Coil-over shocks and spring compressors.

[Chucktin]

With 135k on our Toyota Tundra (2008) I'm contemplating new shocks. Don't think I need anything more than OEM replacements but it looks like I'll need spring compressors for the fronts cause they are coil-overs.
So just what am I getting myself into? Brother says he's heard stories of people getting hurt when these spring compressor fail. Something to be concerned about or not?
Doesn't look all that hard, a little care, truck up on jack stands and some common sense and should be golden, no?

 

[spasticone]

I just put yellow and blue bilsteins on my suburban and they are fantastic and reasonably priced.

cheapo compressors are not safe for that heavy style front spring. Just take them out and take them to a shop and have them swap springs for you. It won't be that much money compared to emergency room visits.

 

[Ad13]

They are safe depending on who is using them. Last time I used three rather than two just to be extra safe. It's easier if you have a third hand.

 

[danscobra6]

Check on the quickstruts, not expensive at all and you also get the top mounts that tend to rattle after time. Big time saver and no hardhat needed.

 

[spasticone]

Check on the quickstruts, not expensive at all and you also get the top mounts that tend to rattle after time. Big time saver and no hardhat needed.

Good advice.

My buddy almost died when a set of OTC crappy compressors broke and a front vw spring hit him in the forehead.

I change struts/spring regularly at work with a real compressor and it can even get hairy

 

[Harrison2]

a good compressor is big money for a weekend warrior. like said take them to a shop or a buddy at a shop. the cost isnt worth the risk. the compressor we have at our shop is hella sketchy and that thing is supposed to be top of the line. I personally prefer the ones you can put in a vise and wind the jaws down unlike the wall mounted variants.

 

[ADSR]

I bought this for 200. Works great!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4874584&postcount=1

 

[The Toolest Guy]

If you believe spring compressors are not safe, because you can get hurt when they fail. Then you probably shouldn't use chassis stands either..... Both can slip, releasing a huge force. Whether it is from a large mass, or stored energy in a spring.

They are relatively cheap, and they are easy to use. I use them often.
Changing the front coil over shocks on a Tundra (or 200 series Land Cruiser which we have here) should be very simple. I have done this on Land Cruiser 200s a number of times. Nothing special to know about doing it.

 

[Fedwrench]

for quick strut or something similar. Why? Because as you said the units have 135k miles on them. Springs, insulators, strut bearings (if equipped) the whole assemblies have 135K worth of wear on them and everything should be replaced.

 

[firworks]

As far as I understand it, there is a safe location to be in when using a spring compressor and as long as you aren't in line with the release of energy you should be OK if it fails for some raisin. I believe if you lay the strut and shock in front of you horizontally so you are perpendicular with it and you work in front of you rather than hovering over it there's a very small chance you would get struck if it failed. I just watched a video on it a few days ago because I was considering Getting some Koni shocks on my Jetta.

 

[The Toolest Guy]

Firworks, that is correct. The danger zones are at either end of the spring. In line with the way it is compressed.

 

[hancock1701]

I recently replaced the shocks on my Honda Accord. Got a pair of compressors on Amazon for about $30. I've heard about the risks of using these, and didn't know about Monroe QuickStruts until later.

Anyway, I used them. They were fine, the threaded rod was solid and did not flex at all. I also spent a lot of time trying to place them so that they stay vertical the entire time. And I compressed the spring slowly by hand, a little at a time on either side. I only used the impact to release when I had the top and the nut back on.

The whole process was good. Not the safest, but I checked the rigidity of the whole thing as I slowly compress it, and it felt good to me.

 

[1950mercury]

Quick struts are a no brainer

 

[ADSR]

Quick struts are a no brainer

Is there extra costs this way?

 

[6MocoA]

Is there extra costs this way?

Yes, 'quickstruts' are much more expensive and tend to be from ****** brands like Monroe.

 

[6MocoA]

Good advice.

My buddy almost died when a set of OTC crappy compressors broke and a front vw spring hit him in the forehead.

