Strut compressor that wont kill me

[hoston23]

im looking for a good strut compressor. I need to do my front shocks but I don't want to pay someone to put them on for $90 a side if I can do it myself. so I need advice on a good tool to buy that's easy to use that wont kill me

 

[zurud]

You can borrow them at any auto parts store.

 

[padronanniversary]

Barnick

 

[kazlx]

You can rent them for free at most parts stores around here like zurud said. I bought these off Amazon and have used them on at least half a dozen cars.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUW7XE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[colin39]

Klam, bought mine 15 year ago and used it weekly since.

 

[PureLeaf]

Theres a few guys on here with hand powered hydraulic spring compressors. Cant quite find the pictures of them.

Alternatively, do you have access to a military base? Or know someone who does? The auto hobby shops on base usually have very nice wall mounted spring compressors and charge like 2 or 3 dollars an hour to use any/all of their equipment.

 

[shockwave]

Have you looked at strut assembly you can get fcs for cheap or Monroe quick struts (includes new springs,mounts and strut all ready to go)

Outside of assembly I would not trust any except Otc or brannick but those are big bucks

 

[devoncoolman]

Brannick is the way to go. But not for a one time use. Honestly go rent one from an autoparts store. Normally the rental is free if its returned not broken. The one kazlx linked is the best one on the cheap.

 

[Tyguy1209]

Quickstruts

 

[blackwire]

You can rent them for free at most parts stores around here like zurud said. I bought these off Amazon and have used them on at least half a dozen cars.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUW7XE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I used the Craftsman version of that compressor. They work ok but the safety pins don't fit over larger sized springs.

 

[shawhite]

You can rent them for free at most parts stores around here like zurud said. I bought these off Amazon and have used them on at least half a dozen cars.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUW7XE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I used these this past weekend got the job done and I still have all 10 fingers.

 

[djdaredevil]

I have this and have used it on a few different cars works great. Just grease the bolt and try not to use an impact http://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html

 

[hoston23]

I looked at renting ones but I'm afraid of the ones in pairs. I have a set like those but I don't think there safe. And I looked at buying struts with coils already on,but the Monroe struts aren't heavy duty enough because I have a ranch hand style bumper on my truck

 

[michiganman18]

I like quick struts myself but arent available in all applications nor are they always the best choice. I did see something that comes out of Europe. Monte recommended them and I would be curious as to try them.

they are called scangrip.

Here is a source for them in Australia. Havent done much searching yet to see where to find them here in the US but the design looks much safer and easier to use than the usual spring compressors. FWIW I have always been a little leary of the bare types but have always used them and Im still alive.

FYI: They probably wont be cheap.

http://www.calfinn.com.au/index.php/spring-compressors/spring-compressor

 

[jeb42]

Loaded struts are the way to go because your springs and mounts are probably worn too, and if you shop around they are not that much more expensive. I just did all four struts on my wife's stratus and it was a lot faster and safer without an expensive compressor.

 

[kazlx]

I used the Craftsman version of that compressor. They work ok but the safety pins don't fit over larger sized springs.

The safety pins haven't fit over any springs I have used them on. No big deal. Just make sure they are adjusted correctly and tension both sides evenly. You really don't need to compress them much to take the assembly apart, just take the tension off so you can get the strut nut off.

 

[pablo94sc]

It's a slow process and makes things a bit of a pain, but I've used the rentals from autozone a few times with no problems.

 

[KenS]

Somewhere I saw a strut compressor made out of two used disc brake rotors and some heavy-duty all-thread. This is not the exact post, but it will give you the idea: Spring compressor made out of disc brake rotors.

And here is a video of it in action: Brake rotor spring compressor in use,

I have thought about making one, but with three-- or even four-- lengths of all-thread instead of two, so the spring would be securely trapped. Of course this example is for a conventional spring and shock, so to accommodate a wider strut spring, holes for the all-thread would have to be drilled further out on the flanges of the rotors.

I'd be interested in hearing comments about this concept, and would like to see if anyone here has tried such a idea.

 

[Zrexxer]

I went back and forth about this too, and I finally decided to go the Quick-strut route. I ordered them today for about $130/side for my truck, should be here Monday. I think just the time saved and ease of installation will make it worth it..

 

[Romanova]

https://store.snapon.com/MacPherson-Coil-Spring-Compressors-Set-Master-Spring-Compressor-P646060.aspx

I got this one from Snap-On because the price was right. Used it on 4-5 different cars without issue.

 

[jobo1004]

https://store.snapon.com/MacPherson-Coil-Spring-Compressors-Set-Master-Spring-Compressor-P646060.aspx

I got this one from Snap-On because the price was right. Used it on 4-5 different cars without issue.

Thanks for the link.

 

[michiganman18]

Somewhere I saw a strut compressor made out of two used disc brake rotors and some heavy-duty all-thread. This is not the exact post, but it will give you the idea: Spring compressor made out of disc brake rotors.

And here is a video of it in action: Brake rotor spring compressor in use,

I have thought about making one, but with three-- or even four-- lengths of all-thread instead of two, so the spring would be securely trapped. Of course this example is for a conventional spring and shock, so to accommodate a wider strut spring, holes for the all-thread would have to be drilled further out on the flanges of the rotors.

I'd be interested in hearing comments about this concept, and would like to see if anyone here has tried such a idea.

That is very interesting. I may give that a shot myself once I think it over a bit.

What I think people are forgetting is that quick struts are not available in every application therefor forcing one to change the springs. Take a 96 Sebring for the front. No quick struts.

 

[Gotcha640]

I've used the two clamp auto store ones a fair amount, and they are a lot safer if you put a few cable clamps on the spring to keep them from sliding. I really like the idea of the brake discs and three or four lengths of all thread.

 

[sometoyotaguy]

I've used the auto store rental ones, and they made me nervous. They did work ok, but keep your fingers out of the springs, and try to keep the pressure even.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Quickstrut (not sure if anyone else makes them besides Monroe) or take them to and old-fashioned auto parts store and have them do it. It is worth the $30-$50 each !

 

[blackwire]

I like quick struts myself but arent available in all applications nor are they always the best choice. I did see something that comes out of Europe. Monte recommended them and I would be curious as to try them.

they are called scangrip.

Here is a source for them in Australia. Havent done much searching yet to see where to find them here in the US but the design looks much safer and easier to use than the usual spring compressors. FWIW I have always been a little leary of the bare types but have always used them and Im still alive.

FYI: They probably wont be cheap.

http://www.calfinn.com.au/index.php/spring-compressors/spring-compressor

I see similar ones on eBay. They are several sellers for this item. I don't know how they compare to the scangrip ones quality wise.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Set-of-Ja...7&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=231480663782&rt=nc

 

[blackwire]

https://store.snapon.com/MacPherson-Coil-Spring-Compressors-Set-Master-Spring-Compressor-P646060.aspx

I got this one from Snap-On because the price was right. Used it on 4-5 different cars without issue.

Looks very similar to this model.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I6RQFO/?tag=atomicindus08-20