Is there a better spring compressor?

We've been doing the Advance Auto loaner spring compressors like this.

Is there something better? We're starting to use them enough that I'm willing to buy some if they make the job easier.

The "easier" spring compressors are the ones that mount on the wall. You take the assembled strut out, put it in the compressor on the wall, lean down on it to compress the spring, and you're done. They cost $500+ :)

The spring compressors I like are these ones:

I like them because you put the U-bolts around the spring and then slide the two threaded ends through the brackets. Put two nuts on and the spring is 100% retained, it cannot slip out to kill someone.

I've used those AutoZone ones, without the pins because they were missing, and I was desperate. Never again. Terrifying.

If you're doing springs/struts frequently a wall mount unit is totally worth the money. The U bolt setup above is a good compromise but still a pain compared to wall mounts.

The Harbor Freight copy of the OTC spring compressor is sort of scary... But it works. It just does not operate very smoothly...

noddaz wrote: The Harbor Freight copy of the OTC spring compressor is sort of scary... But it works. It just does not operate very smoothly...

I have done a bunch of struts with mine. Putting some grease on the threads and under the head of the bolt made it work much smoother but it gets messy.

I rented the auto zones this weekend. Definitely not confidence enducing but they did the job. It's scary. When my friend did his I hid behind my tire.

Stampie wrote: We've been doing the Advance Auto loaner spring compressors like this. Is there something better? We're starting to use them enough that I'm willing to buy some if they make the job easier.

That looks like an A/G body GM rear spring.

You totally don't need a compressor for those. You totes don't need a compressor. Unbolt the shocks and let the rearent droop and they fall right out, set the new spring in place and jack the rearend back up until the shock can be bolted in again and you're done.

codrus wrote: The "easier" spring compressors are the ones that mount on the wall. You take the assembled strut out, put it in the compressor on the wall, lean down on it to compress the spring, and you're done. They cost $500+ :) The spring compressors I like are these ones: I like them because you put the U-bolts around the spring and then slide the two threaded ends through the brackets. Put two nuts on and the spring is 100% retained, it cannot slip out to kill someone.

I still remember the time I was using a wallmount to change struts on something, and as I was kneeling on the ground trying to switch the bumpstop from the old strut to the new one, the spring landed next to me after bouncing off of the shop's ceiling.

Wallmount is not necessarily safer, just easier to use.

Wall-e wrote: I have done a bunch of struts with mine. Putting some grease on the threads and under the head of the bolt made it work much smoother but it gets messy.

Okay, for all you GRMers everywhere, who are going to use a spring compressor or bearing puller ("Hub Shark") or anything else that uses threads to press heavy loads:

Buy some moly lube. Like this: Moly Paste (1lb tub is overkill. They DO sell it in smaller sizes. We have a small container that we've had for five years)

Use it extremely liberally on the threads and on the washers and under the bolt heads and anywhere there is friction. Seriously, pile this goop on there. It will make your job easier and it will prevent your tool from becoming a wear item.

In reply to Knurled:

Pretty much anything that moves should get lube.

In reply to Wall-e:

Difficulty: WD40 is not a lubricant. It makes things move more easily than if they were dry, but so does water.

Seriously. Try it. Water makes a useful lubricant for things, expecially things like rusty threads.

After 10+ uses of the Rent A spring compressor you start getting over confident in them and forget to focus on taking it slow.

In reply to Knurled:

Thanks for that tip. My brake flaring tool will be getting some. I was cranking down hard enough that it tore a washer. They were cheap washers, but still, that's not right.

In reply to Knurled:

That was a stock hot link pic I found because I was to lazy to upload a pic to photobucket. We actually were doing a 99 Maxima front strut tonight but next is coil overs for a different car.

I bought the HF string compressors. The old style ones, not like their newer ones pictured above. I've never had it pop off or the like but they aren't great and seem to always be in the way and difficult to use.

Wall-e wrote: In reply to Knurled: Pretty much anything that moves should get lube.

Even lug nuts and threads? I just throw mine on and wonder if I'd should be using some sort of product on them.

Coldsnap wrote:

Wall-e wrote: In reply to Knurled: Pretty much anything that moves should get lube.

Even lug nuts and threads? I just throw mine on and wonder if I'd should be using some sort of product on them.

Definitely anti-seize, you can't get them properly torqued if they're binding.

petegossett wrote: Definitely anti-seize, you can't get them properly torqued if they're binding.

Generally speaking, factory torque specs are for clean, unlubricated threads. If you add anti-seize and use the factory spec, you will be overtorquing them. With lug bolts you have to go pretty high before it's a problem, but...

Seizing of lug bolts depends on where you live. I live in California, I never put anti-seize on them, and I've never had one seize up.

For years I used a set of cheapo spring compressors I got at Murray's in the late 90s. Given that a compressed spring is essentially a bomb, they always made me nervous. So a couple of years ago I splurged on this. It's a lot nicer and confidence-inspiring.

However, when I ordered new struts and shocks for my son's 02 Exploder last week, I bought complete assemblies. Part of that is because I figure 157k mile springs are pretty tired, but most of it is because I'm lazy.

Now I always put a dab of antiseize on my lug nuts. The first winter I bought snow tires I didn't and did a lot of winter commuting I broke off 8 out of 10 front studs on my Malibu taking them back off.

Be very careful putting grease/antiseize on lugs, get any on the cone part and they don't like staying tight.

codrus wrote: The "easier" spring compressors are the ones that mount on the wall. You take the assembled strut out, put it in the compressor on the wall, lean down on it to compress the spring, and you're done. They cost $500+ :) The spring compressors I like are these ones: I like them because you put the U-bolts around the spring and then slide the two threaded ends through the brackets. Put two nuts on and the spring is 100% retained, it cannot slip out to kill someone.

I have a set of those and used them several times. No issues. Using an electric impact wrench to compress each side an inch or so at a time alternating sides makes the work go quickly.

For the last 40 years, all I've used are two big pry bars. When doing it on flat rate, you learn how to do it fast.

In reply to bravenrace:

I don't do them often enough to think I can pull that off.