Somtime this week me and pops are gonna take the coil springs out of my car and i have a question about the spring compressor we have. a few months ago i purchased a compressor from advance,the kind with the "J" hooks on it and i would like to know if its save to use to take the coils out. I did a search on the subject and saw many other better coil spring compressor designs that can be used to take them out. we would like to take them out and put the new lowering coils back in without killing ourselfs in the process. read a few stories about springs popping out and stuff and dont want that to happen to us.
I used that type with the first set of springs I pulled, they are a...PITA...and very scary. I borrowed a set from Auto Zone that were a lot simpler.
I have used the old J hook style for years without issues. When it comes time to replace the tool, I'll look for a better style one, as yes they can be a bit fussy sometimes on a narrow spring to get into position. But Maverick springs are pretty easy to do. Here is an old thread - pictures at my post #21 --- one thing over the years I have learned is to always use hand tools NEVER an impact wrench ...... http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=17503&page=2&pp=20&highlight=spring+compressor
also...when i went to get the J-hook type, we looked through 4 different boxes before we got a set that wasn't damaged. most had the threads messed up on the center bolt. I'm guessing someone used an air tool...
That happens when you use an air tool and the upper portion of the threaded rod sideloads against the upper plate. I'll call that one my learning curve...
FML... I had to replace the springs last night on my Mav and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I'd rather pull my engine 6 times than do that again. I think if I had the correct tool it might have been easier. They gave me a strut compressor instead of a spring compressor and the bolt would bottom out and hit the top of the shock tower. Took me 4 hours to complete this task.
And run a heavy chain down through the spring and bolt the ends together inside the engine compartment just in case something lets loose.
I have the one like Frank showed, but I modified it to work better in a Maverick, I shortened the shaft an inch. I've used it a few times now, always works fine.
If you have balls of steel you can do what I did once...* When you remove the old springs, don't bother with that spring compressor, just get out your angle grinder and cut 'em right in half. (Use safety glasses if you're a girl - since I'm a man I just turned my head away.) This will impress everyone who is present to witness and will convey to them that you have run out of f*cks to give and are not to be trifled with. "But Drew!" you say, "What about the explosive release of all that kinetic energy and the two halves of the spring launching off and maiming or killing someone?" Well you are a sissy for asking me that. The key is to leave the shocks in place while you're cutting. This way you will retain both halves of the spring and still get the satisfaction that can only come from the sudden destruction of an automotive coil spring under load. At worst you'll ruin a grinder disc, so have an extra handy. That'll cut your time in half at least, you'll only have to compress the springs once. I like to grease the hell out of the spring compressor before I use it, every little advantage helps. *Don't ever, ever do anything I write about, ever. I am not a sane person and you should stay away from any activity that makes you more like me. Always think, "What Would Drew Do" and do something else.
Easy way would be to jack up the front and then cut it so the spring doesnt have as much tension. If I ever have to do this again I will cut it or melt it with a torch.
Same here. It scares me to think of a novice cutting springs that are under compression. Too many ways for things to go wrong. The only way I'd try to remove the springs without a spring compressor would be to heat a few coils while the weight is on the springs then jack the car up to ensure the springs are no longer under compression.
Yes, definitely. If you ever did use my ill-advised method, the car should be jacked up. The spring will still be under tension but not as much. I did not mean to imply that it should be done on the ground. Assuming you could even do that, you'd probably lose an arm.
