Coil Spring Compresors

[Brian K.]

I am reassembling my front end and see that Harbor Freight only sells strut spring compressors. Anyone know if they will work in this situation?

Thanks for any help.

[William P.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

Hi Brian, search the forum and you will see that most people use a piece of threaded rod in place of the shock . I have a couple of spring compressors but I find that the threaded rod and washers is better . There are pictures posted in the forum .
Bill

[Don H.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

You might try the chain auto parts stores (Autozone, O'Reilly, etc) to see if they have them to loan. The main difference in a coil compressor & strut is the diameter of the spring. Good Luck, Don H.

[David H.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

+1 Loan from Autozone.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

Here's a pic of the threaded rod/chunk of boilerplate type compressor. These work well.

Chuck

[Daniel S.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

Often times, when installing original springs back into a mid year Vette, there is no need to even use a spring compressor. The 435 we're wrapping up was the case and it took NOS coil springs.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

Here's another coil spring compressor. This is the one I have now. Couldn't find these pix to use in my previous post.

The first compressor pictured is the one that floats around the Mason Dixon Chapter. Not sure who has "possession" of it now.

Chuck

[Brian K.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

I got one from Advanced & it won't work, I think it's for struts. I have done this before without a compressor in the past but I can't seem to get it in but partly because everything is painted & detailed & I don't want to scratch things up!

Looks like the threaded rod goes through the shock hole in the top & that's why you only need one plate?

What is the dimension of that plate?

Thanks for all the pics & help!

[Chuck G.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

Without measuring it, I'd say 4" to 5". And you're correct that the rod goes up through the shock hole. You can use washers to prevent chipping the paint. I made the one I have now using Allthread and a piece of an old lawn mower blade.

Here's a pic of it in use on my 56 Chevy.

It's tough to compress the springs just jacking up the A Arm if you have just a bare frame. If the engine is in the frame, that makes it easier.

[Ray K.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

Brian

My spring compressor did come from Harbor Freight. It is described on the box as an " internal spring compressor " , the number on the box is #38531 or P38531. Have used it several times over last few years.

Ray

[Jim S.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

Brian,

I used the 5/8 bar stock method . I got the idea from this forum.

The only changes I made , because I am always paranoid, are these .

I did double nut the bottom.

I added a few washers to the top and lubed them , to make the compression and release of the nut easier.

Then I added a really large Coupler nut to the top end . This was both for ease of grabbing with the wrench and also for fear of thread slippage.

then I still added a top nut as an even further protection from thread slippage .

Lastly I cannabalized the bottom half of the spring puller I rented form checker (for Free by the way ) It was the double u hooks they have and I placed it on the bottom of the stock rod and on top of the piece of flat iron that Russ metioned . As I said , Paranoid !

I did however take them off and put them back in without injury ! First and hopfully last time !


You may also want to have a come along strap handy when recompressing the spring to get the correct arch in them as you tighten .



I know this is a lot to take in, so I am Enclosing a picture of it . Disregard all those washers . I only used two at the top in the end . The others are just extras. The hooks are back at Checker, and I don't know where the piece of flat iron went .

Hope this helps,

Jim Attached Thumbnails

[Patrick N.]

Re: Coil Spring Compresors

I have to say after struggling with my springs a while back, this really is a great solution that makes it an easy process. If it weren't for the liability associated with this job I'd patent this myself and bring it to market!