Spring compressors

[xbeatles4x]

Ok I need a set of spring compressor tomorrow to work on my volvo. I have never used or owned a spring compressor and figured I should probably buy a quality one rather than rent one from advance auto part. I am primarily on a craftsman budget and am satisfied with craftsman quality of higher when possible. What is recommended? I also plan on using them again when I finally get a new set of shocks and spring for my Miata project.

 

[CWP1616L]

Do you need a strut spring compressor or a coil spring compressor? A coil spring compressor would be used on a rear wheel drive car like a pickup.

 

[xbeatles4x]

Hmm you know that is a good question. I do know the Miata uses a spring/ shock combo in a coil over configuration and I know the volvo uses struts up front.

Mentally I was thinking of something that is similar to the sticks that are used that clamp on the outside. Is that outdated technology? Should I not use those? I thought I could those type for both cars. Is that what advance would rent out?

 

[KPSquared]

I've just used the cheapo coil compressors that I've had for years. Changed struts, coil overs, you name it. They are like $20 at Princess Auto (Canadian HF. . .but crappier)

 

[joedodge]

Faster cheaper and easier to find a local shop with a strut tamer to throw the springs on the new struts for you

 

[xbeatles4x]

Well I should explain I need to take the spring off of the strut to replace the spring seat. Just wanted to know if at all there is a recommendation.

 

[CWP1616L]

Well I should explain I need to take the spring off of the strut to replace the spring seat. Just wanted to know if at all there is a recommendation.

That's what I needed to know. The one in this link I got at Harbor Freight on close out for $14. HF no longer has them. It's exactly like the one I rented from Autozone and it's real good quality. Here you go: LINK

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

I agree with joe. If you havent used a spring compressor before it can be really dangerous. Cheaper for what your asking isnt always safe. The compressors that shops have are 1000+ dollars and there safer + faster. Just my two cents.

 

[sensei_]

Do you need a strut spring compressor or a coil spring compressor? A coil spring compressor would be used on a rear wheel drive car like a pickup.

i have both of the above, however, whats the difference between a strut and coil spring compressor?

 

[CWP1616L]

I agree with joe. If you havent used a spring compressor before it can be really dangerous.

Well, the one I linked to is pretty safe as long as you get it in position where it's supposed to go. It has lock out pins that prevent the hooks from slipping off the coil rungs. I've used it -- it works real well.

What gets dangerous is compressing front coil springs on rear wheel drive cars that have large V8 engines.

 

[Modifieddriver]

I thought you could rent these tools at the Advanced Auto, O'Reily, etc.

 

[CWP1616L]

i have both of the above, however, whats the difference between a strut and coil spring compressor?

A strut spring compressor compresses the spring from the outside. A coil spring compressor goes down through the center of the coil spring and compresses the spring from the inside.

 

[xbeatles4x]

To my knowledge you can but I was thinking if it is a nice tool I might splurge on myself and get a nice pair. What I might end up doing is renting one tomorrow since I need it for the volvo and buy a quality one this summer for the Miata.

 

[kossuth]

My 2 cents... If you are going to buy the outside hook ones, you're honestly waisting your money. You can borrow them from Advance (they say it's a rent, but you get 100% of your money back if you bring it back in working shape so it's a borrow) and use your $50 towards something better. Personally I've done struts about 6 different times and 3 of those times I've just rented the tool from Advance. Twice I've taken the strut to a local place to break em loose, but the local places started asking $50 to do pull em apart so I just decided to do it myself from then on out. The other time was actually the first time I every really dived into doing a set of struts. I was helping a buddy of mine at the post auto shop (when I was still in the military) and we used one of those to Strut Tamer tools that the shop had for folks to use to swap the springs onto new struts for his early 1990 Japanese something or other. I forget what car was but still remember that tool worked slick as anything. I can't imagine they are cheap though and for as often as I do struts I'll just rent the generic compressors.

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

Well, the one I linked to is pretty safe as long as you get it in position where it's supposed to go. It has lock out pins that prevent the hooks from slipping off the coil rungs. I've used it -- it works real well.

What gets dangerous is compressing front coil springs on rear wheel drive cars that have large V8 engines.

Its dangerous either way. Ive worked at shops for a number of years and have seen every kind of spring compressor there is. Those lock out pins dont stop anything from slipping off. Ive seen springs fly off lock out pins or not.

