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Good enough spring compressors?

5324 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  SwedeTitan, 
SwedeTitan
Do you think these spring compressors are strong enough for disassembling the struts. The bolts are 16 mm fine thread in diameter, or about 5/8''. They worked fine on my daily driver but that's a 3800 lbs car vs the Titan's 5800. I only have one pair.

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HRTKD
If there is any question in your mind that what you have isn't strong enough then go borrow a set from the auto parts store. That's what I did when installing my SAW coilovers.
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honda250xtitan
Why did you compress your coils on the SAWS?!?!?!
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mulletcutter
SwedeTitan said:
Do you think these spring compressors are strong enough for disassembling the struts. The bolts are 16 mm fine thread in diameter, or about 5/8''. They worked fine on my daily driver but that's a 3800 lbs car vs the Titan's 5800. I only have one pair.
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These popped off when doing mine. I rented the ones from Orilieys. Like $50 that you get back when you return them.
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HRTKD
honda250xtitan said:
Why did you compress your coils on the SAWS?!?!?!
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Didn't know to drop the sway bar. :(
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A
Or spring for this bad boy

http://m.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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dreep
No personal experience, but reviews aren't great on that ^^^ unit.

The compressor - Koch KT20252 - I got years ago for work on BMW and Mercedes should work with the strut off the vehicle. I did a quick look at the Koch website, and I can't get my unit to come up, so may be discontinued. Bav Auto lists a similar unit - about $250. BMW Parts and BMW Accessories | Bavarian Autosport Search for P/N B8800017. Ebay has same style at a third that cost - but tool brands I don't recognize.

In any event, I have used my compressor quite a bit - safe, works quite well, and heavy as h3ll. Plan on clamping the tool in a vice, then all is good. Recommend this style - see photos.

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LSturbointeg
I just rented a spring compressor from Advanced Auto for free
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dreep
^^^ Free is good, too!

Cheers.
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A
dreep said:
No personal experience, but reviews aren't great on that ^^^ unit.



The compressor - Koch KT20252 - I got years ago for work on BMW and Mercedes should work with the strut off the vehicle. I did a quick look at the Koch website, and I can't get my unit to come up, so may be discontinued. Bav Auto lists a similar unit - about $250. BMW Parts and BMW Accessories | Bavarian Autosport Search for P/N B8800017. Ebay has same style at a third that cost - but tool brands I don't recognize.



In any event, I have used my compressor quite a bit - safe, works quite well, and heavy as h3ll. Plan on clamping the tool in a vice, then all is good. Recommend this style - see photos.
Click to expand...


No experience either but my mechanic suggested using this style versus the traditional pair you get at the auto parts store because it's safer... Since these springs are strong enough to go through cinder block walls.


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dreep
I hear ya, '820. Safety. That's why I recommend the KT20252 style compressor. Once the tool spring seat-rings are set on the spring, there is no way the spring is getting loose. And, the tool body lies close to the spring, so it has good leverage.

Cheers.
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S
I got to witness one come out of a spring compressor, that the safety pin was forgotten on a wall mount spring compressor. The parts of my strut were everywhere and it hit a guy in the hand laid him open to the bone. I was just watching and then ducking, but my recommendation is be careful.
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Pale Rider
sometimes the threaded rod types do`nt have the same coil wire size clamp as the coils being worked on.
I`ve used my trusty Craftsman on the FJ and the Titan, but being ultra careful while doing so.

a shop could possible do it for a few buck with their wall mounted unit.
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SwedeTitan
Thank you for all the input and suggestions. I appreciate it.
HRTKD said:
If there is any question in your mind that what you have isn't strong enough then go borrow a set from the auto parts store. That's what I did when installing my SAW coilovers.
Click to expand...
mulletcutter said:
These popped off when doing mine. I rented the ones from Orilieys. Like $50 that you get back when you return them.
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I did some searching but seems we don't have any auto tools rental shops here.

dreep said:
The compressor - Koch KT20252 - I got years ago for work on BMW and Mercedes should work with the strut off the vehicle. I did a quick look at the Koch website, and I can't get my unit to come up, so may be discontinued. Bav Auto lists a similar unit - about $250. BMW Parts and BMW Accessories | Bavarian Autosport Search for P/N B8800017. Ebay has same style at a third that cost - but tool brands I don't recognize.

In any event, I have used my compressor quite a bit - safe, works quite well, and heavy as h3ll. Plan on clamping the tool in a vice, then all is good. Recommend this style - see photos.
Click to expand...
I've found the noname cheap one on ebay. I'm tempted to buy one since it will be useful for my other cars. Does yours feel safe even on truck springs? They say it's for mcphearson struts so I'm thinking it's for passenger cars primarily.

Pale Rider said:
sometimes the threaded rod types do`nt have the same coil wire size clamp as the coils being worked on.
I`ve used my trusty Craftsman on the FJ and the Titan, but being ultra careful while doing so.

a shop could possible do it for a few buck with their wall mounted unit.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll try and get some quotes from a couple of nearby shops so I can compare to buying proper tools.
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dreep
My Koch KT20252 is in same class as the $300-400 units... heavy enough to handle the springs on the Titan, yes. Pricey when I bought it to work on BMWs years ago, but I've used it on a range of vehicles since. PaleRider does make a good point - the tool spring pads/rings must fit the spring well. With the three sizes I have, I've had no problems selecting one with good fit for the variety of vehicles I've used it on. I can't comment on the eBAy units.
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SwedeTitan
Thank you. It seems to be a very useful kit. The ebay units looks identical but I guess they are copies. I'll check if I can find the Koch unit locally. I'd like to do the work myself as auto shop labor is very expensive here.
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