Can someone recommend a spring compressor?

iBilinTuc · 06-24-2005, 11:07 AM

I've had it with those cheap twin all-thread jobies. Has anyone had experience with a coil spring compressor that actually works and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I'm thinking $100ish.

I see a couple models on Harbor Freight's website, but know nothing other than ad info about them; they may be okay and then they could be junk. Don't want to pay $100 + shipping to to find out the latter.

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964runner · 06-24-2005, 11:37 AM

rent from kragen

94x4 · 06-26-2005, 02:02 AM

"Bar Clamps" from Home Depot, Harbour Frieght, Lowes, or some other building material or tool supply place.
Cheap as all getout and work just as well as a specially machined, high dollar "spring compressor".

waskillywabbit · 06-26-2005, 04:57 AM

I got mine from SEARS. They are Craftsman and cost about $40. They work fine, slow, but fine. Just take your junk to the local garage and have them put the coilover together w/ their hydraulic spring compressor. Can't be too $$$ as it won't take them 5 minutes.

FilthyRich · 06-26-2005, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBilinTuc

I've had it with those cheap twin all-thread jobies. Has anyone had experience with a coil spring compressor that actually works and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I'm thinking $100ish.

I see a couple models on Harbor Freight's website, but know nothing other than ad info about them; they may be okay and then they could be junk. Don't want to pay $100 + shipping to to find out the latter.

where are you located???

Waskily has the best idea, take them out and done to a local Midas or the like. $15-20 bucks and you have your new assembly. Re-install, get an alignment and DONE

MTL_4runner · 06-27-2005, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilthyRich

where are you located???

Waskily has the best idea, take them out and done to a local Midas or the like. $15-20 bucks and you have your new assembly. Re-install, get an alignment and DONE

I third that idea....if they are struts, just pay the $20 and have them do it right in about 5-10 min.
Plus they will zip the nuts on with an impact so you won't need to fight with the shock turning as well.
Well worth the $$$$ for the few times you'll do it.

.....if you are doing rears, then almost any standard compressor will do.

bmwpower · 06-27-2005, 07:55 AM

I took mine to Pep Boys and regret doing so. Mechanics there get paid kudos for doing larger, more expensive jobs. When they see a guy walk in with springs and struts, they head for the hills. As such, when the guy did mine, he forgot to put the parts back in the proper sequence, so I ended up missing a washer from both sides. I didn't find out until it was too late.

After, yet again saying "screw it" to mechanics who can't do their job, I bought a spring compressor from Snap-on. It was $68 if I remember correctly. Their site is down now, but when it comes back up I'll post the link.

Bluto · 06-27-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwpower

After, yet again saying "screw it" to mechanics who can't do their job, I bought a spring compressor from Snap-on. It was $68 if I remember correctly. Their site is down now, but when it comes back up I'll post the link.

Compressor, MacPherson Spring?

Better quality than Sears?

bmwpower · 06-27-2005, 01:26 PM

That's the one from Snap-on. It's cheaper than I thought.

Something to keep in mind...make sure the one you get can handle being used with an impact gun. I believe the Snap-on one can be used with an impact. Not sure about the Craftsman. The Snap-on looks much better quality, IMHO.

If someone wants picts, let me know I'll put some up.

Mickdady · 06-27-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBilinTuc

I've had it with those cheap twin all-thread jobies. Has anyone had experience with a coil spring compressor that actually works and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I'm thinking $100ish.

I see a couple models on Harbor Freight's website, but know nothing other than ad info about them; they may be okay and then they could be junk. Don't want to pay $100 + shipping to to find out the latter.

If you value your life, stay away from the harbor freight compressors.

I got mine off E-bay. I can't remember the brand but it is pretty high quality. I paid $29

FilthyRich · 06-27-2005, 02:57 PM

A bit more than oyu are porbably trying to spend, but it DOES get the job done quickly and safely.
http://yotatech.com/showthread.php?t...hlight=branick

Bluto · 06-27-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwpower

That's the one from Snap-on. It's cheaper than I thought.

Something to keep in mind...make sure the one you get can handle being used with an impact gun. I believe the Snap-on one can be used with an impact. Not sure about the Craftsman. The Snap-on looks much better quality, IMHO.

