Need help in Chicago- spring compressor sprung!

[MichiganAve]

Hey, if you are near Chicago could you help me out? I am downtown (streeterville near the hancock) nowhere near an auto store with my DD undrivable, and in desperate need of a spring compressor! A few minutes with power/air to drive that compressor would save a few hours too...

 

The story:

 

I was compressing my rear springs to try to get a 3" spacer in when one of the compressors decided that it had enough. I really feel lucky that I wasn't seriously hurt as the coils were in my hands at the time!!! Now both cheapo compressors are next to each other and the spring looks like a big U. I can't get them off without compressing the other side either- no tools will fit thanks to the spring getting all curved towards that side (at least that I have, some combo open ended wrenches might stand a chance but I don't exactly have a lot of SAE tools, just metric).

 

Thanks... now I'm heading to bed after an eventful night!

[88pathoffroad]

Use an open-end wrench to remove the other compressor, then undo one swaybar endlink and the shocks and drop the axle to let you put the spring back in. It shouldn't be THAT tight.

 

Stock springs or lift springs?

[Casey.T]

Ratcheting Strap, for a poor/lazy mans spring compressor.... Drop the rear axel down, even with 3" left springs and the strap you can get them in....

[MichiganAve]

Yes, I've been dropping the axle down as far as I can with the shocks and links disconnected. It actually is very tight as I have 2" lift coils and I'm putting in a 3" spacer and the passenger side doesn't drop as far as the driver's side which I already got in. If I could compress the coils all the way I might have a chance but as it got close to completely compressed the compressor blew off!

 

I got another par of spring compressors, I'll try compressing down the side that's unsprung right now and hopefully get this done...

[Mr. Pickles]

Um.... 3" spacers? Please say your are somehow securing these...???

 

Assuming you have everything else loose and removed, and you are going about this install safely and have everything properly supported... I hope... why not just unbolt one end of the panhard rod, then install?

Edited December 21, 2006 by Mr. Pickles

[MichiganAve]

Eh, Tyler said when he disconnected the panhard rod it didn't actually gain any drop. Doesn't matter, I got it in without disconnecting the panhard rod or the upper control arms, I just slid the spacer and coils in at the same time with the bump stop loose inside, then I tightened the bump stop to the stock location THROUGH a hole in the spacer, holding both the spacer and bump stop to the upper spring perch. Before it was hard cause I was installing the spacer/bump stop first and then trying to angle the coil over the bump stop, which was hanging down pretty far... Perhaps this makes no sense without pictures, they'll come along in due time. For the moment I need to go install little stuff like an extended diff breather, shock boot covers, extended sway bar links, etc. But I can officially say it looks like a tow truck at the moment! Might start on the front tomorrow.

 

As far as safety, I'm not the most seasoned mechanic, but I'm anal and used 3 floor jacks and 6 jack stands, and blocked the front tires... I'd say I was over supported. That said, the spring compressor could have killed me when it slipped off...

[94extreme]

are you on MXO? there are dudes v. near your location on that forum.