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Coil spring compressor

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theoldwizard1

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My daughter need new struts on her 2019 Ford Expedition. Yes, those are MASSIVE COIL SPRINGS on those struts ! Shop want $40/strut to swap them over ($160).

Are there any coil spring compressors for a DIYer than can handle big coil springs without putting your life in danger ?
 
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Steve_P

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IMO, no, unless a Brannick meets your definition of a DIY tool. $40 a strut is a bargain once they're off the car.

None of the budget compressors meet my definition of safe; plenty of people use them, but I won't. I worked with a guy that was using a couple of the HF stud style external compressors on an old Mustang's front coil, the spring flew out, hit him in the face, and he woke up at some point in a pool of blood on the garage floor. Those coils are a fraction of the spring rate as many modern vehicles use with struts.

I'd love to have a Brannick, this is what I call safe, but I can't make the math work to use it once every few years. But this is what I see in all of the shops I've been in.
 
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pbon

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I have done springs on a bunch of cars over the years and never enjoyed it much. Have used the bars with hooks style tool and the jaw style tool. Rarely feel entirely comfortable, but have had only 1 spring get away and luckily my head was not in the way and it had a good area to travel into with no ricochet.

The Brannick and OTC Strut Tamer are the gold standard, but the bars with hooks get the job done for a fraction of the price. There are a variety of bars either hooks styles and some are better and safer than others.
 
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cgrutt

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I bought the Schwaben set from ECS but it cost more than they're charging you. I've used it on three different cars so far so breakeven is a matter of time. It works OK but I feel safe using it. Had a bit of trouble removing the "plates" (not sure what they're called) after new strut is assembled because it gets caught between the partially compressed spring once you put strut together. Was able to safely disassemble though. Overall I'd give it an 8/10.
 
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signcrafter

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Steve_P said:
IMO, no, unless a Brannick meets your definition of a DIY tool. $40 a strut is a bargain once they're off the car.

None of the budget compressors meet my definition of safe; plenty of people use them, but I won't. I worked with a guy that was using a couple of the HF stud style external compressors on an old Mustang's front coil, the spring flew out, hit him in the face, and he woke up at some point in a pool of blood on the garage floor. Those coils are a fraction of the spring rate as many modern vehicles use with struts.

I'd love to have a Brannick, this is what I call safe, but I can't make the math work to use it once every few years. But this is what I see in all of the shops I've been in.
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Keep a look out on marketplace. I've been watching for a while and just got a branick for 200 bucks. I posted a link above for 2 in the OPs location, a branick for 500 and a otc for 200. If I was him I would go pick up that otc and not mess with any of the other not safe options.
 
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pbon

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I sometimes do coilovers that are 2.375 or 2.5” and none of those big brands go below 3.5” diameter. I’d spend the money.
 
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kaymccampbell

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theoldwizard1 said:
My daughter need new struts on her 2019 Ford Expedition. Yes, those are MASSIVE COIL SPRINGS on those struts ! Shop want $40/strut to swap them over ($160).

Are there any coil spring compressors for a DIYer than can handle big coil springs without putting your life in danger ?
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$40 per is a gift. Take it. Unless you intend to do a lot of struts, AND learn to do them safely, let the shop take their chances.
 
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Steve_P

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pbon said:
I have done springs on a bunch of cars over the years and never enjoyed it much. Have used the bars with hooks style tool and the jaw style tool. Rarely feel entirely comfortable, but have had only 1 spring get away and luckily my head was not in the way and it had a good area to travel into with no ricochet.

The Brannick and OTC Strut Tamer are the gold standard, but the bars with hooks get the job done for a fraction of the price. There are a variety of bars either hooks styles and some are better and safer than others.
Click to expand...

Have you ever seen the front springs on a modern Tacoma 4WD? There is NO way I'd do those on anything but a Brannick. So I paid my alignment guy to do them and considered it a bargain.

I have no idea what the springs on an Expedition look like, but I'm guessing they make a Tacoma's look tame. And a Tacoma makes something like the springs on a Civic look like a toy.
 
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signcrafter

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Guess so. 200 dollars for a 1300 dollar OTC spring compressor would be my choice. Even if it sits in the corner and you only ever use it one more time it's more then paid for itself and can sell it whenever. I like doing things myself and like tools so to me it's worth it.
 
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kbeefy

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After using the wall mounted ones I only do small stuff (like atvs) with the portable ones anymore.

I sold mine when I sold my shop, but a friend who lives nearby recently got a Branik or Strut Tamer at an estate sale cheap.
I'll be borrowing his until I find my own.
 
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signcrafter

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theoldwizard1 said:
You and I have a different opinion on DIYer affordable tools !

$160 seems like the safe bet !
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theoldwizard1 said:
With most loaners, you are taking your life in your hands !
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dnschmidt said:
The oldwizzard always tries to get off cheap, which is some cases is completely possible. Doing struts isn't one of those cases. LIfe is too short to lose fingers or worse trying to save a buck. $160 is a bargain, pay up and live long and prosper.
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I don't understand what he was looking for. I looked on marketplace and searched 100 mile radius from Detroit since he lists SE Michigan as location and linked a nice strut tamer for 200 bucks. He said that wasn't affordable tool, yet it's only 40 bucks more then taking it to a shop. But says the only option you can find for less then 200 is "taking your life in your hands!" Guess he was looking for a branick for 40 bucks.
 
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Crashlandy

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I bought the compressors made by Lisle. $80.00. Great quality. Captures the spring with U-bolts. Felt safe doing Nissan Frontier struts.
 
