Strut Spring compressors?

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:49 pm

What do you guys use when compressing your strut springs?

I am looking at my 07 limited first then eventually my 02 limited. so I might invest in something to do it, then all i need to do is pay for a Front End Alignment.

wildrussian · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:17 pm

You probably already know this but you need to make sure that the spring compressor you get will fit between the springs. I rented one from Advance Auto when I was doing mine and it was too thick to fit.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:26 pm

I remember something about that in a previous post, but I guess I am looking foreither a model or the necessary info to be able to decide which one is both safe and strong enough to compress the OME HD springs.

Spring wire diameter and spring width is all important.

dgeist · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:41 pm

WoodysKJ wrote:

What do you guys use when compressing your strut springs?

I am looking at my 07 limited first then eventually my 02 limited. so I might invest in something to do it, then all i need to do is pay for a Front End Alignment.

I picked up a pair at the auto parts store a couple years back for about 20 bucks. Look like this:

Dan

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:48 pm

How well did they work?

I used a pair like that years ago, with out the locking pins, to TRY and change the springs on the struts on my '74 capri and they were a nightmare. a trip to the emergency room waiting to happen.

I was lookig at something like these "Clam Shell Spring Compressor":

http://www.brandsplace.com/0246-otc6494.html

But was wondering if they were safe, strong enough for the OME HD's and will fit both the wire diameter and the spring width.

dgeist · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:40 pm

WoodysKJ wrote:

How well did they work?

I used a pair like that years ago, with out the locking pins, to TRY and change the springs on the struts on my '74 capri and they were a nightmare. a trip to the emergency room waiting to happen.

I've used them on an Integra and a friend has used them on a accord, which would be a much lighter spring rate. If there's major problems with using them, I'd love to hear it so I don't hurt myself when I do my springs

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:40 pm

I will tell you that the OMEs are tough to get compressed down, Rustys are tough enough! also make sure you have a good air compressor dont try it by hand.

Honda Accord would have a higher spring rate than OME Heavy Dutys ??what is the rate on them

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:43 pm

Higher spring rate on a Honda Accord? :shock:

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:20 pm

guess I read his wrong about Honda Accords thought he stated they were higher rate, but then what I found was lowered springs for them are about 375 lbs or so

...interesting :roll:

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

These are OME HD coils with OME struts compressed with NAPA McPherson strut heavy duty compressors. They have u-bolts that bolt directly around the coil. I taped the area of the coil that came into contact with the u-bolts to prevent the paint from rubbing off.

It took me quite a while because I just used the wrenches in the photo to crank the units, and bolting up the u-bolts and then unbolting them takes time too. In the photo it looks like the compressors are bent, but what's happening is the brackets are tipped slightly: the inside diameter of the bracket it slightly bigger than the diameter of the main bolt.

I feel these are very solid compressors and they did the job for me with one caveat: the u-bolts only allow the compressors to compress the springs to a certain extent, which turned out to be about half an inch shy of clearing the bolt on the strut. So I used two big bar clamps and compressed the last bit by clamping the entire coil/strut assembly.

It's up to you if you want to tackle this type of method. It's probably easier and not too expensive to get a shop to do it: I couldn't find anyone who wanted to do this for me, so I did it myself.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:24 pm

dgeist

I tried a pair like that when I did my lift - and they compressed great - but once you put the top bolt on the assembly - there wasn't enough space to remove compressor from the coils - I had to take it back apart to get it out - ended up taking it to a tire shop that had a wall mounted unit - they charged $20 to compress things enough to bolt it together.

(I started with one of the ubolt types - it didn't work either - but remember the CRD coils are thicker, the spaces smaller)

GregScuba mentioned this over in another Thread

Quote:

With the CRD model, you will absolutely need thin-jawed spring compressors since the coils are fatter and more numerous on a CRD. The ones they sell (not the rentals) at Advanced/Discount Auto Parts do the trick, are cheap enough, and are lifetime guaranteed. They are made by Ampro.

slikjr · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:18 pm

This is a dang good topic!!! Everyone who lifts will have trouble with this if they need tocompress the springs at all. KEEP THE POSTS COMING! If you have a solution, post for all PLEASE!

I bent the crap out of a pair of fairly heavy duty compressors the other day. I stopped because it was getting far too dangerous. The ones I were using also couldn't get both top hooks into the spring and the bottom had to be placed under the bottom "plate" of the strut assembly because they wouldn't fit in. Not cool, or even remotely safe!

Any ideas, please let me know. I am still waiting to get my clevis lift on because of this. I dont' want to take apart the whole front end again to do it.

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:04 pm

dgeist wrote:

WoodysKJ wrote:

What do you guys use when compressing your strut springs?

I am looking at my 07 limited first then eventually my 02 limited. so I might invest in something to do it, then all i need to do is pay for a Front End Alignment.

I picked up a pair at the auto parts store a couple years back for about 20 bucks. Look like this:

Dan

Almost exactly what I used last weekend

Worked fine on mine (non CRD). I have used these for years on many different installs and never felt unsafe with them at all. Use them properly and follow the directions.

SILVERJEEPKJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:34 pm

just let them shoot out j/k, did that on a few honda accord though ( just made sure i was in the engine compartment when all hell broke loose!!! :lol:

Strut Spring compressors?

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