strut compressor suicide sticks from Sears. They actually worked pretty darn well. They're much better made than the $10-$30 units made from cheap steel. I used them on my Camaro... pulling the stock springs off and sticking on a pair of Eibachs. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

 

[tp-otus]

Thank's for the reply to my question's. so atd is off my list. Checked out the OTC compressor, look's good. I thought about the sear's unit. I'm worried about the spring bowing and causing a problem. Maybe i'm just paranoid. Heard of the clam type being a little large for the miata springs. Do you guy's have any suggestions. Again thank's for taking your time to answer me

 

[kartracer55]

I am told the clam type are dangerous as well, but I dont know comparedto the "suicide sticks" lol. OTC usually makes a good product, or at least everything that I have seem.

jim

 

[Rrumbler]

I think there is some inherent danger in just about any means of spring compression, so extra safety steps are always worth considering. Go ahead and use a good quality "suicide stick" to do the squeeze, but before you open up the spring pocket, put a loop of quality link chain around the coil stack on both sides right next to the compression tool. Take as much slack out of the chain as you can, and use a grade eight bolt and nut, and a couple of washers to fasten the chain. This way, if the compression tool should slip or let go some other way, the chain will keep the spring from flying out of control. Make the chain long enough that you can slack it off a couple of links at a time as you "uncompress" the spring, too. I have seen springs in industrial equipment come un-done a few times, but always with a chain retainer, so no harm was done.

 

[iiibdsiil]

We used the suicide sticks on my buddies RSX when we put the lowering springs in, and again on my dad's Buick when he replaced his shocks. No problems here. We used an impact gun though to speed up the process, as there are only about 14 million threads on them. Gear wrench and air ratchet were used when we needed a little more control.

Something to consider, when we put the springs back in the RSX, they were lowering springs, and were shorter, so my buddy just pushed on them while I put the top together on the coil-over. When we changed the shocks, he just held the plate down while I hit it with the impact gun.

 

[tp-otus]

I like the chain idea for safety. I will have to check to see if there's room between the shock and the spring. Yes I heard of some people just putting pressure on the coil before they release the nut. The stock miata's are not stiffly sprung like other car's. When I get them out of the car I will back the main nut out to the end of the thread's and check first to see what kind of pressure i'm dealing with before I make my next move. Thank's everyone.