Strut spring compressor

[CompoSimmonite]

In mid 70's I cleared the heavy snowfall off the drive and was changing the shocks on my Triumph when a spring retaining collect decided to "ping" off somewhere. I ended up going though all the piles of snow until I found it - simple job took hours

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I once lost the spring off my brake calipers (those funny shaped springs with the upturned ends)....I searched everywhere in the garage....up and down the garden....spent hours looking for it as I needed the car back on the road (of course it was a Sunday so everywhere was closed!).

Gave up....packed away ....got cleaned up....putting my shoes away I noticed the spring was stuck in my shoe!

 

[beebee]

Berlingo front springs are not nice to do, I did some on a berlingo van a few years ago. The springs are stupidly long & had to be compressed to at least half of their free length to get the the new ones on. !

 

[striker]

Berlingo front springs are not nice to do, I did some on a berlingo van a few years ago. The springs are stupidly long & had to be compressed to at least half of their free length to get the the new ones on. !

Yeah, I've read that. If using spring clamps, they need to be long ones apparently.

 

[Melvyn Best]

easy safe and no sunroof or hospital food required!!!

Google Image Result for https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RExQGwtNzlc/maxresdefault.jpg

Famous last words

 

[striker]

Famous last words

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

I know to be careful, I'm a time served fitter. Should we not weld anything in case we burn our workshops down? Not use our lathes in case we wrap ourselves around them? This forum is a place to discuss and advise on our hobby which can be dangerous, but with care and concentration most of us manage to achieve things without killing ourselves.

 

[msmbus2000]

wouldn't use hand clamps rather fit a 2nd hand unit. hydraulic compressor all the way especially with mercs and bmw

 

[Melvyn Best]

Road springs aren’t like valve springs that you can compress easily

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

I know to be careful, I'm a time served fitter. Should we not weld anything in case we burn our workshops down? Not use our lathes in case we wrap ourselves around them? This forum is a place to discuss and advise on our hobby which can be dangerous, but with care and concentration most of us manage to achieve things without killing ourselves.

Road springs aren’t like valve springs that are easily compressed . As for using your body weight to hold one compressed you will have to use a very long lever, if that’s the case how are you going to get close enough to remove the retaining nut , top mount etc let alone reassembling them? Road springs take no prisowners! I worked with a guy who would walk out of the workshop if any springs were being changed as they gave him nightmares due to witnessing a former workmate being killed by an escaping spring. It’s your life and limb at risk so carry on.

 

[doubleboost]

2 things really scare me
Coil springs and the Wife

 

[striker]

Road springs aren’t like valve springs that you can compress easily

Road springs aren’t like valve springs that are easily compressed . As for using your body weight to hold one compressed you will have to use a very long lever, if that’s the case how are you going to get close enough to remove the retaining nut , top mount etc let alone reassembling them? Road springs take no prisowners! I worked with a guy who would walk out of the workshop if any springs were being changed as they gave him nightmares due to witnessing a former workmate being killed by an escaping spring. It’s your life and limb at risk so carry on.

Have you watched the you tube videos? If I can't compress the spring enough to take the load off the top mount, then obviously I wouldn't remove the nut.

 

[pedrobedro]

Berlingo front springs are not nice to do, I did some on a berlingo van a few years ago. The springs are stupidly long & had to be compressed to at least half of their free length to get the the new ones on. !

This is the thing with Berlingo springs as the original poster will find and is the reason I spent £110 on a hydraulic compressor with plenty of adjustment. We've done Fiesta and similar springs with no problem but the Berlingo ones need some thought and preparation to get them down enough to get the strut fitted. A friend of a friend spent three days in hospital when one let go and hit him in the forehead with screw type and never found the one that let go.

 

[SierraV6]

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

I have some similar ones but they have a hook that goes under the spring which is then tightened up so there’s no way they can slip off.

Springs are one of those things that clearly can be dangerous if you don’t think about what you’re doing but to be honest I’ve never had an issue with them. On long springs I’ve had to use two pairs before but you just need to take your time and remember to wind each compressor up evenly!

 

[bricol]

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!!!

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I wouldn't say that particular one is safer - the spring/shock can easily slip out and release the spring in an uncontrolled manner. Having to lean towards it to undo the nut would worry me.

I use normal spring clamps, one of them lightly clamped in the vice, so the strut/shock is horizontal, the other clamp on the top. Wind each clamp evenly with a two ratcheting ring spanners. If either start to slip, unwind and start again. If anything comes free under tension, then I have room to step back and the spring should go 90 degree to my path. At no point am I leaning over spring waiting to go off - my hands are as clear of it as I can get them - spend minimal amount of time with fingers in the firing line getting collects and mounts out of the way.

I have released the top nut of struts with it still in the car, then slowly jacked the car up to release the spring - and carefully, done the reverse to put it back together.

 

[James1979]

The newer wall mounted ones seem to have a cage affair around them so there is probably some sort of recommendation regarding that also

 

[My Old Landy]

I have released the top nut of struts with it still in the car, then slowly jacked the car up to release the spring - and carefully, done the reverse to put it back together.

I did that on an Astra before I got my present clamps. It works well when taking care.