best coil spring compressors

[pushkin]

About to overhaul the suspension on my 110 TD5. Been a few years since I did it (and on the other side of the world) and just thought I'd ask and see if anyone knew of a better tool to use for compressing the springs for removal/installation than the spanner/socket operated ones.
I absolutely hate using them as they never seem to do a good job of getting the spring down and I always have a suspicion they're going to snap and take my head off!

[Blknight.aus]

I use rope a jack some weights and a press.

load up the corner you want to remove
tie the spring coils together
put the jack in between the axle and the chassis
jack it up till the shock stops.
remove the roped spring.

compress the new spring in the press
tie it together
put the new spring in the vehicle.
lower the jack
untie the rope
unload the corner.

put the old spring in the press
untie the old spring
release the press.

[goingbush]

I don't compress the springs at all,

Just Undo the shocker & jack that corner of the car up with a high lift jack, (then stabilise it)
The spring will just fall out !!

Or if you don't like high lift jacks drive the opposite wheel up a ramp (with the shocker undone) until your at full wheel travel, (chock the car) then just reach in & change the spring, QED

[dmdigital]

Definitely not required. Rear is easy. For the front I place the chassis on stands take off both front wheels, place a trolley jack under the diff, undo the shocks and gently lower the axle on the jack.

[landiematt]

Don"t use one either .Just remove shock off the mount and jack out like the previous two.

[reschook]

I replaced my springs the other day and used two ratchet straps, one on each side of the spring, tightened them down as much as possible then jacked it up, releasing the spring. To insert the new spring I again used same straps, one each side of the spring, tensioning them together until the spring was compressed enough to fit in. It worked for me.

[pushkin]

Thanks for the tips guys. Didn't even cross my mind to try it without compressors! Will let you know how I get on. Can't wait to get it done, 'ol Landy's feeling more than a little spongey.... ;)

[olbod]

If you use the jack it up and let it hang method, be careful not to stretch the brake hoses !!!

Robert.

[tomalophicon]

I recently did the coils on a Disco. Not sure if it applies to a Defender, but I had to put a bottle jack between the axle and the body and jack the axle further down than it would freely hang.

[Blknight.aus]

yep it applies if you have the HD springs or 2 inch lift (or better)

The brake lines is the reason I preload and tie off before jacking the axle away... Its not a big deal at the back, but at the front......

[dmdigital]

yep it applies if you have the HD springs or 2 inch lift (or better)

The brake lines is the reason I preload and tie off before jacking the axle away... Its not a big deal at the back, but at the front......
I fitted my HD front springs by lowering the axle as previously described. You do have to watch the brake lines don't over extend but it is easily achievable without compressing the springs.

[Bush65]

I never have had to use a spring compressor. However I have used springs with much more free length than stock and had to lift the front calipers off. Also if you have the stock swaybars these may need to be disconnected and the front sway bar won't allow the front axle to droop enough before the drive shaft hits the bar.