MacPherson strut spring compressor???

[redsky49]

Who makes an affordable version, and how can I avoid losing a finger?

Happened to a friend of mine several years ago, though I think there was some drinking involved as well

 

[t100]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/OTC-7294/?rtype=10

I used it twice, almost peed myself every time.

 

[sbebenelli]

Who makes an affordable version, and how can I avoid losing a finger?

Happened to a friend of mine several years ago, though I think there was some drinking involved as well

If he only lost a finger he was lucky. Compressing a spring is not something you want to do with an "affordable" version IMHO.

These would be my choices....

Branick

OTC

 

[econoaddict]

If he only lost a finger he was lucky. Compressing a spring is not something you want to do with an "affordable" version IMHO.

These would be my choices....

Branick

OTC

Either of these is great.
I have the Branick and love it.

 

[35mastr]

I used the Branick for 12 plus years. Never had any limb loss or had a spring come out of it. You need to set the spring up in it right the first time. If you learn how to properly use them . They are very safe.

 

[tonydanzah]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/OTC-7294/?rtype=10

I used it twice, almost peed myself every time.

I've used that set on 30+ springs without any problems

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

+1 on the Brannick. I bought one last week from a closed down Goodyear dealer for $40 and used it to put a set of struts in my daughters car this weekend. I wouldn't expect to find one that cheap however as they usually run a little more than that....

 

[JayL]

How about these? Maybe somewhat cumbersome to use but looks safer.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-62300.aspx

 

[t100]

forget about it if you don't have a impact. pay the $25 to a shop who can do it in few minutes.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I had a cheap set like this get away from me when both slid over to the same side of a compressed spring. Lucliky I only got pinched a little by the coils that bound on the compressed side. I will never use a spring compressor like that again.

 

[Merkava_4]

I had a cheap set like this get away from me when both slid over to the same side of a compressed spring. Lucliky I only got pinched a little by the coils that bound on the compressed side. I will never use a spring compressor like that again.

I have that compressor, used it 3 times so far. Works fine for me.

 

[autoace]

I have that compressor, used it 3 times so far. Works fine for me.

The one you bought from Harbor Freight! for like 12 bucks?

 

[autoace]

I had a cheap set like this get away from me when both slid over to the same side of a compressed spring. Lucliky I only got pinched a little by the coils that bound on the compressed side. I will never use a spring compressor like that again.

Yep! They can do that, I have a MOOG wall unit, real safe. Those cheap ones are for low tensioned rear strut springs.

 

[RAYJAY]

used this one from HF at 49.00 works great done dozen of struts with it never a problem

and its the same design as the OTC one

 

[t100]

how much is the blue OTC?

 

[Merkava_4]

The one you bought from Harbor Freight! for like 12 bucks?

$14 on closeout.

 

[Skyline]

used this one from HF at 49.00 works great done dozen of struts with it never a problem

and its the same design as the OTC one

Snap-on used to make one like that as well....not sure if it is still made, but you see them on eBay, usually selling for about $40.

 

[dlewis]

Who makes an affordable version, and how can I avoid losing a finger?

Happened to a friend of mine several years ago, though I think there was some drinking involved as well

Do yourself a favor if you just need to do one car take your old struts and new struts,new bearing caps etc. and just take it to a tire store or mechanic and have them switch it out for you not worth the risk should only cost 1/2 hr. labor have done suspension work for 30yrs. real easy to get hurt.If you really have to do it I don't know were your buying the parts but i think auto zone etc. lend them to you if you buy their parts.

 

[Fubar]

Snap-on used to make one like that as well....not sure if it is still made, but you see them on eBay, usually selling for about $40.

Those don't work for any kind of heavy springs for the fact that it compresses the spring in an arc so as it will not go back together.

Take Dlewis's advice and take it to a shop with a Branick or similar compressor. Most of them have to be clocked properly as well.

 

[jamesemery728]

How about these? Maybe somewhat cumbersome to use but looks safer.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-62300.aspx

Have had these for years with no problems. The small U-bolts lock on the spring and there is no way for them to slip off.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have that compressor, used it 3 times so far. Works fine for me.

Mine worked fine for me several times as well, but that one time that the two slid together cured me. It happened so fast that I didn't see it coming. I started undoing it as fast as I could with a wrench, because it hurt like hell, and I didn't want anyone else in the shop to see what happened, because it would give them something to razz me about.

We had a guy take a spring to the face. luckily he didn't break anything but his face swelled up and he got to go to the hospital in an ambulance. I don't mess around with cheap spring compressors anymore, although that $49 one from HF looks pretty safe.

Chris

 

[glenmore]

I've used that cheapy set, borrowed from AutoZone. They seem beefy enough. You get a hell of a workout though if you do all four struts. For the occassional use I think they would be fine, not for repeated applications.

There must be something in the pro brands that keep the strut aligned and square to the mount. That is the biggest problem I had with them which leads to the workout because you compress, uncompress, try and reinstall, see that it's crooked, and start all over again.

 

[Fubar]

There must be something in the pro brands that keep the strut aligned and square to the mount. That is the biggest problem I had with them which leads to the workout because you compress, uncompress, try and reinstall, see that it's crooked, and start all over again.

No, you have to pay attention and clock them properly..

 

[glenmore]

No, you have to pay attention and clock them properly..

For future reference, how is this done? The best that I could do was to eyeball it and try and keep the studs on the mount square to the line of the lower mounting bolt hole.

Thanks.

 

[35mastr]

For future reference, how is this done? The best that I could do was to eyeball it and try and keep the studs on the mount square to the line of the lower mounting bolt hole.

Thanks.

You raise and lower the fingers to get the spring properley clocked. Also make sure before you compress it that you can get a gun on the nut.

Not real rocket science just good ol common sense.

 

[Tavy]

Impact guns to compress coils? Jeez, you guys have all the good stuff.

I have a set I got from NAPA for around $40, double-fingered (made in USA, too. Shiney). They've worked on everything from a '94 ****** to a '01 F150 coil, for several years and several hundred cycles. Best advice is to place 'em right, and measure 'em up to make sure you keep it even. Eyeballing does not work, period.

The wall mount Branick at my shop is the best, though, I just haven't seen any reason to invest $700-$800 in a larger unit.

 

[WVBrady]

I had a cheap set like this get away from me when both slid over to the same side of a compressed spring. Lucliky I only got pinched a little by the coils that bound on the compressed side. I will never use a spring compressor like that again.

I had the same trouble with a similar set until I tried putting the top hooks on the upper spring seat instead of on the spring coil. Much more secure.

 

[redsky49]

You guys have convinced me. I will take my struts to someone else to swap out the springs. I am quite fond of my fingers, and don't want to part with any.
Thanks for the input.