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whateg01

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Crashlandy said:
I bought the compressors made by Lisle. $80.00. Great quality. Captures the spring with U-bolts. Felt safe doing Nissan Frontier struts.
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Dunno if it's the same as the others I've seen and or tried but bigger springs don't sit down far enough for the locking pin to close. Bigger in my case was 09 f150.
 
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bwringer

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Yup, pay the shop. That's cheep.

I've used the DIY tools to changed many a spring on wee lil' grocery-getters, and somehow survived, but it is never a comfortable experience and the situation is always ripe with danger.

I'd never, ever try this on something as massive as an Expedition.

Honestly, I just install complete struts (if they're available) so that everything (bearing, spring seats, bump stops, etc.) is fresh and I don't have to take the risk.


If a Branick was in the $250 ballpark, I might consider buying one in your situation. But at somewhere around or north of a grand, no way.
 
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Hohn

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theoldwizard1 said:
My daughter need new struts on her 2019 Ford Expedition. Yes, those are MASSIVE COIL SPRINGS on those struts ! Shop want $40/strut to swap them over ($160).

Are there any coil spring compressors for a DIYer than can handle big coil springs without putting your life in danger ?
Click to expand...
I think you need to correct your mindset. Your life is in danger when you handle coil springs. Period. Stored energy is a hazard-- batteries, capacitors, springs, gas bottles, air tanks, it doesn't matter.

I have carefully and successfully used the Maddox spring compressor from HF for coil springs on my van (strut) and my IS250 (also strut). At no point did I feel like I was unable to manage the risk of compressing the springs and safely removing them from the strut. But the wire sizes all fell comfortably within the tool's limits.


The skill and care of the user is critical here-- no tool can prevent harm from abuse or carelessness. The HF tool is sufficient and cheap enough that I can own one. The ownership part is critical because it means I always know the tool was correctly used and stored and can verify its condition. You can do none of those things for a borrowed parts store tool.

I'm happy that the Maddox tool works and allows me to manage the hazards inherent to the task.
 
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merkyworks

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@Hohn great point on owning the tool Vs renting the tool. While the Maddox tool is to small for the OP application, anyone needing a Maddox size tool and debating buying Vs renting. Just buy the tool, its on sale for $23 so zero excusses.

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Crashlandy

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whateg01 said:
Dunno if it's the same as the others I've seen and or tried but bigger springs don't sit down far enough for the locking pin to close. Bigger in my case was 09 f150.
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As long as the U Bolt will capture the spring diameter, you're golden.
 
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dscheidt

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cgrutt

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FWIW I have a pair of similar style as Maddox ($23 above) but another brand and was very uncomfortable using that style, which is why I purchased the Schwaben set. Believe that style are referred to as widow makers for good reason. Personally I'd avoid using them, new or otherwise.
 
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theoldwizard1

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signcrafter said:
I don't understand what he was looking for. I looked on marketplace and searched 100 mile radius from Detroit since he lists SE Michigan as location and linked a nice strut tamer for 200 bucks. He said that wasn't affordable tool, yet it's only 40 bucks more then taking it to a shop. But says the only option you can find for less then 200 is "taking your life in your hands!" Guess he was looking for a branick for 40 bucks.
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Okay, yes, I am FRUGAL (or as you say "cheap") ! Especially, since it is likely to be YEARS before I (or my likely son) uses this tool again.

I just wanted to know if there is a spring compressor for under $100 that is worth buying, especially for HD springs ! The answer is clearly NO !
 
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zmotorsports

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theoldwizard1 said:
My daughter need new struts on her 2019 Ford Expedition. Yes, those are MASSIVE COIL SPRINGS on those struts ! Shop want $40/strut to swap them over ($160).

Are there any coil spring compressors for a DIYer than can handle big coil springs without putting your life in danger ?
Click to expand...

I have had several of the various designs over the years but all made me extremely anxious and nervous, especially when my son was around. Several years ago I bit the bullet and bought the Branick 7600 model and love it. Nothing else compares in my opinion.

That being said, I routinely swap out struts for people when they wish to replace them on their own and I just charge by the hour, normal shop rates, and they seem to be more than satisfied with paying that vs. the high cost of the tool for minimal use.
 
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ronr80

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ontario
careful springs have a ton of energy , I ended up buying a MOOG spring compressor , works excellent .

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NHtoolguy

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cgrutt said:
I bought the Schwaben set from ECS but it cost more than they're charging you. I've used it on three different cars so far so breakeven is a matter of time. It works OK but I feel safe using it. Had a bit of trouble removing the "plates" (not sure what they're called) after new strut is assembled because it gets caught between the partially compressed spring once you put strut together. Was able to safely disassemble though. Overall I'd give it an 8/10.
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I have the Schwaben set from ECS too, and feel it's a big upgrade from my older DIY strut tools. It seems to offer adequate strength and control. But, it will take multiple strut replacements to break even on the price.
 
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NHtoolguy

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merkyworks said:
@Hohn great point on owning the tool Vs renting the tool. While the Maddox tool is to small for the OP application, anyone needing a Maddox size tool and debating buying Vs renting. Just buy the tool, its on sale for $23 so zero excusses.

1754062631069.png
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I have a similar style of strut compressor from my less affluent days, and it's adequate although not confidence inspiring. I actually bought a second set, since it seemed some springs needed a third threaded rod to evenly compress. You do need to wrap the spring coils with electrical tape or similar material if they're plastic coated, to protect them from damage.
 
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