Strut Spring Compressor

[The Critic]

Does anyone own this style of coil spring compressor?

Product: https://www.jbtools.com/jack-tech-sk-3000-strut-spring-compressor/
Demos:

I like the spring securement design better than Branick's. It seems like the SK-3000 can work pretty well for applications with shorter springs. Storage isn't terrible for the home user either - the footprint looks rather small.

 

[engineer2]

I like it. The Branick is designed to mount on a wall, except I don't have any open wall area. The Branick is at least a 40 year old design.

 

[The Critic]

This new one from Cal-Van doesn't look shabby either: https://cal-vantools.com/products/floor-mounted-2200-lbs-spring-compressor/

 

[Steve_P]

You can bolt the Brannick to a bar or tube and clamp it in a vise- this is what my (now retired) alignment guy did. Old design or not, I've never seen a spring compressor I've considered as safe as a Brannick.

 

[dnschmidt]

If you don't have a "wall" weld something up that mimics a wall. Branick has been the industry standard since forever. They must be doing something right.

 

[M635_Guy]

I really like that. I couldn't justify it as a DIY'er, of course (unless I was doing some serious Lemons builds or something like that), but that's a great price point.

 

[WWheeler]

lol, I've never used a shop one but for a DYer I have used this style widowmaker a few times now and though it seems pretty sketch and scared me the first time I must admit it works great.



The real deal one this style is made by Hazet and runs about $2k, but the one I used was by Eastwood and cost about $150.

Hazet 4900-2A/5 - Google Shopping

www.google.com

Eastwood Macpherson Strut and Coil Spring Compressor

Compress springs on the suspension of most non-commercial vehicles.

www.eastwood.com

 

[nicks78camaro]

Anyone used this style from SPC? I need to do some half ton truck coilovers.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sps-40260&ved=2ahUKEwjdooGY_Pr8AhUUTTABHSC9DQYQFnoECEcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3q_CQcXliYtiOrCGlxs4Zd

There's knockoffs of this style on Amazon but based on reviews aren't as heavy duty.

 

[purplezr2]

Saw one sitting in the shop at work today.

 

[mishkaya]

I have the Jack-tech. I have done a couple dozen struts with it at least. Took a while to get the gist of it, but for car struts, I find it to be very adequate. I don't know that I would trust it for heavy duty stuff however. It sure has saved me a ton of time on strut assembles since I started using it. I do see that it has pretty much doubled in price since I purchased one however...

 

[M635_Guy]

lol, I've never used a shop one but for a DYer I have used this style widowmaker a few times now and though it seems pretty sketch and scared me the first time I must admit it works great.



The real deal one this style is made by Hazet and runs about $2k, but the one I used was by Eastwood and cost about $150.

Hazet 4900-2A/5 - Google Shopping

www.google.com

Eastwood Macpherson Strut and Coil Spring Compressor

Compress springs on the suspension of most non-commercial vehicles.

www.eastwood.com

I have a similar one:

It was the no-name version of what BavAuto was selling years ago. I compared mine with a buddy who had theirs and the only difference was the sticker on the case. I've used it a number of times now and lent to to several friends, and it works great - much more confidence-inspiring than those damn claw-type compressors.

The case, on the other hand, is a piece of ****, and the "hinge" has broken, making storing this thing a PITA. I'm half-tempted to sell it for $60 and put it toward the new version that has a much nicer case and pads for the spring plates. (same as the Eastwood).

I love Hazet, but in no universe is that tool worth $2K - Made in Germany or not.

 

[csp]

My Branick is bolted to a piece of c-channel that's welded to a semi wheel. Works great

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I just bought the SK3000. I should have it next week so I can post pictures and what not.

It seems crazy at $600 but I am doing my daily solara with complete struts and springs (oem) and I'm also swapping springs on my CT. so it'll be used at least 6 times. I've used the janky spring compressor tool from advanced auto but as I get older the more I'm fine with spending money knowing that it's safe. Plus now I can do my RCF with lowering springs and actually probably any springs and make it easier.

I love that it holds the strut upright so I'm not balancing anything on the floor or in the air. Everything is supported.

I don't even know what a shop charges to do springs but even if it was $50 each time this will have paid for itself here shortly with my 3 cars.

I saw the clam shell style posted above but that thing looks like it's going to break. From the amazon reviews most of the metal is cast which isn't a reassuring feeling if something were to break.
The Hazet is awesome but no way I'm spending $2k for something that I'm not a professional shop..lol

This was a happy medium, I think. I'll update with pictures/videos once I get it and use it.

-Nigel

 

[Packard V8]

For thirty years I've given shop space to a $600 OTC and hope never to use it again. PM me.


jack vines

 

[KZOC]

My mechanic has this style... It's a nice piece of kit.

Easy to move around and store, no dedicated wall space, and very adjustable. I was looking into getting one for myself, but I find myself doing less and less these days. It's easier to give him a 6 pack to let him watch me use it.

 

[rust in the eye]

For doing two cars I'd just farm it out or perhaps rent something. One time use tools that take up a lot of space often wind up being a poor investment.
A lot of shops are replacing entire strut assemblies on common cars. so if you sniff around might find a Brannick cheap enough to justify the purchase. I did and love mine for most applications.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Well it arrived.

I was slightly nervous because I could hear things moving around in the box.

Luckily only just a minor chip here and there on the red piece that I can touch up with paint.

