Eastwood Strut Coil Spring Compressor

[pelletman]

Anyone have any input on this? It looks nice to me. I am doing springs on a Honda Pilot and they seem a bit big for both OTC clamshell and rental Advance Auto screw sticks. I am thinking either these or a used Brannick for 3X the price. I don't do them that often, maybe 3 to 5 times a year.

https://www.eastwood.com/fairmount-tools-interchangeable-macpherson-strut-compressor.html

 

[pelletman]

This one looks interesting too

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078MV7CQT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[drtyler]

The Eastwood/Fairmount tool doesn't look bad, based on the website and video link. Might be worth a try since it will work with the larger springs for your Pilot.

If your current spring compressor won't work for this job, another option is to pull the strut assembly and take them to a shop to swap the springs & strut cartridges. Pep Boys near me charges $20 per strut to do this.

If you are looking for used pro grade, the OTC Strut Tamer is better than the Brannick, imo.

 

[ovilla]

I have a Branick 7400 and have yet to find a strut I couldn’t easily swap out. Anyway they can be had for about $400-500 used on CL. That’s how I got mine. Also, not only does it make the job much safer but it’s also a LOT quicker too.

 

[ScottsGT]

I've got to do the wife's Pilot this spring. That Amazon unit has my attention.

 

[6PTsocket]

I bought the 3 clamp DIY set from Eastwood for my Ram 1500. It looks like the one from OEM. I haven't tried it yet but I might have gone for the extra bucks for the Fairmount. I like the single screw operation and easy set up in the video.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Makoto]

the wallmount ovilla posted is the only one i'd use other than these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071D4HQ2B/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I do not like the idea of not having at least 2 sides compressed. I don't trust myself to seat that monkey PERFECTLY. using this I did all the struts on my wife's escape in less than an hour.

 

[jgromada]

I have done a few strut jobs as a backyard DIY mechanic. That Eastwood tool looks pretty robust similar to what i have. It looks small enough that it could possibly be used on the car where removal of the strut body from the car is not necessary.

The larger strut tool might be better if you did a lot of these. For me it would be overkill and just something else that you need to find storage room for.

BTW as an additional point NEVER buy the Harbor Freight strut tools. Compressing a strut is potentially quite dangerous and i would never trust that tool https://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-63262.html

 

[Skin]

This one looks interesting too

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078MV7CQT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That looks really sketchy to me. You're trusting the universal fit of those cheap Chinese castings to hold the spring while you work. They also don't want you to stand in front of the unit (good recommendation btw) which seems a little unrealistic if you're changing struts. Whats your life worth?

The eastwood one seems a bit more safe, especially if used on the bench like they show.

 

[454ragtop]

Can you buy loaded struts? A lot of times for the price difference and you get all new parts, mounts, springs, etc., it's not worth it.

 

[maico]

Anyone have any input on this? It looks nice to me. I am doing springs on a Honda Pilot and they seem a bit big for both OTC clamshell and rental Advance Auto screw sticks. I am thinking either these or a used Brannick for 3X the price. I don't do them that often, maybe 3 to 5 times a year.

https://www.eastwood.com/fairmount-tools-interchangeable-macpherson-strut-compressor.html

Those Chinese compressors are sold under numerous brand names around the World.
I have one and it's a chunky tool that does work. I think it's a copy of the expensive German made Klann tool.

 

[pelletman]

I've got to do the wife's Pilot this spring. That Amazon unit has my attention.

If you are only doing one vehicle it would probably be much more cost effective to just buy the quick struts. Don't forget to add the price of the bearing/mounts too.

 

[pelletman]

Thanks for the input everyone! I am leaning towards a used Branick or OTC, whatever i can find the best deal on.

 

[ScottsGT]

If you are only doing one vehicle it would probably be much more cost effective to just buy the quick struts. Don't forget to add the price of the bearing/mounts too.

Looked. Couldn't find any that are brand name.

FWIW, stay away from that Amazon hydraulic unit. I was reading reviews on one that was a smaller size. It's not the cast iron parts that failed, but the square tubing around the main shaft that hold the cast iron pieces that peeled back like a banana under pressure.
I think I'm going to get the clam shell OTC unit.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

That looks really sketchy to me. You're trusting the universal fit of those cheap Chinese castings to hold the spring while you work. They also don't want you to stand in front of the unit (good recommendation btw) which seems a little unrealistic if you're changing struts. Whats your life worth?
.

My thoughts also.

 

[bsaint]

I have it from ebay as a different brand and it works awesome. If your springs break these, then you have different problems on your hands. They are really smooth for castings, they are probably drop formed.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Back in the 80's, I recall the GM Dealership I worked at receiving a new OTC strut compressor that had not been ordered by the Dealership.. The Information booklet that accompanied the new compressor stated that We were to immediately cut up Our old OTC compressor with a cutting torch.

I had used the old OTC unit countless times, without problems. What I am getting at is this older OTC would have made most of the Amazon and eBay stuff look like ****.. YET, OTC replaced the entire unit at their expense.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Looked. Couldn't find any that are brand name.

FWIW, stay away from that Amazon hydraulic unit. I was reading reviews on one that was a smaller size. It's not the cast iron parts that failed, but the square tubing around the main shaft that hold the cast iron pieces that peeled back like a banana under pressure.
I think I'm going to get the clam shell OTC unit.

That smaller hydraulic unit that is rated for 2000 pounds is scary to even look at.
The price difference between that one and the heavier units rated for 6000 or more pounds would be money wisely spent if buying a hydraulic unit.

If buying one, I would add some "Quality" safety chains for peace of mind.

 

[M_George]

I have done a few strut jobs as a backyard DIY mechanic. That Eastwood tool looks pretty robust similar to what i have. It looks small enough that it could possibly be used on the car where removal of the strut body from the car is not necessary.

The larger strut tool might be better if you did a lot of these. For me it would be overkill and just something else that you need to find storage room for.

BTW as an additional point NEVER buy the Harbor Freight strut tools. Compressing a strut is potentially quite dangerous and i would never trust that tool https://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-63262.html

To late, I've already replaced for sets of struts with one.

 

[ScottsGT]

Just got the OTC Clam shell for $163 shipped to my house. At Walmart.com of all places. Their prices are all over the place on the website. Did a search the other day and found this one and added it to my "list". Searched today and it would not come back up until I pulled it from my list.
Wish I had this when I lowered my Mustang.

 

[pelletman]

Just got the OTC Clam shell for $163 shipped to my house. At Walmart.com of all places. Their prices are all over the place on the website. Did a search the other day and found this one and added it to my "list". Searched today and it would not come back up until I pulled it from my list.
Wish I had this when I lowered my Mustang.

I have access to the Branick clamshell type. It was very difficult to do the Pilot springs with it, but with the help of one more screw type strut spring compressor, I got them done. I have ordered the Eastwood type also.