[Princess Auto] Hook-style Strut Spring Compressor - $19.99

I know it's a cheap option and saves money having to do it at a shop, but those compressors just outright scare me. One slip, or one fatigue crack, and you have a massive spring flying at you, and the end results could be very, very bad... I am a huge DIYer but I would never recommend these... just go on youtube. Here's one from a rather famous mechanic on youtube



Go to 2:50...

I have to agree with the above poster. I attempted to do this on my F150 and quickly realized I need a wall mount unit. Even the mechanic at work refused to do it since he only had this style if tool. Back when I did the ones on my Intrepid I used two sets per spring to make things a little safer.

I could swear I used a borrow a tool program to get a spring compressor in the past.

I've used the square head style safely and effectively several times. There are jobs I wouldn't tackle with them though.

Since this is something very few people do themselves , I just went for full strut assemblies on wife’s Civic . Yes , more expensive but so much faster and safer . Just avoid cheap ones .

I usually rent compressor spring tool at Canadian Tire for free...

Mudstrap wrote: ↑ I usually rent compressor spring tool at Canadian Tire for free...

And it's usually the same type as this or similar. Haven't seen anyone loaning a wall mounted spring compressor.

paintballdude05 wrote: ↑ I have to agree with the above poster. I attempted to do this on my F150 and quickly realized I need a wall mount unit. Even the mechanic at work refused to do it since he only had this style if tool. Back when I did the ones on my Intrepid I used two sets per spring to make things a little safer.

I was a wimp and paid my mechanic to lower my Intrepid.

Mind explain what is this for and why does car need it

paintballdude05 wrote: ↑ I have to agree with the above poster. I attempted to do this on my F150 and quickly realized I need a wall mount unit. Even the mechanic at work refused to do it since he only had this style if tool. Back when I did the ones on my Intrepid I used two sets per spring to make things a little safer.

Did the springs on my Ram1500 a few times , used 3 compressors per spring spaced as evenly as possible and had to reposition them a couple of times bcs they slant as they compress the spring putting more stress on one side than the other and bend the threaded bar.
Exactly what the guy in the vid posted above failed to notice or care about, in addition to using a single hook compressor type. I've had the double hook type fail and the other hook saved the day.
Granted these were Honduh springs he was working on and I would have just used my armpit to compress them while taking the strut out...
While it's nice to have someone with a garage do it for you, sometimes you have no choice and not being a tool while using a tool goes a long way in keeping yourself alive and unharmed. I would also point out that greasing the compressor threads to reduce friction and galling is also a very good idea, in addition to not working on it at chest and face height.

kiasu wrote: ↑ Mind explain what is this for and why does car need it

Watch the video. Your car doesn't need it. The mechanic/you working on your vehicles suspension needs it.

Rob_EV wrote: ↑ I was a wimp and paid my mechanic to lower my Intrepid.

A wimp driving an intrepid cancel each other out, so it's like nothing going down the road...unless it was a police interceptor package (which is more than nothing) or it had a 2.7(that would be less then nothing).

Not included - Pontiac Sunfire with underglow and an idiot using these to slam it.

I have the style with the cast end blocks. They work okay but I won't use them on long or heavy springs. There's also a strap style of compressor available. I make sure the threads are lubed so there's no binding.

kiasu wrote: ↑ Mind explain what is this for and why does car need it

Used to replace the Macpherson strut in most cars. The spring and strut are a single assembly with the strut mounted inside the spring. The upper strut mount holds the top part of the spring and the big nut on top keeps everything together.

To replace the strut, the spring needs to be compressed release the pressure from the big nut on top. Then the strut mount and spring can be removed and the strut replaced. Since the spring is intended to carry the weight of the car, it takes a lot of force to compress, even slightly. If that stored energy is released suddenly, it can do major damage



Injury :
https://s3.amazonaws.com/dkglobal_videos/1499883523.mp4

Just buy the complete strut assembly.

dilligafeh wrote: ↑ A wimp driving an intrepid cancel each other out, so it's like nothing going down the road...unless it was a police interceptor package (which is more than nothing) or it had a 2.7(that would be less then nothing).

Intrepid R/T 3.5HO.......still have it. The Police Interceptor package Intrepids are slower and don't handle as well Can't wait to get a set of historic license plates for it.

Rob_EV wrote: ↑ Intrepid R/T 3.5HO.......still have it. The Police Interceptor package Intrepids are slower and don't handle as well Can't wait to get a set of historic license plates for it.

That's another 10 years at least...

dilligafeh wrote: ↑ That's another 10 years at least...

DAMNIT, 30 years old........another 10 years (was hoping for 25 years old).