where to find a suspension coil spring compression tool

[red]

Any one have some ideas for me ? I am attempting to rebuild the suspension and wondering where to find a useable coil spring compression tool. What brand or style will fit between the A arms and keep me from busting my knuckles ? I am starting from the ground up restoring OLD RED. We had a few summers driving her as is but it is time to freshen her up a bit. Thanks for any insight or leads.

[vandor]

Knowing where you are located would help give you an accurate answer.
In the US many auto parts stores rent tools, and an internal spring compressor is often one of them.

[narfire]

If the springs are out already and you need to compress to stick back in...I compressed mine with the forks on my forklift, wired them with aircraft lock wire(plenty of strands), installed, compressed the lower a-arm into the spring, then cut the wire, released the lower a-arm slowly. Works great....so far.
Chris

[4uall]

Did not even need spring compressor.
Followed this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1akqSJE ... plpp_video & it worked like a charm





Then just placed the coil back in and jacked up the arm

[RRoller123]

An INTERNAL spring compressor from Auto Zone or any of the major auto supply chains will take most of the force of compression from the spring and provide a huge margin of safety. But it won't fully compress the spring far enough that you can just take it out. A good combination process is to use the method in the video, but install an internal spring compressor for added safety. Makes reinstallation much safer and easier too. A compressed auto spring is an incredibly dangerous object! I have a family friend who was blinded permanently in one eye by a silly small upholstery spring many years ago when working on a couch, taken completely by surprise when it went flying. There is no reaction time. It is the same reason that we cabinetmakers almost never use 5HP table saws, stop at 3HP. When something goes wrong with a 5HP, the thing being cut just explodes. With the 3HP, you get some warning and reaction time to make adjustments. Don't fool around without a spring compressor unless you are very experienced at it. just my 2 cents.

[red]

Thanks for the input I live in Green Bay WI. Video shows the floor jack trick on a Chevy. I hope it works as well on the Spider. Someone already tried it ???? Sounds like auto zone has internal spring compressors either for sale or rent. I tried an "external " spring comp. tool but not enough room to work with.

[focodave]

I bought my spring compressor from O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Worked great and I did not have to worry about that spring flying out and killing or maiming me while working on it.
See thread below.
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... &sk=t&sd=a
Scroll down a little in that thread and you will see photos of what I bought. I had to modify it to compress my springs more, by adding a pipe nipple shown in photos.

[Opaulo9]

[img][IMG]http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/kron344/FIAT_SPRING_COMPRESSION_201406011_zps4c78ed2c.jpg[/img][/img]

Take a look at this. I used the Autozone spring compressor (free for deposit). I think they call it the OEM spring compressor. Notice I used a deep socket to bridge the bottom on the lower control arm.

Paul

[Opaulo9]

Here is another photo.

[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/k ... .jpg[/img][/url]

[Opaulo9]

Autozone part number Part Number: 27035 Alternate Part Number: AZ510. Put a deposit down and bring the tool back and get you deposit back.

Summit racing sells it for $50 # 27035
Amazon has it under the same part number as Summit.

[4uall]

$20 at Princess Auto

[4uall]

Thanks for the input I live in Green Bay WI. Video shows the floor jack trick on a Chevy. I hope it works as well on the Spider. Someone already tried it ???? Sounds like auto zone has internal spring compressors either for sale or rent. I tried an "external " spring comp. tool but not enough room to work with.

i have done it enough to say it works and no springs have gone flying and no one has ever been hurt. That being said, don't be stupid and use your head

[RRoller123]

Yep that's it, Jay's pics are exact. The only difference I had was the need for an extension pipe to get the tightening bolt to compress the spring enough and allow access to the tightening bolt. Here is a pic:

[red]

Hey everybody, Thanks for all the help/input, Sorry I was out of town a few days. Auto zone had the rental spring compressor tool. Deposit, but got all money back/so free to use. The socket between the lower control arm and the spring tool worked perfect.

When it is all back together is there any changes to factory suspension alignment with shorter "performance" springs installed bought from IAP ?? castor camber toe ????

again
Thanks

R E D Brian

[81SPIDERMATT]

When it is all back together is there any changes to factory suspension alignment with shorter "performance" springs installed bought from IAP ?? castor camber toe ????

again
Thanks

R E D Brian

cant say what will change ... but yes you have changed something .... alignment is cheaper than tires