If someone wants picts, let me know I'll put some up.

I'd like pics if possible. Are the Snap-on nice to use? The Craftsman don't sound like the best quality, and could be dangerous. I have XREAS and don't want a shop to touch it. The wall-mount is sweet. But I'd pick up coilovers for that $$$.

waskillywabbit · 06-27-2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

I'd like pics if possible. Are the Snap-on nice to use? The Craftsman don't sound like the best quality, and could be dangerous. I have XREAS and don't want a shop to touch it. The wall-mount is sweet. But I'd pick up coilovers for that $$$.

Craftsman work fine as I loaded up 882s on them more than once and 881s several times. It is usually the operator that is dangerous.

Jeffires · 06-27-2005, 07:11 PM

A buddy of mine had a fingernal ripped out a few weeks ago- I'm never using internal spring compressors again. We were being careful and using it correctly and it slipped loose. We were working on Chevrolet coils, which require an internal compressor. I know most struts can take an external compressor, which seems more safe. If I can't get it with an external, I'm going to a spring shop.

iBilinTuc · 06-27-2005, 07:22 PM

Yes, pictures would be good, bmwpower. And also yes, the harbour freight $13 special was what I had. The all-thread bowed under load. the nuts then binded. After I had the shock mounted, I could not get the "bolts" to loosen. Ended up wrapping rags around the whole thing to dampen the flying parts and had to cut the compressor bolts. That was exciting to say the least.

I was looking at the $130 dollar hydraulic compressor that harbour freight offers online. It is a floor mount vertical unit. Is that the one I should avoid if I value my life? The bottom part of it looks like it could work, but I'm not sure about the top part that mounts to the spring. I looks flimsy.

rocket · 06-27-2005, 08:02 PM

I need a compressor ASAP so rather than start a new thread im gonna semi-hijack.

iBilinTuc, heres a bad boy http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ayphotohosting
its more than id pay.
maybe this one...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=63700

Does the Harbor Freight compressor your speaking of look anything like these...

1. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=35625

2. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=35625

3. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=35625

4. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...526055541&rd=1

For those of you that know....are any of the ones i listed (1-4) junk or worth getting for ocassional jobs?
Which one is best? I need to buy/bid tonight.

iBilinTuc · 06-28-2005, 04:33 AM

Rocket, The model that I had problems with is like the one shown in #2. The bolts are actually all-thread with nuts spot-welded onto them to serve as bolt heads. One these "bolt-heads" twisted loose. The all-thread metal was too soft and would bend (or bow) as the load increased; the hooks began to act as levers.

The model that I am looking at from Harbour Freight looks like the second eBay "bad-boy" you have linked. It is this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45860

Let me know what you end up with.

bmwpower · 06-28-2005, 06:39 AM

I would not get that one from Harbor Freight. The design is questionable. Looks like cheap stamped steel and regular (unhardened) bolts. How that arm at the top stays in place under tons of force is beyond me.

iBilinTuc · 06-28-2005, 09:12 AM

The arm at the top - yes - that is my concern. The bottom looks like it can supply the umph, but the top looks like it WILL bend.

Crux · 06-28-2005, 02:21 PM

I just used mcpherson one's from Sears. Worked fine.
You can kinda see it in this pic I took awhile back of the assembly order

06-27-2005, 07:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jeffires Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 682	A buddy of mine had a fingernal ripped out a few weeks ago- I'm never using internal spring compressors again. We were being careful and using it correctly and it slipped loose. We were working on Chevrolet coils, which require an internal compressor. I know most struts can take an external compressor, which seems more safe. If I can't get it with an external, I'm going to a spring shop. __________________ -Jeff- '91 4WD P/U 3VZE A340H , 197K K&N air ] Optima ] Flex-a-Lite fan ] FloPro exhaust ] ISR Mod ] Warn M8000 ] Powertrax lockers ] Swaybar Discos ] KC Lighting ] Premier MP3 - Pioneer highs/mids - RF DVC 12/ RF 360a² ] Garmin GPSMap60C Photo Album MySpace La Nouvelle-Orléans 'da Ragin Cajun

