Coil Spring Compressor

[glenmore]

This Snap-On looks pretty beefy:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/tls/2196120338.html

There are the flimsy looking $20 ones on ebay but Snap-On carries the same ones for $65. The list on the beefy one is $219.

Working around that spring is nerve racking.

Is that a good price for one?

 

[redvalkyrie]

I'm not sure why everybody gets to nervous about working on coil springs. I've used a set of no name compressors for about ten years with no problems. You always have to be safe--watch you fingers, aim the top away from you, etc, but really, there isn't much to be scared of...

 

[LocoCoco]

I too have always used a cheap one with good results. However, if you're a mechanic who compresses springs all the time I'm sure it's a wise investment to get a good one. But for most people it's a seldom used tool.



LC.

 

[LocoCoco]

...You always have to be safe--watch you fingers, aim the top away from you, etc, but really, there isn't much to be scared of...

I do the same. And once the compressed spring is out I like to put on the other side of the garage away from people and pets. I'm really not sure how much damage a loose spring can do, so I like to just stay on the safe side as a just-in-case.



LC.

 

[bagsanthony]

the thing that makes people so afraid is the amount of potential energy in those springs.... seeing as though each spring supports 1/4th the weight of the car, and hooke's law is given by Force=spring stiffness*displacement, those springs are damn stiff and can cause some serious damage!!! but all that theory **** aside, yeah just aim them in a safe direction and nothing will happen to u or ur nuts for that matter

 

[csmitty]

I've been trying to find one of those jaw type compressors. where its all one piece with a pivot out away from the spring and the compressing screw inbetween that and the coil spring. i work on some big coils with my jeep and lowering the axle down all the way mostly works, but a compressor would make things alot faster.

anyone know the kind i'm talking about?

 

[bungy42]

I've been trying to find one of those jaw type compressors. where its all one piece with a pivot out away from the spring and the compressing screw inbetween that and the coil spring. i work on some big coils with my jeep and lowering the axle down all the way mostly works, but a compressor would make things alot faster.

anyone know the kind i'm talking about?

Yes, you're talking about this kind:

http://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html

I've used one before. It's nice, but kind of bulky. As a result it may not work on smaller cars with tight spaces.

 

[scott37300]

I've been trying to find one of those jaw type compressors. where its all one piece with a pivot out away from the spring and the compressing screw inbetween that and the coil spring. i work on some big coils with my jeep and lowering the axle down all the way mostly works, but a compressor would make things alot faster.

anyone know the kind i'm talking about?

Clamshell

 

[allinon72]

I used the cheap ones from HF...bolt snapped off the top when I was using the impact on it. Chucked it into the yard because I thought it was going to let loose at any moment.

 

[marnav1]

I was removing coils on my old 70 Torino (351C) so I could change the upper A arm bushings and one leg of the tool let go................It hit the palm of my hand and it swelled up so much I couldn't use my hand for a week or so. I thought my hand was broken at first. I was using what looked like a good compressor too. Those springs were some STIFF bastards. You never know so be very careful.

 

[whatsitsname]

Actually I have one of them el cheapo ones snapped (the jaw snapped in half). Luckily the other side didn't fail. I had to get another one and carefully wind the uncompressed side back down.