What Strut Compressor Did you use?

kj@best · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 2:32 am

I rented an ADT Tools strut compressor from Schucks and the pieces were too fat. Any info would be helpful[/img]

Endurance · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:29 am

I went to Advance Auto Parts, Autozone, Oreilleys.....local store..... none of them had strut compressors that fitted. We had to go to my dads companys maintenance shop and use a modified hydraulic press => EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!

EDIT: oh yeah and we ended up messing up the thred of the screw that holds the upper strut plate. It wasnt going to move at all anymore, not left and not right. So we welded it on

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Used one just like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-COIL ... 8011QQrdZ1
probably almost 10 different times now.

The hooks are narrower and fit into the springs better than these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Professi ... 5569QQrdZ1

You may need a prybar to pry open the spring a bit to get the hooks in, but it is more than doable. Also, you do NOT need a compressor to take apart the stock assmebly. There is very little pre-tension so you can just unbolt the top plate, that is what I have done on the last 2 lifts I've installed. Just be careful.

Neatus · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:37 am

I just took mine strut/spring units to the local strut. shock/muffler shop and asked them to do it for me. They did it in 5 minutes and didn't even charge me. Safer that way.(I did this because my spring compressors were to fat as well)

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:09 am

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... 0947057000

Craftsman is always a good choice, but like the others, you'll need to expands the coils a bit to fit the hooks. I'm not sure if this one has the forever warranty like the other hand tools. :twisted:

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:22 am

unixxx wrote:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00947057000

Craftsman is always a good choice, but like the others, you'll need to expands the coils a bit to fit the hooks. I'm not sure if this one has the forever warranty like the other hand tools. :twisted:

Mine probably aren't after I ground the hooks to fit between the coils. :twisted:

Probably not exactly safe either but, after fiddling with them for four hours, at 2am, I didn't really care much, just wanted to finish.

Endurance · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:18 am

Dje Ryu wrote:

unixxx wrote:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00947057000

Craftsman is always a good choice, but like the others, you'll need to expands the coils a bit to fit the hooks. I'm not sure if this one has the forever warranty like the other hand tools. :twisted:

Mine probably aren't after I ground the hooks to fit between the coils. :twisted:

Probably not exactly safe either but, after fiddling with them for four hours, at 2am, I didn't really care much, just wanted to finish.

Just make sure that you tighten the upper strut plate screw while the springs are compressed. Dont get the screw on there a little bit and then take out the compressor and then try to screw it all the way.

jeepfrog · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:20 am

OK, this is definitely a newbie question...what parts of the strut/spring assembly would you need to take to a shop to have them put it together? I've got a Rusty's coil lift, OME struts and strut plates sitting in the garage right now. I'd like to get that part assembled before installing the lift.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:54 am

jeepfrog wrote:

OK, this is definitely a newbie question...what parts of the strut/spring assembly would you need to take to a shop to have them put it together? I've got a Rusty's coil lift, OME struts and strut plates sitting in the garage right now. I'd like to get that part assembled before installing the lift.

You can take all that you have (strut, plate, and spring) and get it assembled so you can just swap out the stock stuff.

Neatus · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:52 pm

Quote:

You can take all that you have (strut, plate, and spring) and get it assembled so you can just swap out the stock stuff.

Not exactly correct. With the Rusty's kit you have to use some of the stock components so you will have to take the whole strut assembly out disassemble it and use the top and bottom plates and isolators and assemble with the new springs and struts. I believe the plates that Jeepfrog has may fit right on top of the stock plates.[/quote]

Hood297 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:16 pm

the way i compressed my rear springs was... well probably the most stupid/dangerous thing ive ever done.

i set the sprign against my roller fairlead, let out some winch cable, pulled the hook through the other side put a piece of rebar through the hook and cranked in on it with the winch, once it was compressed i used some rope to tie the coils together and wa laaa i had a compressed spring, slide it in cut the line and that was it.

i would never recomend doing this, but it was 12am and i had to be at work at 6. (p.s. i was adding upper spring isolators)

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:40 pm

Hood297 wrote:

the way i compressed my rear springs was... well probably the most stupid/dangerous thing ive ever done.

i set the sprign against my roller fairlead, let out some winch cable, pulled the hook through the other side put a piece of rebar through the hook and cranked in on it with the winch, once it was compressed i used some rope to tie the coils together and wa laaa i had a compressed spring, slide it in cut the line and that was it.

i would never recomend doing this, but it was 12am and i had to be at work at 6. (p.s. i was adding upper spring isolators)

Not the worst i've heard of,when my strut wanted to come undone in my KJ I used 2 ratchet straps to compress my spring.Again NOT A SAFE THING TO DO,but you gotta do what you gotta do to get things done when you need them done fast.Believe I know,spend a year in Iraq or Afganistan and duct tape,zip ties,and 550 cord become your best friends :shock:

!