Total assembly time was maybe 5 minutes. I spent more time cleaning up the little bits of styrofoam than anything else. I don't know why manufacturers still insist on using it lol. The **** breaks apart and goes everywhere and then you've got the static electricity having it cling to everything It's quite annoying.

This is what it looks like, seems like a very solid bit and most of all it does not take up a big footprint. I don't have to mount anything on the wall, I'm not going to run into anything when I'm done using this. I can take it in the basement and put it in the utility closet so it's not taking up any garage space lol.

I'll have more pictures here probably in a day or so when I put a strut on it and test it out. Without a doubt this is definitely a better solution than what I was going to do at AutoZone or advance Auto.







My only one gripe is I wish that the bottom pieces that hold the strut either by the shaft or by the opening where the spring is. They have teeth on the one side of it so you can adjust it up and down but if you flip it so that it's just grabbing it by the strut shaft there's no teeth on the bracket parts so then you can't adjust that heightwise. If you're mounting it and holding it by the bottom of the strut opening then it can be adjusted up and down but it's weird that they just wouldn't have done this on both sides of the metal brackets.

*Edit. to the above comment. I can understand why they have the wider part of the bottom mounting teethed. Since the lower strut or upper strut might be at different heights due to the spring coil that makes sense to be able to adjust one so that it's safely and securing holding on to it. Where when you flip them around and have it holding the shaft, the shaft should be straight. So there would be no reason to adjust it. It made more sense when I put a strut in it. I'll post pictures shortly of it.



-Nigel

 

[whateg01]

I know to reach their own and all but touch-up paint for a spring compressor???

I am getting ready to replace a strut mount on my 2016 edge. Looking at the various designs, I kind of wonder why they need to be so complex. The reason the cheap compressors that are basically a couple bolts with hooks on the end fail is that they have to be placed directly across from each other on the spring. Any offset causes the spring to want to squeeze out. But if you use 3 of them spaces 120 degrees, there's no chance of it going "over center" and shooting out the side. The expensive models accomplish this with fixed frames but the same could be accomplished with the cheap ones. Which makes me wonder, why don't they sell them in sets of three?

 

[qqzj]

I know to reach their own and all but touch-up paint for a spring compressor???

I am getting ready to replace a strut mount on my 2016 edge. Looking at the various designs, I kind of wonder why they need to be so complex. The reason the cheap compressors that are basically a couple bolts with hooks on the end fail is that they have to be placed directly across from each other on the spring. Any offset causes the spring to want to squeeze out. But if you use 3 of them spaces 120 degrees, there's no chance of it going "over center" and shooting out the side. The expensive models accomplish this with fixed frames but the same could be accomplished with the cheap ones. Which makes me wonder, why don't they sell them in sets of three?

You can buy two pairs and use 4 of them. Don’t stop at 3

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I am always sucked into these threads to find out it is a discussion of tools to be used off the car and don't work for springs that are compressed by the lower control arm.

 

[joel_400]

Of all the types I've seen and used I like the Branick myself. Enough that I bought one for when I have my own shop. Got a screaming deal on on though!
Joel

 

[VolvoRyan]

I am always sucked into these threads to find out it is a discussion of tools to be used off the car and don't work for springs that are compressed by the lower control arm.

Or olde-school MacPherson struts that don't come off the car...



-Ryan

 

[whateg01]

I don't see why using two of the cheap sets wouldn't work on the car, aside from the space they take and access to them.

Also, the reason for not using all 4 is that as two are compressed, one would always want to become loose and could slide out of position. With 3, they all remain under tension.

 

[Speed-Racer]

lol, I've never used a shop one but for a DYer I have used this style widowmaker a few times now and though it seems pretty sketch and scared me the first time I must admit it works great.



The real deal one this style is made by Hazet and runs about $2k, but the one I used was by Eastwood and cost about $150.

Hazet 4900-2A/5 - Google Shopping

www.google.com

Eastwood Macpherson Strut and Coil Spring Compressor

Compress springs on the suspension of most non-commercial vehicles.

www.eastwood.com

I purchased this one from eastwood. Worked with bmw sport springs that are fatter in the middle and was unable to use the claw style. I supplement a couple of older blue point claw style strut compressors that came in a 3 pack to be extra safe. extra safe because I saw a ford factory tool break and respect a compressed spring. I like the branick more, but lack any free place to mount it.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Finally got to use the spring compressor tonight, took me a little time fiddling with it trying to figure out the best way to make the spring go down straight down just because it isn't a perfectly vertical spring.

But then after that it literally took me two or three minutes to do the other strut which was awesome. Keeps the strut vertical there's no movement and I don't have to worry about something going wrong.

Overall I think this is a great solution. It's expensive but it's extremely safe which was what I was going for. I'm happy with it. The more I use it the cheaper it becomes lol.











They also make one that's even stronger.



-Nigel

 

[The Critic]

@NewShockerGuy - I really like what I see. Thanks for sharing.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

No problemo. I've used the thing like 30 times now...lol.

I couldn't decide on which springs I wanted to use on my car so I ended up swapping different springs, and this was so easy and effortlessly. I can completely take a whole shock/strut apart in a maybe 20 seconds. It's crazy.

-Nigel

 

[SM Racing]

Just lay the assembly on the floor, stand on the spring, clear the area and hit the top nut with an impact. They don't have that much preload. (cars, not talking about big trucks). The damper will go one way about 5ft and the top hat will go the other way a couple of feet. Feel free to put some towels on the damper to slow it down. HAHA. Its not that dangerous.