automotive spring compressors...what ya got ?

[James1979]

If I worked on more cars I’d treat myself to one of these

By the time you made one this work out cheaper

I hate cars. I won’t work on them except family and that’s under duress!

Smallest I go is light commercial and that’s transit sized. Do my own pickup but that’s it. If i did more cars id get that one. My hydraulic one is handy in that I can transport it or pack it away.

 

[DanZac]

I am not near workshop at moment and was hunting for a picture for you, (I can’t find one) and found this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17553576...RBRY5mxSPi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

If you have the floor space, for the price I’d just get that. Mine was cheap because I have the pump already. Mines basically the cups off this on a ram.

Has anyone got one of the e bay specials that @James1979 linked to above? If so is it any good?

I thought about getting one last time I took my life in my own hands with the cheap spring squashers and a ratchet strap, but couldn't decide what was more dangerous, my cobbled together bits or a cheap e bay disaster waiting to happen.

 

[stuvy]

Has anyone got one of the e bay specials that @James1979 linked to above? If so is it any good?

I thought about getting one last time I took my life in my own hands with the cheap spring squashers and a ratchet strap, but couldn't decide what was more dangerous, my cobbled together bits or a cheap e bay disaster waiting to happen.

I posted a link for a £100 one

 

[stuvy]

Has anyone got one of the e bay specials that @James1979 linked to above? If so is it any good?

I thought about getting one last time I took my life in my own hands with the cheap spring squashers and a ratchet strap, but couldn't decide what was more dangerous, my cobbled together bits or a cheap e bay disaster waiting to happen.

Pardon our interruption...

For that money I’d it needs improving you have the basics there

 

[James1979]

Pardon our interruption...

For that money I’d it needs improving you have the basics there

If it’s in your own workshop do what you want but I *think* that they need to be caged in a work setting now? Possibly operated without standing in front of it?

Maybe. That may be crap but I’m sure I was told it at one place i Worked for a bit.

Although that one has “good tightness” so it’s a pukka one

 

[stuvy]

If it’s in your own workshop do what you want but I *think* that they need to be caged in a work setting now? Possibly operated without standing in front of it?

Maybe. That may be crap but I’m sure I was told it at one place i Worked for a bit.

Although that one has “good tightness” so it’s a pukka one

I did see this one when looking

@DanZac might be safer long term

 

[stuvy]

Forgot to attach it

Sealey Coil Spring Compressor Restraint System RE2| at Zoro

Sealey - Coil Spring Compressor Restraint System available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

 

[graffian]

My uncles garage had a patch on the roof where a zod spring made a break for it.

I use the cheap hooks and lh/rh thread things, but I remember my dad borrowing something from the
local ambulance station mechanic and it was made from fabric webbing.

 

[Domdom]

Anything has to be better than this

 

[Mick Annick]

I hate cars. I won’t work on them except family and that’s under duress!

Smallest I go is light commercial and that’s transit sized. Do my own pickup but that’s it. If i did more cars id get that one. My hydraulic one is handy in that I can transport it or pack it away.

I was a very gobby little apprentice, I always kicked off if I was asked to service a company car or van, as I thought them beneath a truck mechanic such as I!
Luckily we had a couple of guys that were more than happy to do them, so much so that come the end of a five-year apprenticeship my knowledge of car mechanics would fit on the back of a postage stamp.

 

[Barking Mat]

I hate front suspension, usually buy the bits and get the local garage to change them.

Only job up to now I won't do.

 

[MetalMonkey]

For use with struts or springs or both?
This style will cover most situations

I have that style too - actually this one IIRC - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325268608538
But paid under 80 notes for it though, so it would be wise to shop around.

I used to use the old claw type and done plenty that way, but always a bit of a sketchy ring tightening experience with bits of rope tied on in case it got free.
Since getting that kit I've only had to use it a couple of times, but it turned the whole procedure into a complete anti-climax. Wish I'd bought one much earlier!

 

[Cobbler]

I hate front suspension, usually buy the bits and get the local garage to change them.

Only job up to now I won't do.

My Skoda broke a spring yesterday, booked it straight in to the garage. Whenever I’ve used spring compressors I have sigh of relief once the nut is back on the top of the strut, this time I thought no, sod it, I’ll pay.

 

[Barking Mat]

My Skoda broke a spring yesterday, booked it straight in to the garage. Whenever I’ve used spring compressors I have sigh of relief once the nut is back on the top of the strut, this time I thought no, sod it, I’ll pay.

I did it once with home made spring compressor things.

Never again, I said to myself, too much fear / stress.

 

[stuvy]

I’d rather use spring compressors then cutting a shackle off a leaf spring

Always hated this more

 

[jsf55]

Sealey pair and a cut down pair of ancient ones too cope with the jag rear shock springs i was for ever changing

 

[Nomad]

What car / suspension setup?

In the past I've stripped McPherson struts by removing the top nut while the car was still on the ground, then jack up the car slowly - eventually the car will be high enough to wriggle the spring out with almost no tension on it. Best take the wheel off the side you're not working on first otherwise you're fighting against the anti-roll bar with one wheel up and one down.
Handy for changing snapped springs when you're away from home with few tools but it's not my preferred way to do it.

Replacement is the reverse of the dismantling (to quote Mr Haynes, in practice - extend the shock fully before lowering the car to compress the new spring, careful use of straps or levers might be needed to get the shock to pass through the top mounting)

 

[m_c]

If you value your body/limbs/fingers, horseshoe style of some form.

The trade is full of tales of incidents involving the sets of threaded compressors.
One guy I went to college with witnessed his boss launch a spring through the window of a car, after they slipped.
I've had a couple minor incidents with them myself where they've slipped, but thankfully not let go.

I have one of the Sealey upright ones (I was posh and bought the one with the air pump ).
Work has a Sealey one, and the big enclosed pneumatic one that Butts of Bawtry supply.
I still prefer the Sealey one, unless it's a big spring (aka something of a big van)

 

[armalites]

I've got a Sealey hydraulic unit, it is a great tool. Don't use it that often but it saves so much time and effort when I do.

 

[winchman]

Local garage has a proper machine for them charges me £10, saves me buying and storing it, but its only 100 yards away