06-27-2005, 08:02 PM	#16 (permalink)
rocket Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,670	I need a compressor ASAP so rather than start a new thread im gonna semi-hijack. iBilinTuc, heres a bad boy http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ayphotohosting its more than id pay. maybe this one... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=63700 Does the Harbor Freight compressor your speaking of look anything like these... 1. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=35625 2. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=35625 3. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=35625 4. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...526055541&rd=1 For those of you that know....are any of the ones i listed (1-4) junk or worth getting for ocassional jobs? Which one is best? I need to buy/bid tonight. __________________ '96-'02 gone: '92

06-28-2005, 02:21 PM	#20 (permalink)
Crux Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 842	I just used mcpherson one's from Sears. Worked fine. You can kinda see it in this pic I took awhile back of the assembly order __________________ 97 4Runner SR5 Blue - 135k miles, E-Locker, Armorology front/rear bumpers & sliders, BudBuilt skidplate+belly, MTR 285/75/16s, 2" Tundra/OME Lift, 1" 4Crawler Bodylift, 1" diff drop, Black Aluminum Wheels, Cobra CB 04 Land Cruiser Grey - 90k miles, OME Lift, Slee Sliders, 35" Toyo Muds

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06-24-2005, 11:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
964runner Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Castro Valley, CA Posts: 340	rent from kragen

06-26-2005, 02:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
94x4 Guest Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,422	"Bar Clamps" from Home Depot, Harbour Frieght, Lowes, or some other building material or tool supply place. Cheap as all getout and work just as well as a specially machined, high dollar "spring compressor".

06-26-2005, 04:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Banned Vendor Sales Rating: (10) Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 26,699	I got mine from SEARS. They are Craftsman and cost about $40. They work fine, slow, but fine. Just take your junk to the local garage and have them put the coilover together w/ their hydraulic spring compressor. Can't be too $$$ as it won't take them 5 minutes.

06-27-2005, 07:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
bmwpower Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 59	I took mine to Pep Boys and regret doing so. Mechanics there get paid kudos for doing larger, more expensive jobs. When they see a guy walk in with springs and struts, they head for the hills. As such, when the guy did mine, he forgot to put the parts back in the proper sequence, so I ended up missing a washer from both sides. I didn't find out until it was too late. After, yet again saying "screw it" to mechanics who can't do their job, I bought a spring compressor from Snap-on. It was $68 if I remember correctly. Their site is down now, but when it comes back up I'll post the link.

06-27-2005, 01:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
bmwpower Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 59	That's the one from Snap-on. It's cheaper than I thought. Something to keep in mind...make sure the one you get can handle being used with an impact gun. I believe the Snap-on one can be used with an impact. Not sure about the Craftsman. The Snap-on looks much better quality, IMHO. If someone wants picts, let me know I'll put some up.

06-27-2005, 07:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
iBilinTuc Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 35	Yes, pictures would be good, bmwpower. And also yes, the harbour freight $13 special was what I had. The all-thread bowed under load. the nuts then binded. After I had the shock mounted, I could not get the "bolts" to loosen. Ended up wrapping rags around the whole thing to dampen the flying parts and had to cut the compressor bolts. That was exciting to say the least. I was looking at the $130 dollar hydraulic compressor that harbour freight offers online. It is a floor mount vertical unit. Is that the one I should avoid if I value my life? The bottom part of it looks like it could work, but I'm not sure about the top part that mounts to the spring. I looks flimsy.

06-28-2005, 04:33 AM	#17 (permalink)
iBilinTuc Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 35	Rocket, The model that I had problems with is like the one shown in #2. The bolts are actually all-thread with nuts spot-welded onto them to serve as bolt heads. One these "bolt-heads" twisted loose. The all-thread metal was too soft and would bend (or bow) as the load increased; the hooks began to act as levers. The model that I am looking at from Harbour Freight looks like the second eBay "bad-boy" you have linked. It is this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45860 Let me know what you end up with.

06-28-2005, 09:12 AM	#19 (permalink)
iBilinTuc Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 35	The arm at the top - yes - that is my concern. The bottom looks like it can supply the umph, but the top looks like it WILL bend.