Coil Spring compressors. Topic is solved

[scot850]

Any recommendations on these? I have a cheap set I tried to use today but they are too short (about 8" max extension). Couldn't get the spring compressed sufficiently to easily remove, and then couldn't get the compressors to extend sufficiently to remove from the springs. Then had a nightmare trying to re-assemble to be able to remove the compressors again as the 2 ends of the spring seemed to extend too much to prevent the star nut getting re-fitted.

Had to use a dodgy method of using a large set of G clamps to compress the spring top with the bearing plate to get it back together.

So I think I need a set that extends to 10-12" and have seen some with locking tabs for the spring to prevent them coming off during use. So suggestions?

Thanks,

Neil.

[tryingbe]

Personally, I like using the wall mount ones at my friend's shop.

http://cymun.info/wall-mount/wall-mount ... essor.html

I've used Autozone Rentals, those took forever to use.
Looks like http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Coil-Strut-Sp ... lP&vxp=mtr

I bought a harbor freight ones, those were useless and I returned them.
Looks like http://www.ebay.com/itm/OTC-6494-Clamsh ... SwvihY83bE


This looks pretty good.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-Duty-Hydr ... x8&vxp=mtr

[scot850]

With more space in my garage the wall mounted one would be great, but just have no wall space left to install one!

The last e-bay one again looks good but does not ship to Canada.

The basic ones I used were fine with the cordless impact gun I have and basically worked fine with the exception of they are too short for the front springs. I will go and have a look at a couple of tool stores ans see what they have.

I saw these and the frustrating thing is Canadian Tire also has a similar looking set, but neither say the length of the compressor rods!

If I ever get my workshop, I would entertain the floor or wall mounted units specifically as they are way safer to operate!

Thanks for the input, much appreciated!

Neil.

[precopster]

One goes right side up and the other upside down.
That's the only way to reach the hole for the 1/2 inch drive. I usually use a short 3 inch extension before the impact drill. Are you using an electric impact Neil? My Milwaukee does short work of this job. Always grease the threads before use.

I've done XC90, 850s, P80 V70s, P2 XC70s and P2 T5s and 2.4Ts using compressors that are the size you mention.

Just changed some spring seats on a 99 V70 last night using these:

[abscate]

I got one side of my 99 done wit h my decades old JCW compressors then realised I had dependents so I took my other strut to my indie and watched him use his wall mount, in 5 minutes.

There is a right tool for this job.

[precopster]

I recently spoke to a Volvo indie who was working on a Jaguar spring with compressors. The compressors slipped and injured his hand. He said that because the end of the spring was at a ridiculous angle this happened. He said he had done hundreds of Volvos with standard compressors however some safety precautions to be taken:

1). Wear eyewear (though even the eyewear itself can cause injury if thrust toward your face by a flying spring).

2). View and review the symmetry of the spring compressors in relation to each other before torquing them to avoid slippage.

3) Clean and grease the threads with each use. One piece of grit stuck in a thread can cause a broken bolt.

4) Run the threaded section of the spring holder up and down the thread with an impact gun before use to ensure the thread is burr free.

5) When torquing them have the spring point outward and headed in a direction that won't allow the spring to bounce back into you if the unit fails. Better the spring careers down the driveway than off your workbench leg and into your leg.

6) Store them wrapped in a clean rag when not in use to prevent contamination.

7) If a spring lets go, bounces off the ceiling and hits you in the cranium leaving a round indentation in the top of your skull you will now have a guide for salad bowl style hair cuts.

[theWIFES_S70]

I got one side of my 99 done wit h my decades old JCW compressors then realised I had dependents so I took my other strut to my indie and watched him use his wall mount, in 5 minutes.

There is a right tool for this job.

I'm saving up for this:



https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6494-Clamshe ... essor+tool

Overkill? Possibly. But it is your life after all.

[abscate]

How often are you guys doing struts? Having that tool is great, but I can't see beating taking struts off, then one hour of labor at the indie to do this for you.

[oragex]

The first advice would be to be careful not to get the cheapest chinese stuff. These must sustain tremendous force from compressed coil spring (think as coil springs are being compressed by the car weight as a comparison).

I'm just linking for the picture, not saying the quality of these is good: I worked with something similar and I didn't like them: hard to install and to work with.

aaaa.jpg (14.91 KiB) Viewed 2242 times

I now have these, a different model:

Easy to work with, I use two ratchets with sockets to turn both rods at once, I put a bit of grease on the rods near the lower hook so it's easier to turn. The hooks are a single parts, no welds. It looks sturdy to me. I see the same model sold on Ebay - surely some chinese stuff, no idea about the quality of the steel in those, and that is the main thing to pay attention to.

Here's are some tricks when using these compressors:

[PeteB]

Here is the big single action at HF, I used it and it worked but was a bit
scary at full compression. I always keep the strut pointing away from me:
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotiv ... 43753.html

I don't trust stuff from HF but it did work.