Which Coil Spring Compressor?

[Newell33]

Can anyone tell me what brand of coil spring compressor they used to remove the front coil springs on their Spider? I rented the KD Tools version from O'Reilly's and the bottom portion of the tool will not fit inside the lower control arm. I've seen messages on this board that mention the Autozone versions works. I went to their website and their appears to be the same as the KD Tools version. Does any manufacturer make a version for tight spaces or smaller coil springs?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Josh

[TulsaSpider]

I used the one from Advance. The little arms could be removed they were held by bolts. Then I could re-attach them once I slipped it up in there.

[Hutch]

I have the one from O'Reilly's in the garage at the moment. It is a KD tools piece as well. I am using it to install the springs. Getting it out of the spring once installed is a lot like a bar puzzle (without the fun element though). To remove the springs I used the O'Reilly compressor that is made for cars with struts. I used one of the two compressors on the inside of the spring. Was lame but it got the springs out. Good luck!

[ventura ace]

Mike Bouse, close your ears and look the other way. Nope, you're peeking. OK, better.

[Mine is from Harbor Freight, and it works fine.] Shhhhhhhhhhhh!

OK, Mike. You can join us again!

Alvon

[jfrawley]

Which Harbor Freight model are you using?

[mbouse]

Which Harbor Freight model are you using?

ACK! He's using the one that stole some USA worker's job...robbed food from his kid's dinner plates, and helped send the unemployment rate up another .5%

Craftsman makes a really cool spring compressor set, and Craftsman tools are USA made.

[ventura ace]

MIke Bouse wrote: "Craftsman makes a really cool spring compressor set, and Craftsman tools are USA made."

You may want to check deeper, Mike. I was in Sears Tool department looking for some power air tools recently, and couldn't find a single item make in the USA. It is a real challenge to find consumer items made in the USA.

[mbouse]

were those tools you saw labeled Craftsman? i did not say Sears, i specifically said Craftsman; and i meant Craftsman hand tools...as that was specifically what the subject of this discussion started with. I know for a fact that Sears sells many name brands, including some names you cannot pronounce without some knowledge of the orient.

from wikipedia.... "Craftsman tools came under fire in 2004 in a lawsuit accusing Sears, Roebuck and Co. of false advertising and consumer fraud for questionable use of the "Made in USA" slogan. While most Craftsman hand tools are manufactured in the U.S., many power tools and accessories are manufactured overseas, sometimes with the final assembly taking place in the U.S. "

i'll stick with my statement that a Craftsman spring compressor is USA made.

[htchevyii]

I think most of their hand tools are USA, but not air & power tools

[spider2081]

I used the one from Auto Zone. The one I borrowed was not like their photo online. Instead of the 4 hooks that fit over the spring from the inside it was a plate like device you slide across the coil. It was much safer than the common internal coil compressor.
I had a common internal compressor pop off when I set a compressed spring on the floor. The spring tore a big hole in the palm of my hand. Now I secure the 4 hooks onto the coils with wire. I am much more careful when compressing and handling these springs now.

[bwilson27]

I've made these work in a pinch. 12.99 coil compressor from Harbor freight.

[spider2081]

I would not try and remove the spring with that set up. Internal spring compressors are the recommended and proper tool for this job. Most chain auto parts stores will let you borrow the correct tool. You just leave a deposit till you return it.
Good luck

[halg]

I use 2 1" ratchet straps.
Hal

[Newell33]

I had to use the KD tools rental version of the ones you have pictured. A smaller version of the internal style would have been awesome. That was the most frustrating part of redoing my front suspension. I'm not sure what parts store and tool brand you're referring to, but I never did find any internal style that would come close to working.

Josh

[Foster48x]

My buddy loaned me a set from Harbor Freight like the ones above.... they're a real pain in the arse!

Get (or rent) a set like this. I have a pair and they work like a charm.

OEM #27035
http://www.bosstoolsupply.com/index.asp ... odID=11885