Coil spring compressor

kirkofski

Has anyone had any experience of these?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MacPherson-strut-Spring-Compressor-Kit-Coil-Springs-Interchagneable-Jaws-Case-/301684229800?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item463dc806a8


My dad is considering buying some but I cant find any reviews on the internet. There seems to be numerous makes of very similar kits, Draper being one of them.


Thanks

EssexExile

They look very posh & expensive. It's a few decades since I've used them but mine look like this & work fine:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-coil-spring-compressor-kit-2-piece-set/45986?kpid=45986&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&kpid=45986&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Car%20and%20Van-_-Shopping%20-%20Car%20and%20Van&gclid=CMD6tf-04MYCFTQatAodbKgKSg

poppasmurf_bewdley

I can remember using coil spring clamps for Macpherson struts many years ago, but I hired them from a tool hire shop. It was much cheaper than buying some.

forgotmyname

I would rather have the ones mentioned in the first post than the ones
in the 2nd. Those Hilka ones have thinner bars/threads and will bend
when you compress a spring. I would want to see the threaded bar first
though to make sure they were upto the job.

I had some cheaper ones and they were an accident waiting to happen. The bars would bend and after a few uses the threads were clearly wearing.

I went out and bought a decent set of 3 that clamped to the spring at either end and had very thick sturdy threaded bars that did not bend.

If your going to be doing similar jobs then get a decent compressor style one which will extend your life. Spring compressors are not to be skimped on.
Mate had one put a hole through a portacabin when it slipped from them.

If its a one off consider hiring one or just take the struts to a garage and get them to swap the springs. Cheaper and safer than buying a crap set.

Something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2200lbs-Heavy-Duty-Spring-Compressor-Hydraulic-Strut-Coil-Station-1-Ton-Garage-/131526868687?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1e9f9cbecf


Although you can get them a bit cheaper if you shop around.

Tobster86

They're very expensive for something that only seems to clamp the spring on one side; which I strongly don't recommend.

EssexExile's suggestion is what I have used in the past and approved of. I've also used a similar thing but with single hooks instead of double hooks, again which I don't recommend.

These things store a hell of a lot of energy. Choose wisely and use carefully!

colino

Depends how often you are going to use them and on what type of cars. Some cars need a lot of compression and the cheapo ones don't work. Whatever you use, you always have to be careful, a very experienced mate with too many years in the business to mention using top quality gear didn't use the chains on the compressor and, of course, it slipped when he took the top mount off. Spring and top mount took off, bounced off the ceiling and came directly down, hitting him. He now has a very interesting zip from knee to thigh.

Strider590

Agree'd, avoid the cheapo ones, I had a pair of those, tried to use them to fit sports springs to a Peugeot, the threads just ripped apart. If they'd sheared, they could have killed someone.