 

[CWP1616L]

Those lock out pins dont stop anything from slipping off.

Well, the tool wasn't gonna come off the rungs until I slid the lock out pins over. Those strut springs don't scare me too much. Those big block coil springs on an old Mustang will have a lot more wound up potential energy when they're compressed than those little strut springs will.

 

[tmike14400]

Regardless of the type, buy quality ones. Spring compressors are not a place to save a few bucks because the potential energy of a compressed spring is very dangerous. I've seen seriously dented toolboxes and holes in walls from popped springs.
If you don't want to pay the big bucks, check craigslist and buy a Snap-On set used. This is one tool that shouldn't be purchased at HF.

 

[junkman104]

I have one of these. Its a little slow but safe and jets the job done. Think I bought it on fleabay. Lisle 62300

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lil-62300?seid=google&gclid=CP3Pr4fEiLUCFUOK4AodkUsAiQ

Read up on changing that spring mount before you jump in on it. I have done several.

 

[dsmnickk90]

I have a OTC. I don't like the kind with the U-bolts they take to long for me. I don't think the kind with the pins are dangerous just compress the spring evenly and don't drop the compressed spring once its off. I do like 5 second bust on the impact alternating sides and it compresses even and the compressor has never slipped position on me.

 

[Lotek]

Well, the tool wasn't gonna come off the rungs until I slid the lock out pins over. Those strut springs don't scare me too much. Those big block coil springs on an old Mustang will have a lot more wound up potential energy when they're compressed than those little strut springs will.

Those little strut springs can still kill you, they should have your respect.


While a bit more expensive, the clamshell type are safer imho. Whatever you use, clamp the strut upright in a vise to hold it steady, only compress the spring enough to loosen the top plate, treat the spring with respect once the top nut is off, and be safe.

 

[mailpup]

I used the inexpensive type strut spring compressor when I first started changing struts but I didn't feel comfortable safety wise. Although I'm just a non-professional shadetree mechanic, I'm fairly serious about it so I bought a Branick 7200. It's been superseded by a newer model, the Branick 7400.

This a picture of a 7200 but not my actual one. Mine is wall mounted but I take it down after every use because it's in the way. It weighs about 100 lbs. Granted this is a bit much for most non-professionals but this is what I wanted.

 

[bobemmerich]

I have used several types. This is the one I have now and it works for the intended job...
http://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html

I also have these, but don't recommend or like them...
http://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-3980.html

I also have these for internal spring compressing...


The pneumatic ones are awesome, but I can't justify buying one for the amount of times I may change a strut out on the families vehicles.

 

[fourtythree]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CMDPLM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Been using this style for years. They're pretty robust and I've never felt unsafe using them. Autozone sells them for 35, or if you insist on US made, craftsman sells the same ones for 20 bucks more.

 

[Vvmvbb]

I bought this style, though not this brand:

U-bolt grabs the spring and can't come off.
It would be a pain to use every day with the extra bolting and un-bolting.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

I have some 3 prong ones that I've had for years, but I hardly use them. Since I'm in the driveway and not on a lift, I use the car as a spring compressor. Jack up the suspension, loosen whatever it is that's holding the spring in, then slowly lower it. You can also do this before you even jack up the car, then as you jack up the car the springs are unloaded.

It's great for struts, but real coil springs not so much. A lot of them don't have enough suspension travel to completely unload the spring, and that means I have to get the spring compressors out. In that situation if I can, I'll jack up the suspension and put the compressors on, then slowly lower the jack. This way I don't have to fight to tighten the compressors. Only compress the spring as much as needed to remove the spring. You want to store as little energy as possible in the spring in case of a catastrophic failure or something.

Disclaimer: Some people have said not to do what I do, because it's dangerous. Frankly I think it's 1000% safer than using the hook type compressors. Obviously anything with that much potential energy is dangerous, but I feel safer leaving a few thousand pounds of steel and the jack used to lift those few thousand pounds in charge of controlling a spring rather than a few pounds of steel. I have had a compressor slip on me, and I don't trust them.

 

[silver2000]

Take a look at the Craftsman one, not positive its right for you, but it looks much better made than I expected. I *think* it is USA made also and was about $45. The sir tools one looks terrific but at $500! is insane. The Craftsman one looked well made.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

It's like any tool, if it's not used properly and carefully then sure they can injure/kill you. I own these ones:
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8023104/Steering-&-Suspension/Strut-Spring-Compressor
They've done the job nicely and do not feel unsafe at all when using them.

