Need advice on strut coil spring compressor

[Aztecaloco707]

Hey guys I'm in need of coil spring compressor for some of my side jobs I do and was looking at this one on ebay. Curious to your thoughts on it.

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=201358166036&alt=web

 

[Shadowdog500]

Darn, for the price I may get one. I'm sure it isn't as good as a pro wall mounted one, but it looks a hell of a lot better than death sticks. I had a set of death sticks slip and pinch my stomach years ago. I was at work and quietly undid them, so I wouldn't get razzed, and I never used those things again. He sold 110 of them and has positive reviews, for the price, it may be worth trying.

Chris

 

[Shadowdog500]

It also got a pass on Post 2712 of the HF pass fail thread. They sell (or sold) the same one.

Hydraulic Strut Spring Compressor ITEM # 45860: Pass

Bought a used one off Craigslist, worked like a champ. The compressor worked very well, very sturdy with no deflection at all. Took all four springs off the shocks without a sweat.

 

[BuildFixModify]

Seems like a reasonable product from the pictures. The price kind of concerns me though. A spring compressor is not something that you want to go cheap on, considering the amount of force it has to hold.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

The price seems good enough to give it a try, should be better than the "death sticks" I have now. Think I'll order one, thank you guys for the replies.

 

[bczygan]

Anyone use this one from HF?

 

[ex-x-fire]

^Yeah, I've used that style. I would only use it for light, light cars.^
The red one looks like a decent one, I'd like to see it pass the test of doing Grand Caravan struts.

 

[Shadowdog500]

The price seems good enough to give it a try, should be better than the "death sticks" I have now. Think I'll order one, thank you guys for the replies.

After you get it, Can you shoot a YouTube video of it in action? I'd like to see it in action.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Aztecaloco707]

I'll try to get a video posted up or atleast a review, I've got a nissan armada in need of some new struts. I will keep you guys posted.

 

[Skin]

less than $120 for a 3ft tall "3 ton" hydraulic compressor and they ship it and sill make a profit. I actually find that very scary.

looking at it closer it appears nothing secures the spring to the bottom except friction. That's sketchy as hell.

 

[djdaredevil]

Anyone use this one from HF?

I have that one and it works great. Ive had it for 3-4 years and used
it a few times. You just have to grease the bolt well and if you use
and impact (not recommended) use it slowly.

 

[jn50308401]

I hate all of these "DIY" compressors with a passion. Finnicky, dangerous jobs like that are best left to pro grade tools. My advice is build the price of paying for swapping over the struts at a shop/parts store or to price ready mount struts for the job. The side work can't be profitable enough to risk long term disability or a trip 6 feet under. Good luck!

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[jrobb316]

I hate all of these "DIY" compressors with a passion. Finnicky, dangerous jobs like that are best left to pro grade tools. My advice is build the price of paying for swapping over the struts at a shop/parts store or to price ready mount struts for the job. The side work can't be profitable enough to risk long term disability or a trip 6 feet under. Good luck!

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You and I enjoy chewing food with real teeth, some don't. When its tine for me to buy, i've had the OTC strut tamer on my wish list for a long time.

 

[jn50308401]

You and I enjoy chewing food with real teeth, some don't. When its tine for me to buy, i've had the OTC strut tamer on my wish list for a long time.

No thanks to that! When I was in tech school one of the "hotshot" mechanic wannabes(the ones who know everything and nothing all at the same time) in my class sent a Taurus strut spring flying past my head, embedding itself in a concrete wall across the shop.

From that day on, I had a full and undivided respect of coil springs and the importance of having spare underwear..

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[jrobb316]

I've seen them come out of the spring compressor, luckily it was never me, and there were never any serious injuries. And that was a Branick, which I don't care for personally, but they are kind of the standard compressor. Just not something to cheap out on, and if HF did sell a similar model, which means they are exactly the same thing, run fast. My dog wouldn't drink out of a HF dog bowl if they were giving them away.

