DaleMX

iTrader: (4)

I bought one of the econo In. Lb. torque wrenchs from Harbor and it turned out to be a real nice piece. I has a 1/4 inch drive, but a 1/4 to 3/8 adaptor makes it a great tool to have with an LS1. Also got a Coil Spring Compressor from them that stripped out the first time I used it (very scary!). Ended up using some home depot threaded rod and some coupling bolts which was much tougher than the china rod and nut. Yea I oiled it before I used it, but it stripped out at about 300 lbs of pressure (compressed about 2 inchs).

Dope

iTrader: (2)

That's scary to hear. I swapped my springs twice with my cheapo harbor freight compressor. I had to compress those springs a LOT too! They were bending kinda scarily too...*shudder*

Dope

Brains

iTrader: (7)

I used a rental compressor from Autozone once, and while compressing an Eibach spring it let loose on me. Slid around the spring, bent the "safety hooks" like they weren't even there, ejected one of the spring compressors and subsequently broke the bone in the tip of my thumb into 4 pieces. Oh yeah, sliced my thumb from the tip to the first knuckle. I cursed a bit, taped up my thumb and finished the job. Got it stitched up later at the ER, and all is well. I've since acquired a compressor that positively retains the spring with no chance of it getting loose. Don't want a repeat

DaleMX

iTrader: (4)

I like the idea of a rope or chain to hold it. It was very scary puting the springs in. Next time I'll secure the spring after its compressed. That thing would have cut my head off if it let go while I was manipulating it.

gMAG

iTrader: (1)

I always tie a sturdy rope between the spring and an anchored source (undercarriage), with just enough rope slack to keep the spring away from ME if the compressor lets go. There's enough power stored there to crush your hand. Some shops use a booth to contain a launched spring/compressor.

Cal

iTrader: (1)

Spring compressors are not a good thing to take shortcuts on. There is a good one that has u-bolts to hold the spring; can't remeber who makes it but I'll try to post it up later.

Cal

iTrader: (1)

OK it's a Lisle P/N 62300 McPherson Strut Tool, but it works great on fbody front springs. "Atach clamps 5 coils apart."

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Craftsman has a decent one, made of steel and not aluminum for about $39....