 

[turbodave]

I have one of these. Its a little slow but safe and jets the job done. Think I bought it on fleabay. Lisle 62300

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lil-62300?seid=google&gclid=CP3Pr4fEiLUCFUOK4AodkUsAiQ

Read up on changing that spring mount before you jump in on it. I have done several.

I have that same one, been using it for probably 10years and have done dozens of struts with it without any issues.

Takes a little longer, but with the u-bolts I've always felt safe using it. For the 4-5 strut jobs a year I usually do it's fine, plus doesn't take up a ton of space in the toolbox.

 

[Lotek]

I have some 3 prong ones that I've had for years, but I hardly use them. Since I'm in the driveway and not on a lift, I use the car as a spring compressor. Jack up the suspension, loosen whatever it is that's holding the spring in, then slowly lower it. You can also do this before you even jack up the car, then as you jack up the car the springs are unloaded.

It's great for struts, but real coil springs not so much. A lot of them don't have enough suspension travel to completely unload the spring, and that means I have to get the spring compressors out. In that situation if I can, I'll jack up the suspension and put the compressors on, then slowly lower the jack. This way I don't have to fight to tighten the compressors. Only compress the spring as much as needed to remove the spring. You want to store as little energy as possible in the spring in case of a catastrophic failure or something.

Disclaimer: Some people have said not to do what I do, because it's dangerous. Frankly I think it's 1000% safer than using the hook type compressors. Obviously anything with that much potential energy is dangerous, but I feel safer leaving a few thousand pounds of steel and the jack used to lift those few thousand pounds in charge of controlling a spring rather than a few pounds of steel. I have had a compressor slip on me, and I don't trust them.

Don't want to argue about it, but don't recommend unsafe practices to others. This is dangerous, no matter how many times you have gotten away with it.

 

[wafrederick]

If you want to save time,go check if there are the loaded struts for this Volvo first already put together.Advantage is they are already assembled and all you have to do is install them in the vehicle.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

I'll agree to disagree with you. You say not to recommend unsafe procedures, and based upon my opinion and experiences I do not find hook compressors safe. When one slipped on me the spring was off the car, and luckily the other held. If the other had slipped as well, I probably wouldn't be here, at least not all of me. I also tightened each side 1/2 turn at a time as always. Coil springs I tether to the car with a chain when I remove them, just because you never know. People will have different ideas on what they feel safe doing, and after a close call and several uneasy moments after that I feel safe doing things my way. I do like the looks of those u bolt style ones vvmvbb posted, and I'll pick some up to replace my other ones

Disclaimer: This is my opinion based on my experiences. Nobody should do anything that they don't feel is safe, no matter what it is.

 

[hosz]

I don't recommend it, but some people do it this way:

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

I don't recommend it, but some people do it this way:

Those guys are going to get them selfs killed.

 

[tjmonsen5]

Here is my spring compressor, I wrote a short review on it. Check it out, I love it!
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147390

 

[Lotek]

Those guys are going to get them selfs killed.

That's just scary stupid. Just use the proper tools, even the cheap clamps are safer than that, as long as you position them right, they aren't going to slip, if someone can't manage that...

 

[wafrederick]

Another wrong way to do it.

 

[kossuth]

Another wrong way to do it.

You're right, but I would do this before I would even try what the guys on hosz video are doing. Both are stupid but at least with this method the strut will go through your wall, your neighbors house, your fence etc etc vs smashing you in the face when a zip tie decides to break. Then again natural selection

 

[CWP1616L]

Those little strut springs can still kill you, they should have your respect.

While a bit more expensive, the clamshell type are safer imho. Whatever you use, clamp the strut upright in a vise to hold it steady, only compress the spring enough to loosen the top plate, treat the spring with respect once the top nut is off, and be safe.

Maybe I should play around with them more often then. That would solve all my problems.

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

That's just scary stupid. Just use the proper tools, even the cheap clamps are safer than that, as long as you position them right, they aren't going to slip, if someone can't manage that...

Im surprised they didnt use ducked tape

 

[jamesemery728]

I bought this style, though not this brand:

U-bolt grabs the spring and can't come off.
It would be a pain to use every day with the extra bolting and un-bolting.

+1 on this type. Strong, secure, and don't slip a bit. Have used them for years with no problemo.