I change struts/spring regularly at work with a real compressor and it can even get hairy

a good compressor is big money for a weekend warrior. like said take them to a shop or a buddy at a shop. the cost isnt worth the risk. the compressor we have at our shop is hella sketchy and that thing is supposed to be top of the line. I personally prefer the ones you can put in a vise and wind the jaws down unlike the wall mounted variants.

Ridiculous stuff. Spring compressors are perfectly safe if used with any sort of common sense.

Like anything, if you are an absolute *****, the chance for injury or death skyrockets, but if you use the tool in a reasonable, safe, and proper manner it is perfectly safe.

 

[ADSR]

Yes, 'quickstruts' are much more expensive and tend to be from ****** brands like Monroe.

Thanks. I knew there was a catch. My 200 buck changer is awesome.

 

[bcschief]

You can also use Autozones loaner tool program and not have to buy a tool you might only use once. The deal is you pay for the tool and when your done with it you return it in good condition and get your money back.

Brian

 

[theoldwizard1]

Check around. Many auto parts store will mount the old spring on the new struts. Worth the cost.

 

[twertsy]

I used regular compressors when changing the perch adjustment on my F150 Raptor without any problem. I used three. You simply need to pay attention and ensure they're not twisting, remain fully engaged on both ends, and are tightened/loosened consistently with each other.

 

[spasticone]

You're right. I'm wrong about my own experiences with cheap two piece kits. My friend doesn't really have a huge scar at his hair line from one breaking.

Sorry for the words of caution. We only charge 30 bucks to change a set of springs for a walk in. I do them for someone at least once a month. Good luck op.

 

[twertsy]

Not saying you're wrong ******* (don't go ). Just saying that if you're going to use them, be diligent.

 

[spasticone]

Not saying you're wrong ******* (don't go ). Just saying that if you're going to use them, be diligent.

Never thought you did. I'm just trying to look out for the weekend warrior changing heavier truck springs. They pack a lot of power.

We have had the ford truck spring spin up out of the wall mount system we use at work a few times. The smaller diameter and heavier coils are sometimes tricky to grab even with a top of the line setup.

 

[The Toolest Guy]

You're right. I'm wrong about my own experiences with cheap two piece kits. My friend doesn't really have a huge scar at his hair line from one breaking.

Sorry for the words of caution. We only charge 30 bucks to change a set of springs for a walk in. I do them for someone at least once a month. Good luck op.

From your logic. We could conclude that chassis stands and vehicle lifts are not safe and should not be used either. Just ask all the families of people who have died from falling vehicles............... Right?

 

[twertsy]

Never thought you did. I'm just trying to look out for the weekend warrior changing heavier truck springs. They pack a lot of power.

We have had the ford truck spring spin up out of the wall mount system we use at work a few times. The smaller diameter and heavier coils are sometimes tricky to grab even with a top of the line setup.

I'm not going to say I wasn't flinching with every little squeak.........'cuz I was!

 

[spasticone]

From your logic. We could conclude that chassis stands and vehicle lifts are not safe and should not be used either. Just ask all the families of people who have died from falling vehicles............... Right?

You're right dude. I'm wrong. Not interested in arguing.

I have seen a nissan truck smash a Matco tool cart after falling off a lift while the tech was at the front of his bay at his box getting a wrench. Accidents happen.... Maybe only to people I know. I have been in a garage my whole life and was at 200 shops a week for 3 years. I saw a few things. My bad for sharing.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

For extra protection, I usually have large, strong zip ties around that I use to keep the spring compressed. Those can easily be cut off once everything is in place.

 

[Lx460]

Ridiculous stuff. Spring compressors are perfectly safe if used with any sort of common sense.

Like anything, if you are an absolute *****, the chance for injury or death skyrockets, but if you use the tool in a reasonable, safe, and proper manner it is perfectly safe.

Thank God Dodge Dakotas don't have struts because I'm fairly certain there would be a certain member of this forum that wouldn't live to complete the task of changing them.

