Spring Compressor

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:39 pm

I am trying to find a spring compressor similar to the factory, any one know of one for sale? I am having a hard time removing my front axle springs. Thanks Erik

milesdzyn · Post by **milesdzyn** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:50 pm

Have done a lot of searching for them, closest I've found is spring compressors for mercedes. They are a internal rod configuration with spring cups, don't know anything about them as far as size and if the rod would fit into the Pinz coil.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes ... 6889QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/Coil-Spring-Compres ... dZViewItem

Miles

todds112 · Post by **todds112** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:10 pm

http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/0094 ... 6&fmt=jpeg

Will this one work? Sears Craftsman, $49.99.

Or this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=47890

Or:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?item ... pe=PRODUCT

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:49 pm

Todd, I bought the sears coil compressor. I can not get it on enough of the springs to really compress it enough to remove it. The habor freight compress looks like it might work but it some what scares me. Milez the inturnal screw will not work because of the over loads But the same manufacture sells one Its #1941 It is $249. witch would be ok I am just not sure it is strong enough what do you think? Thank Erik

M Wehrman · Post by **M Wehrman** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:52 pm

I just replaced the ft springs on my truck and I used 2 sets of Harbor freight spring compressors.I started the pull-down with 2 and when that was not enough I would add another past the compressed spring coils to gain more squeeze. There was no issue pulling out my soft collapsed springs,but going back together was another matter! There is a lot of squeezing necessary for the new springs. This is a gloves-safety glasses and butt pucker affair! Also remove the shocks to allow room for the extrs compressors. If I were to to this again,I might just have a suspension shop do the work.

Mark

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:38 pm

It is best to borrow the proper one or make a compressor, I'll post a pic of the one I made as soon as I finish the rear main seal job out in the yard.
Do not compress the springs any shotrer than 10 1/2" or you can damage them

milesdzyn · Post by **milesdzyn** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:01 pm

You know I didn't have any problems taking off my front springs. I just lifted off the body with a fork lift and the springs just fell out!

Miles

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:40 pm

Milez that what scott @E.I. said as well. belive me I tried, I even bought a jack that has a 31" rise and removed the tires they still would not come out even with the springs compressed. Jim I sure would aprecate the pics.

milesdzyn · Post by **milesdzyn** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:27 pm

Erik...I actually unbolted the body for removal for restoration purposes. And yes I will have to deal with compressing the springs for reassembly. So I am looking forward to seeing Jims homebrew solution.

Miles

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:15 am

Here is a couple pics of the first one I made, It is a modified version of the factory compressor(the original had a 2 piece base).

I will warn you not to use cheap quality anything when making a tool that can do major damage if not made correctly

milesdzyn · Post by **milesdzyn** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:43 am

Jim....is that 1/4" plate on the base or 3/8"? I was thinking of something like that but I would like to use the actual piece that fits the spring that is grooved to fit, and weld that onto your flat plate. Just to make it less prone to slipping. Wasn't sure what the shape of the base would be, never even thought of making it one piece, Looks good and a lot more secure than the two piece design. Hate to cut up a perfectly good Pinz part but it'll be worth it to have a safe spring compressor. Thanks for posting and if you can I'd like to see the latest version if there are any changes from the first one.

Think it would be worth having a set of two, one for each side?

Miles

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:04 am

3/8" STEEL FOR THE BASE.

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:19 pm

Thenks jim for the pics sorry I didn't say thanks sooner I had My first boy on friday. I have been at the hospital. I am asuming that the all thread is 10 1/2" long? I will try and make up a set next weekend. I hope to have every thing off the truck when dennis or one of his guys arrive to fix what ever is broken.

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:40 am

Here's one more pic of the raw materials, cut the threaded rod into 9 1/2" pieces, thread a nut till flush and weld it on, Cut the high carbon 3/4" pipe 10 1/4" and press long nuts into pipe with a press and MIG weld them in place, also drill and spot(MIG) weld them in two places, make hook unds, notch pipe and position hooks to 10 1/2" (inside hook to bottom of pipe) then MIG weld in place. Holes in base plate are 9/16" and 6 3/4" apart.
Lubricate the treads with oil before use.