Where to buy spring compressors
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
I confess: I have never done a front spring/shock swap.
Since these pups carry a few tons of weight around all day, I assume the swap is somewhat risky if the compressing tool gives up and the spring comes your way in a hurry.
Is this dangerous? Are there any standard precautions like asking your worst enemy to do the job for you?
Since these pups carry a few tons of weight around all day, I assume the swap is somewhat risky if the compressing tool gives up and the spring comes your way in a hurry.
Is this dangerous? Are there any standard precautions like asking your worst enemy to do the job for you?
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: CA
Rent strut/spring compressor from Autozone- FREE. Theres no harm... a long as u take ur time and compress evenly, and release evenly. Hope u dont live in snow or near the beach- took me about 5 days (bc of school work, etc.) to do mine- Both nuts rusted; had to cut through em in the end... managed to salvage the shock tho.... good luck!
I was just looking at an external spring compressor at Sears the other day. The quality looked pretty good. Didn't notice the price though.
With a good compressor it's not really to dangerous. Just don't have the top of the spring pointing at you or anyone else when your unbolting it. The last two times I swapped them I just impacted them off with no compressor, with the stock springs I highly reccomend not doing that. It made for a good show though.
With a good compressor it's not really to dangerous. Just don't have the top of the spring pointing at you or anyone else when your unbolting it. The last two times I swapped them I just impacted them off with no compressor, with the stock springs I highly reccomend not doing that. It made for a good show though.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Compstall:
So I have two sets of spring compressors from HF. Have you used these? I am concerned that the threaded rod is not hardened. Some of the other HF pullers I have used from them suk.
Are these OK to use?
So I have two sets of spring compressors from HF. Have you used these? I am concerned that the threaded rod is not hardened. Some of the other HF pullers I have used from them suk.
Are these OK to use?
I've never had problems w/ my Harbor Freight cheapie. I've used it on 4 different cars myself, and loaned it out a few times too.
And to answer your other question, yes that stupid nut rusts out. The cup up on top of the upper strut mount traps dirt and water and the nut just sits in there basting in all the grunge. I have a write up on my experience in my sig. Anyway, not only does the nut rust in there, the metal sleeve that the strut rod slides into (within the upper rubber cushion) also rusted itself solid on the strut rod. I used hammers and everything to get it to budge, I even let the spring compressor off it and hammered on it and it wouldn't come off!
I ended up re-tightening the spring compressor down on it and cutting, banging, gouging, Dremel'ing, whatever it took to get the upper mount off the strut. The upper mount was destroyed, and I had to get a new one. I think dealer price on a new one is ~$90, and most dealers don't have these things in stock. I got lucky and got an entire strut assembly off a car in a local junkyard for $20. For some reason that one popped right off.
Good luck.
And to answer your other question, yes that stupid nut rusts out. The cup up on top of the upper strut mount traps dirt and water and the nut just sits in there basting in all the grunge. I have a write up on my experience in my sig. Anyway, not only does the nut rust in there, the metal sleeve that the strut rod slides into (within the upper rubber cushion) also rusted itself solid on the strut rod. I used hammers and everything to get it to budge, I even let the spring compressor off it and hammered on it and it wouldn't come off!
I ended up re-tightening the spring compressor down on it and cutting, banging, gouging, Dremel'ing, whatever it took to get the upper mount off the strut. The upper mount was destroyed, and I had to get a new one. I think dealer price on a new one is ~$90, and most dealers don't have these things in stock. I got lucky and got an entire strut assembly off a car in a local junkyard for $20. For some reason that one popped right off.
Good luck.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Highly recommend renting from Autozone. Their spring compressors worked best for me.
With Air compressor/impact wrench I did all 4 corners in my BMW in about 5 hours. Use glasses and point spring away.
This is kind of tool that you won't need anymore. Just like brake service kit for rear brakes...
With Air compressor/impact wrench I did all 4 corners in my BMW in about 5 hours. Use glasses and point spring away.
This is kind of tool that you won't need anymore. Just like brake service kit for rear brakes...
