Spring/Strut Compressor

[GoPathyGo]

The search didn't reveal anything dedicated to this so thought I'd post a new topic.

 

What type of spring/strut compressor do you use or recommend ? I have tried the Sears Craftsman and the Autozone models. The Sears Craftsman failed and the assembly blew apart. I will be returning them and writing to the Consumer Safety Products Commission. The Autozone one only works if you don't have to install a strut INSIDE the spring or you use 2 of them. Kinda useless from my perspective.

 

This is the Sears Craftsman one that failed on me. I have seen the same design all over the web.

 

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...ring+compressor

 

After the failure and after seeing a much more robust hydraulic wall-mounted screw-type compressor at the local NTB, I'm beginning to wonder if the 2 rod design above can work safely and reliably.

 

The hydraulic ones seem to run hundreds of dollars, though. The only vaguely affordable thing I found was this. Seems reasonable given that, around here, a suspension swap can run a few hundred bucks with no guarantee it'll be done right...

 

http://www.jackstoolshed.com/index/page/pr...ring+Compressor

 

Thoughts ? Ideas ? Recommendations ?

[Precise1]

All been said here...

 

http://npora.ipbhost.com//index.php?showto...ing+compressors

 

Sounds like operator error to me GPG.

 

B

[MY1PATH]

from sucks I have rented a spring compressor; a 2 arm top and bottom unit that goes thru the center of the spring.

and a strut compressor which was 2 one arm units units in a case that went on either side of the spring.

 

Other than the physcial limitations such as the treads reaching the frame, axle, body or spidle I had no issues. and those were as simple as just repositioning the tool and trying again.

 

I belive schucks rents out powerbuilt tools and I can say the only unsafe moment was when I used the 1 spring compressor on the outside of a jeep coil but that was me being unsafe not the tool.

 

In genereal, I have never had an issue with a powerbuilt tool. tradespro on the other hand.....(I think I was born with a curse that makes trades pro break when I touch it)

[GoPathyGo]

All been said here...

 

http://npora.ipbhost.com//index.php?showto...ing+compressors

 

Sounds like operator error to me GPG.

 

B

 

No way, man. The strut assembly was off the car and the compressors were only compressing 'em so you can get the strut out. I tried em a 2nd time after the first one blew apart, this time with a friend overseeing the process. We both agreed these things were unsafe.

 

Here's how the process went. Check out the compressor this guy's using. I think that's a Troy 1-ton.

 

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/574720

 

Found that 2-ton thing for $110 on eBay... Considering I still have to do the rears on the car and am thinking about switching to OME springs for the Pathy (see my build thread) might be a good deal. I really don't want to pay $300-$400 to a local shop to do the whole thing...

[Precise1]

I've used mine a dozen times on VWs, Pathys and Hondas. I never had any problem, did you read the instructions?

 

B

[GoPathyGo]

I've used mine a dozen times on VWs, Pathys and Hondas. I never had any problem, did you read the instructions?

 

B

 

5 times. Didn't want it to blow apart. Fat lot of good that did me.

 

Think I'm gonna go with that $110 hydraulic one. Will pay for itself on the first strut and I can always rent it out.

[Precise1]

The ones I used were different. Did you look at the link??

 

B

[GoPathyGo]

The ones I used were different. Did you look at the link??

 

B

 

 

Yeah, the thread showed Harbor Freight ones with much better clamps than the Sears Cr*pman ones. Having been burned (in this case, literally) with the 2-rod setup I'm very tempted to go with that $110 hydraulic one because its clamping system provides a little bit more room for error and there's a nice thick bar between the spring and the operator.

 

Of course, the Troy 1-ton has a remote that allows you to stand away from everything. But its clamps can only go up to 7" od springs and it's $50 more expensive. I don't know whether I will need 10" od springs but I always need $50.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Troy-ME4098-Hydrauli...r/dp/B000BMJX46

[k9sar]

I paid $10 at Harbor Freight. Tore one up. Returned it for exchange then made sure to lube the new ones before use.

[GoPathyGo]

Well, I pulled the trigger on that $110 hydraulic thing. Should be here by the end of the week. Decision made after I picked up the OME springs online.