Spring compressor for removing lowering springs needed?

[ghunt81]

Up here in canada i can go to canadian tire and "rent" a spring compressor. You pay full price just in case you dont return it, but bring it back and they give a full refund. Can do almost all specialty tools this way. Nothing in the US like that at an autozone or something?

Actually yeah pretty much all the parts stores do that here. I personally thought that spring compressor was kind of a pain in the ass to use though.

 

[JeremyH]

Makes sense. So the wheel is still off the ground but the car is at ride height because the jack is under the control arm, right? Then lower the car down onto the K member and the strut spring assembly will just hang. Is this right? Kind of like the rear with jacking the differential and the putting jack stand on either side and lowering the car onto stands and letting the axle hang. Is this right?

You're kinda overthinking the whole thing but yes to all points.

I agree its really super simple to figure out. Watch one of the million youtube videos you can probably find on it and should make it really clear. Here is one for starters.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo9sg-mTmXw

 

[Rapture]

I agree its really super simple to figure out. Watch one of the million youtube videos you can probably find on it and should make it really clear. Here is one for starters.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo9sg-mTmXw

Thanks buddy. It does seem pretty easy actually. I mean it really just seems like it should be considered standard procedure

 

[Rapture]

Actually yeah pretty much all the parts stores do that here. I personally thought that spring compressor was kind of a pain in the ass to use though.

Do you have to go back and forth from side to side tightening?

 

[JeremyH]

Thanks buddy. It does seem pretty easy actually. I mean it really just seems like it should be considered standard procedure

It has to do with suspension design. McPherson style strut with a single top bolt and floating axle has never needed one, older stangs and other cars for the matter with arm perch's further inboard or poor suspension geometry were trickier to do without the spring compressor tool (for oem taller springs anyway). Been a long time since I have seen a setup that truly needed a spring compressor still. So its just a carry over tool from older suspension setups.

Do you have to go back and forth from side to side tightening?

Yes you should apply them 180 out with them fully open (as many coils you can space out) and tighten both sides evenly, and don't compress them more than you need to, to get the spring out. If using them I would recommend ones with locking pins that slide over once its cupped on the coil to prevent it from slipping under tension. Keep in mind they would often make it harder to get the spring out and clear stuff once the compressors were installed they were also more dangerous imo and some designs were prone to slipping easily if the spring isn't evenly compressed. Its probably been 15 years or so since I used them.

 

[Rapture]

We'll maybe I'll just do it how the others have said without the compressor. Thanks for taking the time Jeremy

 

[Scott]

In Canada I picked up a strut spring compressor on sale for under $30 at Princess Auto. Worked well for me years ago.