Coil Spring compressor and a Strut comrpressor

[Hiball]

Im looking for a Quality Spring compressor/Strut compressor, I have some work i would like to do myself, Adding a Leveling kit to my Ford truck and Change out a strut on my work car. My question is are these 2 different tools? Or can it be accomplished with the same tool? Ive heard horror stories about Cheap compressors slipping, breaking and causing bodily harm so im wanting to stay away from the $19.99 tool but then again im not gonna use it all that often so im not wanting to spend $300 bucks. Any ideas on proven brands, Links etc. All help is apreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[70CopperZ28]

I am also leveling my Silverado, with the Bilstein 5100 shocks. OTC has a coil spring compressor for around $100 and Craftsman has one for $50. I have decided to take mine to a shop since I think it's to dangerous not using a $300 strut compressor. Plus the shop quoted me $180 which is worth not getting knocked in the head.

Here is a link from a GM trucks web site that should apply to your F150.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=98315&hl=bilstein

Good luck!

 

[kiall1987]

For professional use I would go down the route of klann , very expensive though very well built , safe and alot of stuff is just genius

 

[bmwpower]

I would not be hesitant to use a "cheaper" spring compressor. Just be safe about it. Slow and easy.

I have this one:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Import, yes, but has worked for me many times. Save money...do it yourself!

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I would not be hesitant to use a "cheaper" spring compressor. Just be safe about it. Slow and easy.

I have this one:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Import, yes, but has worked for me many times. Save money...do it yourself!

+1 I own that one too. I am really happy with it.

 

[Skyline]

I would not be hesitant to use a "cheaper" spring compressor. Just be safe about it. Slow and easy.

I have this one:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Import, yes, but has worked for me many times. Save money...do it yourself!

I have one of those as well. While I've used it more than a dozen times without a hitch, I cross my finger each time. Springs can be pretty scary.

Snap-on used to make a contraption that looks like it was a relative of a scissors jack. I've seen a couple on eBay...I don't think they are made anymore. Seemed like a good design. It looked like it could be used on car, or off (for a strut). I have no personal experience with these, it was just a tool that looked good to me, and not crazy expensive like some of the wall mounted units, (and those obviously are only good for struts).

 

[Hiball]

Thanks for all the links and info fellas, Im definitely gonna tackle this myself. I refuse to pay someone 200 bucks plus the leveling kit to install a spacer on my front end, Its really just principle and its justification to continue to buy tools. Lol Thanks again...

 

[traction]

I have this one....I have seen the cheap ones let loose....scary.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/488008/otc_6494_clamshell_strut_spring_compressor

 

[bmwpower]

If you get the one like I have, make sure you use ALL the hardware they give you. I wouldn't be surprised if the ones people are talking about that let loose did not have the hardware mine does. It secures the spring compressor to the spring. The only way it's going to let loose is if you fail to follow the instructions or the spring breaks.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

Does anyone have any experience with this type of spring compressor?


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43753

I have a one similar to the Snap On one, but this type looks much more secure and easier to use.

 

[Hiball]

I think im gonna go with this set here:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=80246&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

It has the both the strut compressor and the Coil compressor, First time in my life that ive seen Snap on combo 2 Individual tools for less than you can buy bot sets individually.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Does anyone have any experience with this type of spring compressor?


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43753

I have a one similar to the Snap On one, but this type looks much more secure and easier to use.

I bought that one, and will be using it on the wife's Dodge Caravan, though I have not gotten around to actually putting it to work yet. I think it will work just fine though.

 

[Merkava_4]

ATD 3054

http://www.etoolcart.com/macphersonstrutspringcompressoratd-3054.aspx

 

[ATTappman]

I think im gonna go with this set here:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=80246&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

It has the both the strut compressor and the Coil compressor, First time in my life that ive seen Snap on combo 2 Individual tools for less than you can buy bot sets individually.

I wonder if that Snap on set isn't the same as this ATD set? Note that the description on the ATD says something about not working on some Fords.

Snap on:

ATD:

 

[bmwpower]

Uhh, looks to be the same to me.

 

[Merkava_4]

ATD 7550

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/atd-7550.html

 

[JayL]

The Blue Point one list the COO as USA. I wonder where the ATD version is made.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1634&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/atd-7550.html

None the less is this tool design a good one? ( Jap cars / suv applications )

 

[scott37300]

Thought a hydralic guy might like this pneumatic one!

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[JayL]

What are these accessories for ? ( The ones marked in red )

Thanks

 

[mtkst19]

those fold open and will grab a spring from the inside. used on a live coil--aka not a spring on a shock/strut.

when folded out--one on top one on bottom. use the screw to compress the spring and take out of the car.

mostly see it used on older cars. i actually need to buy this style for my w108 benz. this beats unbolting the control arm and taking it apart that way.

 

[handyvorb]

This is the style of our factory spring compressors. I've never seen a spring slip using one of these, which leads me to believe they are the safest compressors.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Spring_Compressor/ES2093755/

This thing is priced very nice considering our factory compressor is ~$900 for the same components.

