Thread: Which coil spring compressor...

I do need a compressor, and I'd recommend having one handy - because when I replaced all my springs the brake lines were juuuuuust long enough to get the new springs in with some persuasion. (Longer hoses will be put in soon.)

thats why you rope the springs down.

load up the corner, that compresses the spring

with telstra rope (wll~180kg single line) make 4 loops around convenient coils of the spring and cinch it down. do that on both sides of the spring then jack the chassis up..

the bits of rope will buy you a couple of inches.

to compress the new spring prior to insertion.

I use a 6t press but a decent base plate and hydraulic jack under the back of front (depending on which is flattest and heaviest) of a vehicle will work just as well. then rope down again.

Rope and not chain? I'm not sure my knot-tying is up to it, but I follow you now.

you could use chain but hooking it up safely would be a bugger.

Remember to thread the rope before you start to compress (it'll take you a couple of goes to position the rope where it wont get caught) simply take at least 4 turns (giving you 8 lengths of rope doing the work,) and then wrap the ends around the middle of the rope turns and tie off in a reef knot.

if you dont have telstra rope (6mm stuff) you can work out your minimum number of turns by doing

((Vehicle GVM*2)/4)/(rope strength)= (total turns of rope)

I really think that chains and ropes are much more dangerous than a spring compressor. They are not that expensive.
Fingers come of second best to a spring letting go as you are trying to force it in.

Regards Philip A

Ok I removed the springs today without using any kind of spring compressor. They are King springs.
Getting the damn shocks undone was a right p ric k. Ended up using a ratchet strap twice around the shock tube and cranking it up tight....