What Spring Compressors Do You Use?

[benl1981]

Just changing my front shocks - dropped down the new and old to be swapped at the local mechanic. I.e I took the shock dpring assemblies out of car so car sitting here shockless..

I've been waiting for a day or 2 now and was wondering whether I should invest in a spring compressor??

Always been scared of horror stories with these. Are there any that are around $50 that are safe?

Edited March 14, 2006 by benl1981

[blind_elk]

I just went to my local Autobarn and bought whatever they had. Seem to work OK.

Only problem I've ever had is that they tend to twist along the coil - just keep an eye on them and keep them parallel as best you can.

The horror stories would come from not using them - simply undoing the top nut while the spring is under compression, parts shoot off everywhere.

[Scooby]

i'm not a fan of the the autobarn etc ones as they twist and somtimes don't grab 100% due to the angle of the taper on some springs. and they're just awkward and take forever. for $175 most industrial tool places will sell you a big ass thing on a stand that locks the whole assembly in clamps and has a hydraulic ram that compresses the spring using a foot pump. very weapons grade and not expensive compared to what a lot of places charge for r and r of springs etc. huge convenience factor if you change springs a bit and if you share the cost with 3 mates it's peanuts.

[Sydneykid]

We have a spring compressor like Scooby described in the workshop, it's a great thing when you need to swap springs many time a day. Or if you are doing Mercedes springs with tonnes of pre-load. It's an overkill for a home garage where you might do one set of springs a year. Particulary on a Skyline that has very little pre-load in comparison.

I have a pair of $25 spring compressors that I bought from SupaCheap a couple of years ago. Carefully used, they have done over 10 sets of Skyline springs without a problem. I just make sure I keep myself out of the firing line.

cheers

Edited March 15, 2006 by Sydneykid

[benl1981]

Hey guys - thanks.

I just borrowed some from my local mechanic - so heopefully won't injure myself!!

[Mik]

Hey guys - thanks.

I just borrowed some from my local mechanic - so heopefully won't injure myself!!

A mate of mine had a set of super cheap spring compressors braeak on him...not a pretty sight. As a general rule, I avoid placing my life in the hands of anything Chinese.

[benl1981]

A mate of mine had a set of super cheap spring compressors braeak on him...not a pretty sight. As a general rule, I avoid placing my life in the hands of anything Chinese.

Scary shit - is he ok>???????

[benl1981]

The bottom is free now - I can twist it, however the top seems to still be under a bit of tension. I guess cause I didn't grasp it close enough to the top.

Will this give a bit of impact as I loosen off the remainder of the top bolt..or make it harder to put the compressed spring on the new shock??

http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img00334iy.jpg

Edited March 15, 2006 by benl1981

[benl1981]

I found it to be ok - got one off..its all good so far. cheers

[benl1981]

Do shocks need priming before assembly or does that occur when you drive down the road...

?

Almost done..just trying to figure out how to attach the new dust boots...

[Mik]

Scary shit - is he ok>???????

Yep...he was lucky. Put a nice hole in the roller door though

[benl1981]

one more to do - fingers crossed.

Do i need to prime the shocks?

[benl1981]

Job done. Thanks all. Have to take it for a drive in the morning to see the differerence.

The old shocks once fully compressed take about 10-15 seconds or more to fully extend. The new ones are about 3 seconds I think..

Does this seem about right??