 

[blue dog]

Coil spring compressor scare me.

 

[handyvorb]

Coil spring compressor scare me.

As they should. There is a tremendous amount of force being stored when a spring is compressed, which can and has caused serious damage/injury when improperly used.

 

[mtkst19]

Coil spring compressor scare me.

me too. seen a jaguar spring let loose when i 1st started on cars. flew out of the wheel well, across two bays of the garage and hit a 55 gallon drum that was used for a garbage can. dented/folded the can in half.

guy working on the jag tried removing the lower spring perch that held the spring. was also a young guy and didn't realize the tension on it.luckily no one was killed or hurt. lesson learned that day.

ever since then i will chain them before removing so if it lets loose cant go anywhere. i also picked up a older GP spring compressor that looks like the one posted above. two styles of it--one is air operated, other is manual. just too bulky to use in tight confines to where the threaded bolt one would work better.

 

[AutoTech]

ATD 3054

http://www.etoolcart.com/macphersonstrutspringcompressoratd-3054.aspx

I have a set looks like those made by KD rebadged as Craftsman I use a lot and never had a problem with them.

 

[jamesemery728]

I have used this one from Lisle a few times and it works really well. The U-bolts lock securely on the spring and there is no way for them to slip off. Can be had from many suppliers for $50 - $60.

 

[homesale]

Will the Lisle Strut comrpressor fit on the tightly wound coil springs of Hondas and Acuras?

 

[jamesemery728]

Will the Lisle Strut comrpressor fit on the tightly wound coil springs of Hondas and Acuras?

You would have to check that out, I don't know the answer. I used it on GM Buicks and it worked great. The U-bolts lock on the coils with nuts that are tightened and there is no way for them to slip off. Can you mic the diameter of the coil or measure the distance of the winding clearance and see if it fits? Maybe you could get Lisle's email or phone number off the web and give them a call to ask the question.

 

[Bull]

I didn't realize how many variations on this tool there are. Last night, I was looking at one made by OTC that has a series of plates on a threaded shaft that compress the spring. In the past, the few times I needed one, I used the type that fit up inside the spring and have hooks that grab the coils. I never felt totally safe, even with the spring chained. Just a tense experience.

If this Trans Am I am getting needs springs, and it probably will because it sits too high, then I will need to see which of the designs shown above will work on the older American cars.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Years ago, I used to take them out, and put them in, with a prybar. I think my guardian angels were working overtime..After doing a few sets, I found out there was a tool for it..

 

[bmwpower]

This is the style of our factory spring compressors. I've never seen a spring slip using one of these, which leads me to believe they are the safest compressors.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Spring_Compressor/ES2093755/

This thing is priced very nice considering our factory compressor is ~$900 for the same components.

Grease/anti seize is vital for these things. How do you grease that puppy?

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Here's mine:

It's a Branick that came out of a closed Goodyear store.

 

[Bull]

Dave, what is that mounted to? You must feel pretty close to 100% safe with that thing.

You don't have any older cars with the spring separate from the shock that you need to deal with?

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

It's mounted to a solid 6x6 post that is sunk into the ground about 4' and supports my deck above. I have two studs screwed into the post and when I need to use it, it just gets carried outside, hung on the studs and bolted down. It catches the spring at 3 points at the bottom and is adjusted to set the strut up vertical to the world and the the acme crew is tightened down on it. It is also VERY safe.

Mine is the older version of this unit:

http://www.powertoolsonline.net/branickstrutspringcompressor-wallmount.aspx

The only older style springs that I have can be taken care of with a regular strut compressor and a floor jack without a lot of trouble.

 

[mtkst19]

i have a wall mount brannick as well. yet it is air over hydraulic unit. came out of a closing dealership. i need to take pictures of my spring compressors. they are pretty neat.

the other version i have is intended for both live coils like old domestics/imports as well as for coilover shocks. i had it compress a jag spring-- they are pretty damn beefy. guy i got it from used it to do springs on his big block car.

tomorrow ill try to get pictures.

 

[impulse922]

ive used the cheapie harbor frieght ones and it was scary stuff.


I would however suggest renting the ones they have at autozone, i had great results with those, and it was a free rental.

 

[stricht8]

I need to do a front end rebuild on my 82 Mercedes 240D. I splurged and bought the Klann spring compressor. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the use of this thing? I've never used such a tool before.

 

[scylla]

I need to do a front end rebuild on my 82 Mercedes 240D. I splurged and bought the Klann spring compressor. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the use of this thing? I've never used such a tool before.

Give this a try. I don't know if that's your model, but it should give you an idea.


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3614495583838776006

 

[kblazer87]

I am going to an auction tomorrow that has a wall mounted strut compressor listed as one of the tools. I am looking for a good one for my own use as well. I will post up tomorrow night if I get it.
It is this brand and style:
View media item 12605

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

kblazer87,

That is a Brannick similar to mine shown above. The one I have is an older model but it is a lot safer than most of them out there. If you can get a good deal at the auction, you will be covered for life when it comes to struts.