Coil spring compressor questions

65cpe69mach1 · Aug 6, 2004

I have a coil spring compressor and ran into a problem using it for the first time. How do you keep the tool centered in the coil and not have it slip to one side of the coil and thereby arcing the coil spring?

Also, how do you use it on a new spring that you need to install for the first time? Clamp the coil in a vise?

NorCal66 · Aug 6, 2004

1.) there should be two long arms and two short arms (im assuming this is an inside type). On one side have the long arm up top and the short arm on the bottom and vice-versa on the other side.

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if that makes any sense. Ugh I can't get my little drawing to work... say { is a long arm and ; is a short arm.

2.) I don't know what # springs you're putting in, but just to save you a headache, 620#s can be put in without the compressor.

Good luck.

jim7485 · Aug 6, 2004

Does your spring compressor look like this????

I think this is the best kind to use. You gotta wrench on it from under the hood, but it seems to stay in place really well.

jim-

skywalker · Aug 7, 2004

best type, is this clamshell deal. Go to your local autozone. Find a guy in there who knows his stuff and he will know what you're talking about. It will not move.and is easy to put on.

65cpe69mach1 · Aug 7, 2004

jim7485
Ys thats it. Mine didn't come with that spacer sleeve so I went and used 3/4" grade 8 nuts instead.

Are you guys saying to have a long and short arm on each side? Such as one side has long arm on top and short directly below?

Ozsum2 · Aug 7, 2004

65cpe69mach1 said:
jim7485
Ys thats it. Mine didn't come with that spacer sleeve so I went and used 3/4" grade 8 nuts instead.

Are you guys saying to have a long and short arm on each side? Such as one side has long arm on top and short directly below?

Yes. Mine didn't come with the spacer either, so I used a piece of water pipe to get the job done before it ran out of threads.

jim7485 · Aug 7, 2004

65cpe69mach1 said:
jim7485
Ys thats it. Mine didn't come with that spacer sleeve so I went and used 3/4" grade 8 nuts instead.

Are you guys saying to have a long and short arm on each side? Such as one side has long arm on top and short directly below?

I was not concerned with the alignment, it just sort of fell into place. The arms are one short, one long on top and bottom. They allow for alignment to match the uneven curve of the spring.
jim

6Stang7 · Aug 7, 2004

Do yourself a safety favor and get a chain that you can wrap around the spring when it is compressed and lock together. I am almost lost fingers, legs, and my life from crappy spring compressors giving out. Compressing a 620lb spring even an inch builds up a lot of force. Be careful.

Hack · Aug 7, 2004

jim7485 said:
Does your spring compressor look like this????

I think this is the best kind to use. You gotta wrench on it from under the hood, but it seems to stay in place really well.

jim-

Wow, no wonder it sucked so bad using the spring compressor I had! I had to disassemble it and reassemble inside the spring, then turn about 30 degrees at a time with an open end wrench.

Imagine several hours' time to compress one spring. It was nasty bad.

xoxbxfx · Aug 8, 2004

Hack said:
Wow, no wonder it sucked so bad using the spring compressor I had! I had to disassemble it and reassemble inside the spring, then turn about 30 degrees at a time with an open end wrench.

Imagine several hours' time to compress one spring. It was nasty bad.

impact gun is your friend

67coupestang · Aug 9, 2004

ouch.... bad idea

Ozsum2 · Aug 9, 2004

67coupestang said:
ouch.... bad idea

I agree. Compressing springs is best done under control and I like the chain idea. I use an old dog chain.

Max Power · Aug 9, 2004

The clamshell type is the best, IMO. It uses the top of the shock tower as a mount and two hooks on the other end. Far mor stable and you aren't screwing around with spacers.

Well I have heard from many people that you shouldn't use an impact on it, I can tell you that 99% of professional mechanics use an impact all the time.

Adjust the air pressure to a lower torgue, and applying the impact in a contolled manner eliminate most of the risk. Also positioning your body away from the wheelwell while compressing is a wise idea.

65cpe69mach1 · Aug 9, 2004

Ozsum2 said:
I agree. Compressing springs is best done under control and I like the chain idea. I use an old dog chain.

How exactly do you use the chain?

Ozsum2 · Aug 9, 2004

65cpe69mach1 said:
How exactly do you use the chain?

I don't "screw" with spacers. I use one to engage the apperatise more quickly to get the job done quickly. The chain is wrapped through the compressed spring, to keep it from disembowling you should the compressor fail.

65cpe69mach1 · Aug 9, 2004

Ozsum2 said:
I don't "screw" with spacers. I use one to engage the apperatise more quickly to get the job done quickly.

How do you get the spring compressor to work without spacers?
I tried it without any spacers and the end of the threaded shaft was bottoming out on the spring perch before the spring was compressed enought to remove. Thats why Iended up using grade "8" 3/4" nuts as spacers.

Ozsum2 · Aug 9, 2004

65cpe69mach1 said:
How do you get the spring compressor to work without spacers?
I tried it without any spacers and the end of the threaded shaft was bottoming out on the spring perch before the spring was compressed enought to remove. Thats why Iended up using grade "8" 3/4" nuts as spacers.

NO. One guy said he didn't screw with spacer and I was mocking him saying I don't either. I use a spacer to do exactly what you said.

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