The floor-standing Jack King strut compressor I *tried* to use at my buddy's independent BMW repair was so messed up it would pull the Bilstein-supplied coil spring (that comes with the 6112) off-axis to the shock. I could not get the spring to extend vertically on-axis enough to get the spring insulator to fit into the top mount. I tried every conceivable clamp position on the coil, too. Tried for 45 minutes...

Since I did not want to destroy a $50 insulator... I aborted the mission, and my truck is not lifted. It still rides on four 5100s, so all is not lost. Just want those 6112s on there!

I had thought of renting standard coil compressor clamps, but use three or four instead of two. ghunt, were you able to use the ebay clamps alone? as in you used just two clamps for a successful procedure?

 

Those coils are TOUGH to compress. As I said I initially started out with just the two compressors in the set I bought- compressed them about an inch and then my impact (granted it was a cordless) wouldn't even turn them any more. Had to use 3 to get them compressed, and then when I swapped them over to the Bilsteins I had to compress them more just to get the top nut on.

edit: Apples, I was typing this out as you posted but I think I answered your question. Could have possibly used 2 with a stronger impact but I just went ahead and used 3 since I had the extra set. Also even with 3 it was still bending the rods some when they were compressed, but it was all very secure.

 

*** it. I'll use two pair. Still cheaper than the over-$100 locals want to install the coils using their wall-mounted compressors. If you want something done right...

Thanks, g.

 

One more thing. May I please have a link to the exact clamps you bought? I like your description of them.

 

I always used a Branick Strut compressor...…
It worked on all vehicles, and much safer than the small spring compressors….

https://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemD...gle&kw=BRA7600

 

$737.95

When I build my dream home garage... or, if I were to become the neighborhood F150 lift installer... neither of which is in the cards right now.



I do like the three adjustable clamp positions, though.

 

The shop I used to work at is 6 miles away and I left on good terms.... well Medical lol
But I can use it still, I just call him up and tell him I'm buying lunch because I need to use the strut compressor...
What day is good for you ? lol

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F312632658322

I was originally gonna have mine done by a shop just up the road from me but they said ah, we don't have time to mess with something like that- now I'm glad I didn't spend that money, it was not a huge deal. You still can't lock these ones in place with the pins but I never felt like there was any danger of them coming off the spring.

 

What do you guys think of this compressor?

 

I saw reviews of that one somewhere else where people were not very impressed with the quality of it. Might have been a different listing on Amazon, I don't remember.