What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
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Car: 84 camaro, 88 trans am, 98 camaro
Engine: Modded , stock, LSX modded
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4, t-56
Axle/Gears: 327, 308, 373
What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
For what ever reason I seem to have lost mine during a recent move and can't remember what brand or model I bought how many years ago, however I do recall there being a difference with the hooks with some models and as memory serves me the hooks can't all be the same length. I also recall using a pipe to take out slack in the threads... Anyway just going to buy a new one but just want to see what ones people are using with success!
#2
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Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
Use a crowbar and a jack under the a-arm.
Way easier and safer than a spring compressor. Just takes a little bit of coordination.
Ive never been able to get a spring into these cars successfully with a spring compressor, which is even more frustrating because i was terrified of handling a compressed spring with my hands. That's a lot of loaded up kinetic energy waiting to slip out.
Way easier and safer than a spring compressor. Just takes a little bit of coordination.
Ive never been able to get a spring into these cars successfully with a spring compressor, which is even more frustrating because i was terrified of handling a compressed spring with my hands. That's a lot of loaded up kinetic energy waiting to slip out.
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Car: 88 5.7 Iroc, 2000 SS
Engine: Vortec Hot cam TPI/LS1
Transmission: Pro-Built/T-56
Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
Use a crowbar and a jack under the a-arm.
Way easier and safer than a spring compressor. Just takes a little bit of coordination.
Ive never been able to get a spring into these cars successfully with a spring compressor, which is even more frustrating because i was terrified of handling a compressed spring with my hands. That's a lot of loaded up kinetic energy waiting to slip out.
Way easier and safer than a spring compressor. Just takes a little bit of coordination.
Ive never been able to get a spring into these cars successfully with a spring compressor, which is even more frustrating because i was terrified of handling a compressed spring with my hands. That's a lot of loaded up kinetic energy waiting to slip out.
#4
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Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
Use a crowbar and a jack under the a-arm.
Way easier and safer than a spring compressor. Just takes a little bit of coordination.
Ive never been able to get a spring into these cars successfully with a spring compressor, which is even more frustrating because i was terrified of handling a compressed spring with my hands. That's a lot of loaded up kinetic energy waiting to slip out.
Way easier and safer than a spring compressor. Just takes a little bit of coordination.
Ive never been able to get a spring into these cars successfully with a spring compressor, which is even more frustrating because i was terrified of handling a compressed spring with my hands. That's a lot of loaded up kinetic energy waiting to slip out.
#5
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Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
Cute. I performed my pro-kit the above the same way(sorry maybe it was when I replaced the a-arm bushings and wedged a factory iroc spring - the pro-kit fell in i think) & I thought it was sketchy at best. I want to use the proper tool the next time(soon) and am looking for the same answer. has to be a "best" way that is not entirely "backyard"
The crowbar method keeps your appendages away from springs, and you dont need to compress it nearly as much to fit it into the spring pocket as you do a spring compressor since you can compress directly on the ends of the spring instead of having to massively compress one or two coils in the center. Im not sure exactly how the math works out on that, but each individual coil will have a lot less pressure on it this way, and if it slips out it will be completely harmless. It will expand if it slips but it wont do so violently or against you. When you use a compressor you have to physically handle the compressor and the spring with your hands. I'd much rather move it with my foot (Wear boots if you're nervous, but I dont even care about that anymore) against a bar that I'm controlling than to manually manipulate a highly compressed spring and barely gripping compressor tool with my hands and fingers.
Trust me it took me a good 15 minutes to get the hang of it but I've done it this way 4 times now and it's a piece of cake these days.
Note: I spent hours trying to make spring compressors work and I saw them slip off and scare me enough times plus that I was desperate to find some other way to get them in the car. I was terrified of the "proper tool" type compressors. The crowbar method was my last resort and I wish I had done that from the start.
One other way you can try if the crowbar makes you nervous (it shouldn't) is you can attach the spindle to the control arm and remove the control arm bolts and put the spring in from the engine side. Use a pair of jacks to get the control arm back into place. Even this made me really nervous, but it's another method you can try. I think this was the method in the service manual I had but be careful because if the control arm isnt lined up perfectly it will begin lifting the car. You dont want the car coming off the jackstands.
Or you can get weight jacks.
Last edited by InfernalVortex; 07-14-2014 at 10:25 PM.
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Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
A compressed spring is stored potential energy..... ( as I push my taped glasses up with my finger).
Non the less, it is a painful getting whipped by a spring even taking them out with a crow bar and jack.
Non the less, it is a painful getting whipped by a spring even taking them out with a crow bar and jack.
