I've got the top mounts to change on my Berlingo struts. I don't like spring clamps, they scare me. I've been looking at the homemade wall mounted lever type that you sit on and use your body weight to compress the spring whilst releasing the top but. Anyone made one? Got any pics?
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Melvyn Best
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Do you like hospital food? If you haven’t got a decent spring compressor have a word with your local friendly garage , it’s not worth the risk when changing springs and French suspension springs seem worse than others
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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I bought a hydraulic one from Machine Mart to do the springs on our Berlingo, I had springs break on 3 separate occasions and it has been used for others as well by my nephew so I think it was worth it.
Alan Reynolds
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My cleaner at work used to help out part time in a garage. He had his own tools and used his Sykes Pickavant spring compressors which he'd had for years to do a suspension unit in the vice. He had his face over the to of the unit when to tabs suddenly let go and he got the full force of the spring in his face. It did extensive damage and he was off for months. He came back but neither him of his face were ever the same again. So do take every precaution with these things as they are lethal. It's well worth just getting popping them down to the garage to change them.
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
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If you are going to do it that way I would first install a sunroof into the garage roof
and set up some sort of video recording system.
Edward Teach
pre-moderated
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I use two sets of these.
The dodgiest one I have done, was on a Citroen Relay LWB.
I usually lay the strut on the floor, and work beside it, not in the firing line
Draper N144 250mm Pair Coil Spring Compressors - Machine Mart - Machine Mart
The dodgiest one I have done, was on a Citroen Relay LWB.
I usually lay the strut on the floor, and work beside it, not in the firing line
Draper N144 250mm Pair Coil Spring Compressors - Machine Mart - Machine Mart
Crikey. Either Berlingos are very lightweight, or there are some very heavy people about!
If professional spring camps worry you, homemade ones will surely be worse?
Munkul
Jack of some trades, Master of none
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I like those type a lot better than the double-lugged ones. The double-lugged ones never seem to quite fit properly.I use two sets of these.
The dodgiest one I have done, was on a Citroen Relay LWB.
I usually lay the strut on the floor, and work beside it, not in the firing line
Draper N144 250mm Pair Coil Spring Compressors - Machine Mart - Machine Mart
View attachment 281677
I also agree with the two sets approach where possible. That, and a healthy amount of caution...
There's a universal rule for risky fitting practices - "never stand in the firing line!"
Edward Teach
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Replacing broken coil springs is quite a common occurrence these days.
octo0072000
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add a couple of these as well as spring compressors or some rope
stops the spring flying about and as said keep out of the firing line
stops the spring flying about and as said keep out of the firing line
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Well, wasn't expecting some of these replies. The type I will make will be 10 times safer than the clamp type! It's basically a square frame pivoted to move up and down at the wall, a long lever handle welded to the square. You sit on the handle, to load the spring, release the nut and remove yourself from the seat, easy safe and no sunroof or hospital food required!!!
slim_boy_fat
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^^ Let us know how you get on.
My Old Landy
Engineering Mayhem
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Wow, I must be the luckiest chap alive! I have used the double clamp type for years. I changed all four springs on my 90 with them. I compress the springs by loading the suspension (jacking up the opposite corner) and add the clamps. I then let the other side down and I am no where near the spring as it stresses the clamp. Remove spring and jobs a good one 
take care and the proper precautions/working practice and they are fine.
Removing the clamps I also use a blanket over them but I haven't had one let go
take care and the proper precautions/working practice and they are fine.Removing the clamps I also use a blanket over them but I haven't had one let go
Cobbler
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I did a front strut on my old Volvo with rope. I wound rope many times around the coils & got someone to sit on the wing. While the spring was compressed pulled in the slack on the rope & tied it off. When I did it I found it was the easiest I’d ever done one.
I use these mounted in a home made frame;
Draper N1000B Coil Spring Compressor Kit - Machine Mart - Machine Mart
Draper N1000B Coil Spring Compressor Kit - Machine Mart - Machine Mart
Pigeon_Droppings2
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Get the descent ones with the locking pin that stops the spring from slipping out....and don't point either end towards your body!
I have one of these for Merc springs, a generic 'Klann type'. Just how cheap these have become..? yep, it's one of those red boxes.
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This telescopic spring compressor for universal use has a specially designed non-slip, three pronged arm feature for maximum grip. This kit makes it possible to remove and replace the coil springs on the wishbone without dismantling the axle, thus saving valuable time and money. Also suitable...
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Pigeon_Droppings2
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Mine are a bit like these....notice the pins which slip under the spring. I don't like the generic "double finger" types....generally the fingers never really fit on the springs I find so you are kind of just hoping that they keep hold!
Powerbuilt 648627 Strut Spring Compressor Kit: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
Powerbuilt 648627 Strut Spring Compressor Kit: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