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 2:34 pm

Neatus wrote:

Quote:

You can take all that you have (strut, plate, and spring) and get it assembled so you can just swap out the stock stuff.

Not exactly correct. With the Rusty's kit you have to use some of the stock components so you will have to take the whole strut assembly out disassemble it and use the top and bottom plates and isolators and assemble with the new springs and struts. I believe the plates that Jeepfrog has may fit right on top of the stock plates.

She has the top plate, strut and spring. What bottom plate are you talking about?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 2:59 pm

DaveKJ02 wrote:

Neatus wrote:

Quote:

You can take all that you have (strut, plate, and spring) and get it assembled so you can just swap out the stock stuff.

Not exactly correct. With the Rusty's kit you have to use some of the stock components so you will have to take the whole strut assembly out disassemble it and use the top and bottom plates and isolators and assemble with the new springs and struts. I believe the plates that Jeepfrog has may fit right on top of the stock plates.

She has the top plate, strut and spring. What bottom plate are you talking about?

The part that gets clamped into the clevis/fork. :wink:

Hood297 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:32 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Hood297 wrote:

the way i compressed my rear springs was... well probably the most stupid/dangerous thing ive ever done.

i set the sprign against my roller fairlead, let out some winch cable, pulled the hook through the other side put a piece of rebar through the hook and cranked in on it with the winch, once it was compressed i used some rope to tie the coils together and wa laaa i had a compressed spring, slide it in cut the line and that was it.

i would never recomend doing this, but it was 12am and i had to be at work at 6. (p.s. i was adding upper spring isolators)

Not the worst i've heard of,when my strut wanted to come undone in my KJ I used 2 ratchet straps to compress my spring.Again NOT A SAFE THING TO DO,but you gotta do what you gotta do to get things done when you need them done fast.Believe I know,spend a year in Iraq or Afganistan and duct tape,zip ties,and 550 cord become your best friends :shock:

!

ratchet straps was my original idea, which i didnt have, then i settled for what is known in the sailing world as a spanish windlass, which didnt work out either.

GregScuba · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:48 pm

I used the spring compressors they sell (not the rentals) at AutoZone. Worked supurbly, without any modifications whatsoever. Just slipped them on and went to work. Came right off too, even with the spacer in place pre-loading the spring. It is a tight fit, but you just fenesse it in there, and it works great. They come in a red and black box.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:53 pm

GregScuba wrote:

I used the spring compressors they sell (not the rentals) at AutoZone. Worked supurbly, without any modifications whatsoever. Just slipped them on and went to work. Came right off too, even with the spacer in place pre-loading the spring. It is a tight fit, but you just fenesse it in there, and it works great. They come in a red and black box.

Like these in the pic below? They work great,used them many times with out any problems,my electric impact makes short work using them to.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:13 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

DaveKJ02 wrote:

Neatus wrote:

Quote:

You can take all that you have (strut, plate, and spring) and get it assembled so you can just swap out the stock stuff.

Not exactly correct. With the Rusty's kit you have to use some of the stock components so you will have to take the whole strut assembly out disassemble it and use the top and bottom plates and isolators and assemble with the new springs and struts. I believe the plates that Jeepfrog has may fit right on top of the stock plates.

She has the top plate, strut and spring. What bottom plate are you talking about?

The part that gets clamped into the clevis/fork. :wink:

Uh, strut? :roll:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:22 pm

DaveKJ02 wrote:

Uh, strut? :roll:

If you look in the picture that tjkj2002 posted, the bottom plate gets clamped into the clevis/fork. :wink:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:29 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

DaveKJ02 wrote:

Uh, strut? :roll:

If you look in the picture that tjkj2002 posted, the bottom plate gets clamped into the clevis/fork. :wink:

Just remember my pic is of a SkyJacker strut which is "upside" down to others.

What Strut Compressor Did you use?

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