 

[jn50308401]

I've seen them come out of the spring compressor, luckily it was never me, and there were never any serious injuries. And that was a Branick, which I don't care for personally, but they are kind of the standard compressor. Just not something to cheap out on, and if HF did sell a similar model, which means they are exactly the same thing, run fast. My dog wouldn't drink out of a HF dog bowl if they were giving them away.

Yeah its about the most dangerous thing I've ever seen in a shop.. well.. there was that one time when the guy next stall over was smoking a cigarette draining a gas tank in a 5 gallon bucket..

Anyway with almost 100% coverage for quick change struts it doesn't make sense to monkey around with subpar tools. To me, sidework should be gravy that won't turn into a science project.


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[Lx460]

You and I enjoy chewing food with real teeth, some don't. When its tine for me to buy, i've had the OTC strut tamer on my wish list for a long time.

I picked up an OTC strut tamer on CL complete with stand for $100. I don't use it very often but when I do, it's great.

 

[jn503084]

I picked up an OTC strut tamer on CL complete with stand for $100. I don't use it very often but when I do, it's great.

There's a fair number of shop tools on Craigslist,just keep an out of for ads with mechanics shop, shop tools, etc..

 

[Triple macs]

You and I enjoy chewing food with real teeth, some don't. When its tine for me to buy, i've had the OTC strut tamer on my wish list for a long time.

+1
Helped my dentist put his daughter through college. The energy contained within a compressed coil spring is scary.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Anyone use this one from HF?

Any coil spring compressor that use "pins" as part of the retaining mechanism
is "questionable".

Some of the auto parts stores will remove springs and install struts for $10-$20 a piece (possibly free if you buy the struts from them).

Monroe "quick struts" are a good deal (completely assembled with new springs, mounts, etc) especially for older cars.

 

[bucksnort59]

+1
Helped my dentist put his daughter through college. The energy contained within a compressed coil spring is scary.

Had a spring hit my hand as it went by. It hurt for awhile.

 

[jrobb316]

Any coil spring compressor that use "pins" as part of the retaining mechanism
is "questionable".

Some of the auto parts stores will remove springs and install struts for $10-$20 a piece (possibly free if you buy the struts from them).

Monroe "quick struts" are a good deal (completely assembled with new springs, mounts, etc) especially for older cars.

The problem with the quick struts is that they are complete junk. If you have a beater and just need some struts, thats OK, but given any time they will make noise and come back. Factory cartridges usually aren't too expensive and really are the best way to shore up the situation. Ive been very unimpressed with anything Monroe makes in the past few years. I put a set of just regular Monroe shocks on my truck and they're bad already. Their brake pads are really really bad.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The problem with the quick struts is that they are complete junk. If you have a beater and just need some struts, thats OK, but given any time they will make noise and come back.

Most noise is not from the strut. It is from the bearing/mounting plate or other hardware that most DIYers do not replace.

Quick and easy for DIYers.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My daughter blew a rear stur on he 2012 Expedition EL (Struts on something that big ? Well, it is IRS.) One look at those massive coils and I said "not for me !"

"A man's gotsta know his limitations !"

 

[94EG8]

I've seen them come out of the spring compressor, luckily it was never me, and there were never any serious injuries. And that was a Branick, which I don't care for personally, but they are kind of the standard compressor.

Ok, I'll bite, what's wrong with the Branick? As you said they're basically the gold standard. Every shop I've been in had one. I've used them before when I worked for a local Honda dealership, I always liked them. I don't get why you didn't like it, I've never seen anything else that worked as well.

The problem with the quick struts is that they are complete junk. If you have a beater and just need some struts, thats OK, but given any time they will make noise and come back. Factory cartridges usually aren't too expensive and really are the best way to shore up the situation. Ive been very unimpressed with anything Monroe makes in the past few years. I put a set of just regular Monroe shocks on my truck and they're bad already. Their brake pads are really really bad.