#7
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Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
Nonetheless, i suggest you go rent one of the tools. The dual-claw kind are the ones that are "supposed to work" on these cars but I was terrified of it. Im sure someone has figured it out, but I definitely couldnt and I felt it was much more dangerous. Once you get to cranking down on it you'll see where the claws want to start slipping off the coils... Just gotta hope they dont while you're trying to put it in the car. After you fight with it for a while you'll be back to the crowbar.
Last edited by InfernalVortex; 07-14-2014 at 10:33 PM.
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Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: 355
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt, Torsen Diff, 3.73's
Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
I just chained my spring to the control arm. The springs were old, so obviously had some sag, but I was able to get them to pop out by pushing the A-arm all the way down (with a crow bar). They fell out and I was able to unchain them from there.
#9
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Car: 84 camaro, 88 trans am, 98 camaro
Engine: Modded , stock, LSX modded
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4, t-56
Axle/Gears: 327, 308, 373
Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
I hope the mods delete this thread. I never asked for input I asked about the brand and model spring compressor pepole where using, not chains and crow bars. It's a simple question. I've always took coils out using a coil spring tool never had a problem. Might as well just jack the car up, put jacks under the fender pinches , leave the suspension unloaded and unbolt the top two strut mounts that should be the fastest way . . . Rolleyes
#10
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Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
I actually have experience using spring compressors and removing/installing springs in these cars with various different methods. I've even done it the way where you only unbolt the A-arms at the k-member and use jacks to compress the springs in, which is actually the method described in my service manual. You asked what people used with success. I've tried multiple spring compressors and methods and I always come back to the crowbar method because I feel it's far safer, easier and faster. You can have fun getting your fingers nearly chopped off playing with the other kind.
Last edited by InfernalVortex; 07-19-2014 at 10:06 PM.
#12
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Car: '89 IROC-Z
Engine: LSx
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/otc-7045b
That is the only one I could get to work with out interference issues. It holds the spring better than any of the others but I noticed after I was done the little pin at the top started to bend. This was with 12" 900lb springs.
That is the only one I could get to work with out interference issues. It holds the spring better than any of the others but I noticed after I was done the little pin at the top started to bend. This was with 12" 900lb springs.
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Car: 1992 Firebird
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Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
FueledSoul - I don't know if this meets your needs, but here is a link from 2012 that suggests an O'Reilly's compressor & a short length of pipe.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...y-install.html
This link discusses the virtues of 2 hook vs. 4 hook compressors & how to make each work with our cars:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...y-install.html
Here is a Jegs with 2 hooks that several senior members thought would work on one discussion thread, with the short pipe added:
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/W89311/10002/-1
Here's the discuss thread concerning the Jegs spring compressor:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ompressor.html
My opinion, if you want to own a spring compressor, rather than borrow or rent one from Auto Zone, etc., get a $45 2 hook spring compressor from Jegs and a short piece of pipe.
I'd be interested in what brand & style compressor you decide works best for you.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...y-install.html
This link discusses the virtues of 2 hook vs. 4 hook compressors & how to make each work with our cars:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...y-install.html
Here is a Jegs with 2 hooks that several senior members thought would work on one discussion thread, with the short pipe added:
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/W89311/10002/-1
Here's the discuss thread concerning the Jegs spring compressor:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ompressor.html
My opinion, if you want to own a spring compressor, rather than borrow or rent one from Auto Zone, etc., get a $45 2 hook spring compressor from Jegs and a short piece of pipe.
I'd be interested in what brand & style compressor you decide works best for you.
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Car: 88 5.7 Iroc, 2000 SS
Engine: Vortec Hot cam TPI/LS1
Transmission: Pro-Built/T-56
Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
Stewie - great response - exactly what I was looking for, should be a stickie if it isn't already. should be way better than the crowbar method. I'm all for tricks and shortcuts, but I want to know the most correct way first. I don't like to take too many shortcuts on my car & try not to cut corners. The mechanics/builders I've been arround that build the nicest stuff have shown me it's best to do it right - once. & only take a shortcut if it doesn't mess up , or jerry rig something else..
#15
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Car: 1992 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L
Transmission: Manual T5
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
Stewie - great response - exactly what I was looking for, should be a stickie if it isn't already. should be way better than the crowbar method. I'm all for tricks and shortcuts, but I want to know the most correct way first. I don't like to take too many shortcuts on my car & try not to cut corners. The mechanics/builders I've been arround that build the nicest stuff have shown me it's best to do it right - once. & only take a shortcut if it doesn't mess up , or jerry rig something else..
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Car: 89 Formula 350
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Transmission: 700R4
Re: What brand coil spring compressor tool are you using?
Hands down the best and safest tool on the market!
http://www.otctools.com/products/fro...ing-compressor
Amazon has the best price.
http://www.otctools.com/products/fro...ing-compressor
Amazon has the best price.
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