Compressing front springs- question
05-30-2019, 08:57 AM
#12
Well when I said 2 sets I meant 2 sets of 2 compressors.
I do have a compressor but no impact for it at the moment. I have an electric 1/2" impact and a cordless impact though. The electric one has served me pretty well.
Well, I dunno. There is a shop near my house that does a bunch of work on Jeeps, maybe I could ask them how much they'd charge to do it though I'd kinda like to do it myself if I can.
I do have a compressor but no impact for it at the moment. I have an electric 1/2" impact and a cordless impact though. The electric one has served me pretty well.
Well, I dunno. There is a shop near my house that does a bunch of work on Jeeps, maybe I could ask them how much they'd charge to do it though I'd kinda like to do it myself if I can.
05-30-2019, 09:15 AM
#13
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I've got one of these. Cheap insurance even if you use it once.
https://www.google.com/search?client...ing+compressor
Can be had for less than $60 if you shop around.
https://www.google.com/search?client...ing+compressor
Can be had for less than $60 if you shop around.
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rbird2 (05-30-2019)
05-30-2019, 09:39 AM
#14
Senior Member
I tried the auto zone loaner compressor. The coils on my F150 are so thick that the retention pins wouldn't even close on the clamps. I started to compress the spring anyway and saw the tool was going fail way before the spring got close to compressing enough. I have the max tow so "max springs". Before it got too out of control, I unloaded the tool, took the struts to 4wheel parts and for $100 labor they swapped the bilsteins in. I would highly recommend having a shop with a real compressor compress the springs. You can save a bunch of labor by removing and installing them from the truck yourself though.
And there are different rated coil compressors - you might not find the right one at autozone.
and +1 to if you don't feel comfortable don't do it.
05-30-2019, 09:50 AM
#15
Senior Member
i rented that two clamp style from AutoZone, never ever will do that again...they worked but it was scary as all get out when compressing the springs. If you look close behind the strut you can see one side of the tool....
05-30-2019, 09:59 AM
#16
Senior Member
I used the loaner tool like pictured above and, with only two on each spring, got it done. That was with heavy use from my impact and going from side to side. I'll be honest though...it was sketchy. I probably would have bailed if I hadn't done quite a few before with success. These were the hardest to compress of any springs I've done though. I can only imagine trying this on F350 springs!
05-30-2019, 10:35 AM
#17
I was using a set of those loaners to install a lift kit on a 2005 Subaru I had. I had just compressed the spring and had the strut in my hand to reposition it when the clamps slipped and spun on the spring. Those puppies were under a LOT of tension. Had I had a finger in there I'm sure I would have needed to go to the emergency room. Needless to say I now own one of the spring compressors that johnday posted above.
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johnday in BFE (05-30-2019)
05-30-2019, 10:50 AM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I've got one of these. Cheap insurance even if you use it once.
https://www.google.com/search?client...ing+compressor
Can be had for less than $60 if you shop around.
https://www.google.com/search?client...ing+compressor
Can be had for less than $60 if you shop around.
One that I had been interested in was the Lisle set-
Looks very secure, but again with that one reviewers said the threads on the bolts were too coarse, and I also don't know how if the u-bolts are big enough to fit these springs or not.
05-30-2019, 11:01 AM
#19
Senior Member
I had looked at those previously...but saw some reviews talking about questionable quality and easily stripped bolts on the cheap ones.
One that I had been interested in was the Lisle set- https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-62300-M.../dp/B000COA1F8
Looks very secure, but again with that one reviewers said the threads on the bolts were too coarse, and I also don't know how if the u-bolts are big enough to fit these springs or not.
One that I had been interested in was the Lisle set- https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-62300-M.../dp/B000COA1F8
Looks very secure, but again with that one reviewers said the threads on the bolts were too coarse, and I also don't know how if the u-bolts are big enough to fit these springs or not.
05-30-2019, 12:53 PM
#20
I second that. I too rented the clamp compressor from autozone, I brought it back in pieces, one of the jaws bent and eventually shattered under compression. the spring shot out and put a hole in 5/8 drywall lol. I’m lucky to be here talking about it.
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zimm17 (05-30-2019)