My thoughts exactly. I try to either buy OEM struts from the dealership (especially for Honda) or I'll go with KYB shocks/struts otherwise.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Any coil spring compressor that use "pins" as part of the retaining mechanism
is "questionable".

The pins don't do any of the compressing, they are there to hold it in place while you hook up the other ends.

 

[jn503084]

I'm guessing is if the original poster is doing side work, his costumer base may not demand OEM ride quality restoration. If they do, investing in quality tools to do the job right at home would be worth it. I guess making that decision will ultimately be his.

 

[DodgeMech]

You and I enjoy chewing food with real teeth, some don't. When its tine for me to buy, i've had the OTC strut tamer on my wish list for a long time.

we just installed one at work, after using "death sticks", and a home made contraption that was two 1/4 inch plates of steel held together by 4 pieces of 5/8 all thread...still ain't had to do a single strut job since we installed it though

Any coil spring compressor that use "pins" as part of the retaining mechanism
is "questionable".

Some of the auto parts stores will remove springs and install struts for $10-$20 a piece (possibly free if you buy the struts from them).

Monroe "quick struts" are a good deal (completely assembled with new springs, mounts, etc) especially for older cars.

are they worth a ****? i need coilovers on front of my taco, and have thought about the monroe's...

 

[jrobb316]

Ok, I'll bite, what's wrong with the Branick? As you said they're basically the gold standard. Every shop I've been in had one. I've used them before when I worked for a local Honda dealership, I always liked them. I don't get why you didn't like it, I've never seen anything else that worked as well.



My thoughts exactly. I try to either buy OEM struts from the dealership (especially for Honda) or I'll go with KYB shocks/struts otherwise.

I don't like the Branick because nothing is locked in, like the OTC. I just personally consider it second best. I've done a fair share of Odyssey springs when I was at the dealer and that was SCARY on the Branick rig we had. We didn't have the latest and greatest either, but they really have not changed much. Doing springs that are slightly curved was a pain too as it always compressed them walking sideways and we had to compensate for it.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

I placed the order for the eBay one I linked I figure I'll give it a try and if it don't work out I'll send it back and save for the strut tamer. Hoping it's a decent machine I don't do struts all that often.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Anyone use this one from HF?

Yeah I bought one and here are my thoughts: the lil lock pins with bearings are a weak point, before mine was open the bearings had fell out of the pins, and the clamps that grab around the coil were so thick I could not get them on my GM spring, I returned mine and got a rental from a local parts store. YMMV

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don't like the Branick because nothing is locked in, like the OTC.

Never used either, but watching a couple of video, I do like the OTC "locking" mechanism.

 

[redwrench60]

No matter what brand you choose make sure you point your nuts away from it while using it. Strut spring compressors and Cheetah bead seaters are about the only two things in the shop that make me nervous.

 

[mfewtrail]

For occasional DIY use, I like the Lisle 62300. They might take a few minutes longer to use, but that's an acceptable tradeoff for larger degree of safety. My set is USA made, not sure about current stock. A quick search shows they can be had for $40-50ish shipped new.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

It's here!!! Arrived well packaged and was super simple to assemble. I'll have to give a review on it when I get a chance to use it but it seems fairly well made especially considering what I paid.

 

[c39er]

Looks like it's made wrong...base to stand needs to be rotated 90 degree's.
It looks like it could tip over on it's side when loaded with a strut.

 

[Just_George]

It's here!!! Arrived well packaged and was super simple to assemble. I'll have to give a review on it when I get a chance to use it but it seems fairly well made especially considering what I paid.

Any update? Curious how you like it...

 

[Marcm157]

If all else fails....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l-BTUXR-4Mo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[franzdom]

... My dog wouldn't drink out of a HF dog bowl if they were giving them away.

Bwahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 haha that is one of the funniest things I have ever read here!

 

[malibu101]

If all else fails....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l-BTUXR-4Mo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

COOL!
Done in 1.5 mins with a cigarette in his mouth while doing it.