What spring compressor to buy

[Nanonevol]

Cold and snow are coming and I'm preparing to put the '77 up for brake work and other stuff. I'd also like to cut a coil off the springs and while I know I can probably borrow a spring compressor, I see some on ebay for $25 and under, shipped. Can anyone advise as to the type I'll need and if these cheapo ones will do the job? Or Harbor Freight has this one for $15!

[njoconnor]

That may work, but I'd recommend spending a little more and get one of these:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C2370

PITA to insert and line up, but it holds the spring, and is safer than a lot of other methods.

Neil

[DieselSpider]

They may work however they are meant for use on MacPherson Strut assemblies after they have been removed from the vehicle and not for coil over shock assemblies that are still in the vehicle. Be sure to use the safety hooks and religiously follow the instruction manual especially about tightening each side evenly and very gradually or the spring will offset itself and potentially fly out and kill you.

Here is the Manual for that set:
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manual ... /61654.pdf

[bobplyler]

Those are meant for when the struts have been removed. I don't think they'll fit with the springs in the car.

[focodave]

I've used the one mentioned above, from O'Reilly.
I had to add a pipe nipple to the shaft so that the threaded rod did not "bottom" out in the upper shock tower before the spring was fully compressed.
By adding the pipe, you will be able to compress the spring enough to remove it safely.
I also had to remove the curved arms and re-install them to the compressor's rectangular metal blocks --- inside the spring while the spring was still in place.
It is not hard, but you have to be patient and have good dexterity in the old fingers to get the thing re-assembled while in-situ.

[Nanonevol]

Thank youse. I don't expect it to be easy and I hope not to get killed or maimed.

[toplessexpat]

I seem to recall someone on here posting that they'd found one intended for Mercedes springs.... was v high quality and v safe.