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Recommended spring compressor

a***nc83

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Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
252
Location
Toronto, ON
Hey guys, i need to change the struts and springs on my cars (4 on the Acura, and 4 on the 300ZXTT). So i need a spring compressor, i was wondering what you guys would suggest, since i am hoping to buy one that would last me a while.

Thanks.:)
 
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Jeffksf

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Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
381
Location
Cleveland Ohio
Not the HF screw type, it broke after 5 struts. I'm gonna have teh nuts welded on and see how that lasts. My brother bought it for me so it didn't cost me anything.
 
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a***nc83

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Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
252
Location
Toronto, ON
Initially i checked the ones at HF, it didn't appear as though they were particularly effective, so i was rather hesitant to go that route.

I called the Advanced Auto Parts here in Toronto, and was told they don't have those...so i am a bit stuck.
 

theoldwizard1

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Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,132
Location
SE MI
A lot of auto parts stores will install new cartridges for a reasonable fee, if you bring them the assembly.

Or rent their compressor for free.
 

bgott

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Joined
Oct 31, 2005
Messages
3,512
Location
Houston, TX.
Unless they state otherwise they have the same warranty. Snap-on is supposedly company made, Blue-Point is contracted. One of the tool guys might expound on this, it wouldn't be the first time I didn't get something quite right. :)
 

DrkMtnDew

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Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
1,465
i've got the cornwell HR90200 master set. i like it better than most other designs that i have seen. they have big thick heads and locking pins. picked it up for $70.
 

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jkeyser14

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Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
1,818
Location
(rural) Maryland
Just a heads up, the coils on the acura are very close together and it makes it very hard to get a spring compressor with thick hooks in there. I managed to do it but couldn't use the safety pins because they were hitting the next coil down when compressed. The z wont be a problem.
 

Monte

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Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
12,669
Location
Germany
www.scangrip.dk

thumb_756_1231343636-11-0001.jpg
 
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RKA

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Jun 9, 2010
Messages
1,744
Location
NJ
I use one by a company called RTI (in pennyslvania). I don't see it on their website now, but I would call them and ask if they still make the spring compressor. It's exactly the same design as the scangrip shown above. Price was around $350 10 yrs ago...not cheap, but these $40 doo hickeys make me nervous (and a friend nearly got his head taken off when one nearly let loose on him).
 
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a***nc83

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Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
252
Location
Toronto, ON
Just an update, i purchased the Scangrip, it was pricey, but it was well built, and i felt safe using it. I changed both sets of springs on both cars, within a day, and it worked really great, and i want to add this bit, which i think is really important, this is the first time i have ever changed springs and struts, mechanical engineering work is not my field (as you can tell), or even something that i have been doing for a while, so it was very "user-friendly".

As i said, while it was pricey, and there were certainly cheaper ones available, i looked at it, in the manner that, overall i'm saving. For me to pay someone to do the two jobs, it would have costed me around $800, plus the parts. So i figured, while it was pricier than i would have liked to spend, i certainly value and like my health a lot more, and in the end i did spend less that i would have, had i gone the route of paying someone to do it.

Hope this helps
 

dankicksass

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Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
1,820
Location
New Jersey
I have to recommend against one spring compressor, the Lisle 62300. It is extraordinarily flimsy, killed one the first time using brand new just off the shelf. I just turned in my Advance rental one I had in my box for eight years, it did a good job, looks just like the Blue Point model I got to replace it.
 

RKA

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Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
1,744
Location
NJ
Very nice...how much did it set you back? I have a feeling they bought RTI's design and improved it...I like their new compressors!
 

RKA

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Jun 9, 2010
Messages
1,744
Location
NJ
That's a pretty good deal in my book. Like you said, it saved you from paying someone else, it's rock solid and safe and you have another tool on your belt for a future job.

Cashishift, I've used a wall mounted brannick many times. Honestly, compared to these designs, they are a pita and time consuming.
 

dellwas

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Joined
Sep 16, 2009
Messages
388
Location
Chester Grant, Nova Scotia, Canada
Try Canadian Tire. Many have a "loaner" program on tools. You pay the full cost of the tool, but you get it back when you return it in good condition. I used the program for a front wheel bearing removal/install kit to put bearings on my TDI VW.

Initially i checked the ones at HF, it didn't appear as though they were particularly effective, so i was rather hesitant to go that route.

I called the Advanced Auto Parts here in Toronto, and was told they don't have those...so i am a bit stuck.
 
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a***nc83

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
252
Location
Toronto, ON
Try Canadian Tire. Many have a "loaner" program on tools. You pay the full cost of the tool, but you get it back when you return it in good condition. I used the program for a front wheel bearing removal/install kit to put bearings on my TDI VW.

I did check into the Canadian Tire, here in Toronto, however the ones they had were very flimsy, in particular the one that i checked was even bent. So i decided to stay away from that as well.

Maybe i'm paranoid, but my time spent in ER, has offered me an interesting opportunity to see how out of line things can get.
 
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