Front coil spring compressor???
 

Hi all,

What is your favorite, easiest to use, front coil spring compressor and where can I order one?

Thanks in advance,

Paul

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

Snap-on. They are one of the best. The ones made in china break. Sd the money on real steel not cast.Good luck.

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

I've got a Matco/Macpherson. Works slick and you can run it with an impact.

Blair

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

I've been using this KD compressor for years. DO NOT use an impact on it though.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...r_moleskin.jpg
I add the mole Skin to the hooks to prevent scuffing the coils.
Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

I was expecting someone to say floor jack. I guess I am the only one who exclusively uses a floor jack under the lower control arm to compress / decompress a spring. I realize if you have a first gen Nova or first few gens of Mustang, this won't work. But on the other GM cars with the coil sitting in the lower A arm, I just use a floor jack. Then I don't have to worry about how to get the darn spring compressor out through the shock hole.

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

Lynn
How's that work out for you when there is no engine in the car... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

I use the same one Verne show's a picture off, I glued thin neoprene rubber strips to the jaws to help from slipping.

Mike

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

Ive got one of the KD's and the thrust bearing broke.

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m22mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lynn
How's that work out for you when there is no engine in the car... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

I use the same one Verne show's a picture off, I glued thin neoprene rubber strips to the jaws to help from slipping.

Mike </div></div>

Even with the compressor, I still used a floor jack because of no engine in the car. I have a complete photo step by step of how I did it, but the files are too big I guess and won't post. I ran straps under the floor jack and attached to the frame so when the jack lifted the lower control arm, it couldn't lift the frame. IT was tedious to set up but in the long run everything was a breeze to put back together. I wish I could post the photos.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m22mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lynn
How's that work out for you when there is no engine in the car... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

I use the same one Verne show's a picture off, I glued thin neoprene rubber strips to the jaws to help from slipping.

Mike </div></div>

Not worth a darn Mike. Therein lies the problem with my method. When I put the springs in my car, I had a few family members standing on the sub frame.

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

I also believe that Verne's older Chevy (he thinks anything since 64 is a &quot;late model&quot;) uses a longer spring with more coils, so my method might be even more difficult. But, with the engine in the car, it has never failed.

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

This is what I use. Works good made by OER I think. Kind of tricky to find the exact angle and location to install the spring. Barry's 65 chevelle with 1 &quot; taller springs put it to the test for sure.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...hale/001-2.jpg

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Verne_Frantz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m22mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lynn
How's that work out for you when there is no engine in the car... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

I use the same one Verne show's a picture off, I glued thin neoprene rubber strips to the jaws to help from slipping.

Mike </div></div>

Even with the compressor, I still used a floor jack because of no engine in the car. I have a complete photo step by step of how I did it, but the files are too big I guess and won't post. I ran straps under the floor jack and attached to the frame so when the jack lifted the lower control arm, it couldn't lift the frame. IT was tedious to set up but in the long run everything was a breeze to put back together. I wish I could post the photos.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] </div></div>

Verne -- I've used then same method and it works well ... just be cautious! TAZ

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

Lynn we need pictures!!

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

I tried reducing the size but it still won't post for some reason. Same size as many others that did work.

One other trick is to always attach the spindle to the lower ball joint first, then as the control arm is lifted, guide the upper ball joint down into the spindle. It's kind of a balancing act but if you hang the spindle on the upper joint first, you'll have to raise the lower A arm much further to get the ball joint above the spindle in order to drop it in the hole.

Yes Lynn, once they started having seat belt buzzers, door ajar buzzers, headlights on buzzers, key in ignition buzzers, etc I kinda lost interest.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Front coil spring compressor???
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Billohio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lynn we need pictures!! </div></div>

Sorry. I make it a point to NOT document my stupidity.

Wouldn't let my kids bring out the vieo camera when I had Sherri pulling a tree over with the tractor while I took a chain saw to the base either. We only had a couple feet of clearance to work with making sure to miss the roof. I figure the video just increased the chances of something horrible happening. BTW, it missed the roof.