Spring Compressors

Alright, when the weather finally clears up over the summer I'm gonna finally change my shocks. I'm just gonna buy some spring compressors seeing that I never know when I'm gonna need them again. So yeah, will these work: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&bidsite=&pid=00947057000&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
Thanks in advance.

looks like it will do the job for you.

napaonline also lists some for similar prices. One that they carry is from the kd-tools line. It has worked well for me in the past.

I like to pay my self when I do a "doityourself" type project with some reasonably priced tool(s) that might be required and put what I save into building up my tool box.

good luck with the project

JD

link doesn't work for me. it says i'm not a registered user.

however, i changed my shocks in february. i just borrowed some spring compressors from Auto Zone ($40 deposit, deposit refunded when tools returned). but these spring compressors were so heavy duty that i couldn't fit them around the front springs, and so i was only able to change my rear shocks.

so if you're link shows spring compressors like this http://shoptoolsshoptools.com/shopexd.asp?id=1289 or like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000227S56/ref=pd_sbs_hi_1/103-9023670-9875860?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013, notice that the hook needs to be rather curved and streamlined. if its too bulky then you'll have fitment issues for the front springs.

Linebckr49, I think the link is down because Sears doing maintenance on the site. But yeah, from what I remember, I don't think the picture had hooks...so you're saying that I need the kind with hooks?

let me find some more pictures of what i'm talking about. the links i provided aren't very clear. i'm just saying that the hooks need to be as streamlined and efficiently designed as possible. if too large, then you won't be able to get them on the front springs.

a design like this is what you want to look for:

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/3g/howto/koni/koni3g-springcompressor.jpg

or this

http://www.homier.com/thumbnail.asp?a=04014&b=600&c=600

this design has the bulky hooks. its almost identical to the one i used. it will work fine for the rear springs, but you won't be able to get both compressors onto the front springs
http://www.volvospeed.com/Pics/Mods/kw_retain.jpg

yup, those will work just fine

yup, those will work just fine

Hotshot8792, the link I posted looks like the ones that Linebckr49 said won't work on the front springs, right? The Sears around here actually doesn't have the spring compressors so all I have to go with the pictures online.

I'll try looking at some other sites later when I have time and I'll post back again...thanks guys....

Okay guys, what about these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MacPherson-Strut-Spring-Clamshell-Compressor-NEW-L-K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63700QQitemZ463839251 2QQrdZ1
I kinda like the fact that it'll compress both sides at the same time which I'm thinking will make it easier. However, I can't see the hooks so not super sure...

Or these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MacPherson-Strut-Coil-Spring-Clamshell-Compressor-New_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63700QQitemZ4638362 947QQrdZ1
Might be the same as the first set but just have different angles...

Maybe: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Strut-Coil-Spring-Compressor_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQitemZ 8064855890QQrdZ1
But it's so cheap that I don't know about the quality...

Or: http://www.toolweb.com/AutoBodySupply/store.cfm?catID=26239&subcatID=42539&do=itemslist&expadd=1
The very last one because I couldn't get the link to work properly...

Last one: http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?cid=476&productid=2482

Let me know which one you guys think will be the best and will actually work....thanks... :)

i have no experience with the clamshell compressors (#1 & 2). however, its not to say that they won't work. the problem is that we don't have much room on our front springs to have the compressors on exactly opposite sides. so you might run into some fitment issues with the clamshell compressors.

#3 & #5 look to be the exact same design. those are the ones i mentioned and linked pics to above. those should work find. #3 says it actually retails for about $40.

if you end up getting those, let me know how they turn out. i might pick up a set to put my front kyb gr-2 shocks on...or i might wait until i get some intrax springs.

Linebckr49, thanks for all the help man. I think the spring compressors shown on ebay don't come as a pair because they mention "Buy two and...." So yeah, I think I'll probably be getting the ones from Toolking (#5) because the quality looks as if it'll be better too (although they're just pictures so I may just be getting fooled). Anyways, I'll let you know how they turn out...I just probably won't get to it until mid summer due to the weather here. :o/

Okay, back with a question. I was about to purchase the spring compressors but my friend was like maybe I won't have to because when he lowered his friend's car, after he put the new springs on, they were soft enough that he could just compress it with his hand and bolt the bolt on without the compressors. However, this was on an integra.... So yeah, what do you guys think? My car's lowered with eibach springs...would I need the spring compressors still to change out the shocks or would I be able to just compress it without it? Thanks again! :)

get the spring compressors. do it right.

get the spring compressors. do it right.

Will do chief, thanks again. :biggrin: