Suspension: Safest DIY spring compressor

[V40T4R]

Hi everyone,

In your opinion what's the safest, better quality spring compressor tool for the DIY mechanic?

In need to change struts preferably without suffering a home accident!

Cheers!

Miguel

[Hoggy32]

Originally Posted by V40T4R

Hi everyone,

In your opinion what's the safest, better quality spring compressor tool for the DIY mechanic?

In need to change struts preferably without suffering a home accident!

Cheers!

Miguel

Just search on google for "homemade spring compressor" and you will find thousands of ways to do it.
I used a c-clamp to compress the brake pistons and that worked perfect.
For spring, I don't know but I'm sure that someone has covered this up on youtube so just search!

[GreenBrick]

I found the safest is to use 4 off-the-shelf ones instead of 2.
Might be over the top, but I am still here to tell you about it, as against those that took a risk...

[magnuz]

You get what you pay for when it comes to spring compressors !
If you decide to use the cheapest option, (the threaded bar type), make sure that you tighten each of them evenly, as they have a tendency to work their way around the coils & can slip off if one is tightened more than the others !.
Here is a selection of whats available https://www.machinemart.co.uk/catego...ing+compressor

[ITSv40]

I have a pair of Sykes Pickavant compressors. Had them for over thirty years and never had a problem with them. There is a little bolt that grips the spring at one end and two swivel hooks at the other - this alleviates any sliding on the spring and they automatically stay put.

[canis]

The problem I had with mine is they don't fit the rear springs very well, for the rear springs are of smaller diameter and the claws don't match the arc of the spring very well. As magnuz described, one of them went askew, and caused the other one to spring off. At least, I think that's the order of events, I was too busy trying to ignore the pain in my little finger while carefully attempting to prevent anything else going wrong. You really do need to be careful.

[phil_r]

I've always struggled with the rears as well, I've got a laser 3pc and 2pc compressor kit.

The 2pc one like this is no use at the back of the x40's as the small spring size is to small a radius. The 3pc type (laser 0290) is much better but still has a tendency to slip. So to be safe I've often used the 3pc and 2pc set together as its a bit scary when they slip!

[V40DSchariot]

I agree with general consensus, the more you can spend the better.
My first pair were from screwfix and they're s**t. Then the second pair were silverline, definitely better but still not the best by a long way.
I now rely on silverline ones with the screwfix pair as added safety.

[GreenBrick]

Originally Posted by V40DSchariot

I agree with general consensus, the more you can spend the better.
My first pair were from screwfix and they're s**t. Then the second pair were silverline, definitely better but still not the best by a long way.
I now rely on silverline ones with the screwfix pair as added safety.

That's how I ended up using two sets at a time!

But getting rear springs of a Focus, meant I had to cut the length of the threads down on my good ones...

[canis]

Originally Posted by GreenBrick

... I had to cut the length of the threads down on my good ones

Ouch, I bet that hurt more than my finger!