Spring compressor needed for changing springs?
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
I cannot believe what I am reading! It is totally irresponsible to even suggest not using a spring compressor!
I recall reading something from OSHA a few years ago about 20 mechanics being killed in a ten year period while working on struts.
Removing a spring off a strut can be very dangerous! The spring is strong enough to hold up the front end of a car, and is under a tremendous amount of tension. Even with the right tools and know-how, you can be seriously injured or killed doing it. I personally know of one pretty nasty injury and one big hole in a garage door from improperly removing springs off a strut.
Autozone and Advance will loan you a spring tool at no charge (just a deposit). Follow the manual and tool instructions. Make sure you aim both ends of the strut in a harmless direction, AND I MEAN IT! If the compressor tool slips or fails, that spring is going to go off like a cannon. If your head is in the way, your head is coming off too!
I recall reading something from OSHA a few years ago about 20 mechanics being killed in a ten year period while working on struts.
Removing a spring off a strut can be very dangerous! The spring is strong enough to hold up the front end of a car, and is under a tremendous amount of tension. Even with the right tools and know-how, you can be seriously injured or killed doing it. I personally know of one pretty nasty injury and one big hole in a garage door from improperly removing springs off a strut.
Autozone and Advance will loan you a spring tool at no charge (just a deposit). Follow the manual and tool instructions. Make sure you aim both ends of the strut in a harmless direction, AND I MEAN IT! If the compressor tool slips or fails, that spring is going to go off like a cannon. If your head is in the way, your head is coming off too!
I bought a hydraulic compressor at Harbor Freight for $80 and it worked great.
I just thought of something..... I'll be changing out my front shocks/springs with z shocks/springs. Do they come out as one piece? Will I still need the compressor if the z springs are still on the shock? I'll be picking up the z suspension next week.
Oreillys sells strut spring compressors that connect to each rung with a U-Joint.
Here's a similar product:
it was $35, and I feel safer using it than the ones that they rent; however, I have to agree with the reviewer at Amazon, it does have a tendency to bind if you're not careful about centering the inner bolt.
Here's a similar product:
it was $35, and I feel safer using it than the ones that they rent; however, I have to agree with the reviewer at Amazon, it does have a tendency to bind if you're not careful about centering the inner bolt.
Oreillys sells strut spring compressors that connect to each rung with a U-Joint.
Here's a similar product: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015UWXIQ/...Q&linkCode=asn
it was $35, and I feel safer using it than the ones that they rent; however, I have to agree with the reviewer at Amazon, it does have a tendency to bind if you're not careful about centering the inner bolt.
Here's a similar product: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015UWXIQ/...Q&linkCode=asn
it was $35, and I feel safer using it than the ones that they rent; however, I have to agree with the reviewer at Amazon, it does have a tendency to bind if you're not careful about centering the inner bolt.
These are the worst set of spring compressors I've ever used. They take up way to much space on the outside of the spring. Because the force is not centered over the screw or balanced, the spring clamps and slider bind up on the screw making it very difficult to get this thing back off of the springs. I used them to compress some 620 LB springs and the spring brackets bent as did the large screw itself. I had to pound the thing apart with a hammer.
For cripes sake, Harbor Freight has a set for less than $12.00 and you can find them on sale for less than 10 sometimes.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3980
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3980
haha, like I said, it has a tendency to bind...but it's basic physics, and the reason other spring compressors being slipping upon compression...I spent a few hours playing with it after I bought it to figure out the correct way of using it so that I avoid binding.
My buddy, though....he tried using my compressor without my knowledge. A**hole nearly sheared the damn center bolt using an impact gun to loosen it. I swear, some people have no business around power tools.
I, like other people, recommend bringing the spring/strut assembly to a shop. They'll do it for you very cheaply. I don't think it's worth diy unless you have a friend helping you that's used a compressor b/f.
My buddy, though....he tried using my compressor without my knowledge. A**hole nearly sheared the damn center bolt using an impact gun to loosen it. I swear, some people have no business around power tools.
I, like other people, recommend bringing the spring/strut assembly to a shop. They'll do it for you very cheaply. I don't think it's worth diy unless you have a friend helping you that's used a compressor b/f.
For cripes sake, Harbor Freight has a set for less than $12.00 and you can find them on sale for less than 10 sometimes.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3980
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3980
damn. why didn't you tell me this earlier? coulda saved me 15 bucks
They are not "Snap On" quality, but they do the job. I got a 1/4" drive torque wrench in in/lbs there for less than $20. My latest find is an air powered brake bleeder. I had the whole system flushed and bled in less than 15 minutes!
I don't know the Z so I wasn't sure if it would be a direct swap out.
i wouldnt recommend the cheapo harbor freight ones. they're just too flex-y and poor quality. spend the extra money on at least the autozone/etc compressors. it'll save you time, and be a little bit more safer.
i've "rented" these and they worked great. no flex, and lots of room to work the springs.
i've "rented" these and they worked great. no flex, and lots of room to work the springs.