 

[Fcvapor05]

You're right. I'm wrong about my own experiences with cheap two piece kits. My friend doesn't really have a huge scar at his hair line from one breaking.

Sorry for the words of caution. We only charge 30 bucks to change a set of springs for a walk in. I do them for someone at least once a month. Good luck op.

Don't take this the wrong way but... Don't put your forehead in front of the spring and this won't happen.

 

[spasticone]

Lol... Many times an accident happens with suicide stick style compressors, the spring kicks out the side. This is crazy that I'm getting this much flack for cautioning someone about a known dangerous tool. I guess that's why I lurked here for so long and didn't bother posting.

 

[MotoDave]

I've used this spring compressor to change out the shocks on my '12 Tundra:
http://www.sears.com/spring-compressor-kit/p-00929898000P

I went with Bilstein 5100, pretty happy with them so far. Gives you the option of lifting the front a few inches to level the truck if you want.

I agree with what was said earlier, the rubber isolator (top hat) is also worn out at 135k. Spring should be fine.

 

[t1r2u3s4t]

I have the same ones from Sears. Did the front and back struts for my outback just fine. Obviously picking the places on the spring to install the compressors is key here.

I've used this spring compressor to change out the shocks on my '12 Tundra:
http://www.sears.com/spring-compressor-kit/p-00929898000P

I went with Bilstein 5100, pretty happy with them so far. Gives you the option of lifting the front a few inches to level the truck if you want.

I agree with what was said earlier, the rubber isolator (top hat) is also worn out at 135k. Spring should be fine.

 

[dclassical]

I used this one with success, though I was nervous and very careful:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRHU6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But whenever I can I order the complete assembly. Saves me a lot of time as well.

 

[jfcasey]

Unless you're lifting it or looking for a performance upgrade I wouldn't be too concerned with those struts if they aren't leaking. Those 07+ tundra struts seem to last forever. I don't think I've ever seen one blown and I've seem them with 300k+miles on it.

I would not mess with the cheapo tools on struts. Even in the shop doing truck struts with high end compressors there's still a huge **** pucker factor.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Lol... Many times an accident happens with suicide stick style compressors, the spring kicks out the side. This is crazy that I'm getting this much flack for cautioning someone about a known dangerous tool. I guess that's why I lurked here for so long and didn't bother posting.

Well I'm definitely not advocating everyone go out and buy a spring compressor/widowmaker.

I've never heard of anyone suffering a head injury during a strut job until now. I also refuse to use them. I'm not at all concerned about getting hit in the head with anything- I just don't enjoy the idea of having my hands in line with that much stored energy, and using a cheapo spring compressor to get the strut hat off basically ensures that your hands are on or near the spring during the most dangerous parts of the work. No thanks.

 

[ADSR]

The one i posted a page back is pretty safe. here it is on youtube being used.

I get on the backside while using mine....

 

[kazlx]

Done multiple Tundras with these:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUW7XE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They work perfectly fine. You don't need to crank them down, you just need to tighten enough to release the tension on the shaft nut, which isn't much. It's not rocket surgery.

 

[notlob]

+1 on the bilstein 5100s. Changed out all 4 shocks on my 2006 4runner and the ride/handling is terrific. Be cautious and go slow when using the spring compressor and you should be fine. BTW - I have found that using 3, rather than 2 of the 'stick' style compressors reduces the pucker factor considerably.

 

[firworks]

Done multiple Tundras with these:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUW7XE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They work perfectly fine. You don't need to crank them down, you just need to tighten enough to release the tension on the shaft nut, which isn't much. It's not rocket surgery.

Yeah those ones have the locking pins that hold the spring in the compressor. With those I really wouldn't be too worried about attempting the job as a weekend warrior.

Think about what goes on around the world from people who have no fear and no access to even a cheapo strut compressor! I bet there are people who just release the shaft nut while looking away and wait for the spring to land in a nearby field. How do they compress it? C-clamps? Chanellocks? The imagination could run wild.

 

[short4stuff]

type spring compressor fail on google. some interesting results in the picture section