The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What idea for Coil Spring Compression?

I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there that have removed/replaced the Front Coil Springs on their trucks. I'm in the process of putting new ones in the front of the 66 Burb, and I can't figure out a good way to compress them. I see the tool in the service manual, but I can't seem to find one laying around. Does anyone have a good way to compress them, or know of a place that may rent such a thing? Auto Zone is about the only tool rental place around here that I am familiar with. If there is anyone in the Temecula, Oceanside, Escondido, area that knows a place, I would be very appreciative.
Thank you for your response.

Hy SD66Burb, if your truck is still complete (engine in it), and you get the truck high enough to begin with, you should be able to remove and install your springs using a floor jack under the lower control arm. It is dangerous work, there is a lot of potential energy in even a partially collapsed coil spring, take your time and be careful, hope that helps.

Before you get hurt why don't you rent the proper tool from a local rent-it-center. If it gets away from you the cost will seem very small.

No, unfortunately the engine and tranny are out, and I tried that, but I'm lacking about 2" worth of compression.

I would be happy to rent one, but since living out here, I have no idea where. As I mentioned, the Auto Zones out here are the only place I know of, and they usually don't handle anything this big.

Thanks for the info.

Mail order they are $30.

http://www.bing.com/shopping/coil-s...pring%20compression%20tool&FORM=HURE

i am not a big fan of the oem brand autozone ones, but they are a little better than they used to be. i would take the floor jack over them any day. you can stack weight on it to replace the engine weight. i think i stacked 540lbs of 45lbs plates on the frame of my hudson. i did spring for a nice compressor, the thick plate style, several months ago.

Get a compressor before you hurt yourself.

I replaced the air bags in the springs on the front of my motorhome, didn't seem to be that much of a problem. Had to get some bigger jack stands to get it up good. Put the floor jack about 1/2 inch shy under the lower ball joint, backed the nut off, then pounded on it till it dropped. Let the floor jack down, and the spring practically fell out.

Larry

That's true it can be done, but if he doesn't have the motor in, there's not enough weight to do this properly.

I was going to let this go but this is one of those obvious life lessons. On Orange County Choppers they weld without gloves and their eyes closed instead of a welding hood (being on TV does not make you smart or a good role model). Can it be done? Sure. Should it? Never. Can you use a Crescent wrench for a hammer? Sure. Should you? No. So can you compress coil springs with unknown amounts of stored energy? Sure. Should you? No. Use the right tool for the job, the consequences of not doing so can be life altering. There are no shortcuts for safety but the ones you are willing to take. For those that choose to rationalize such actions go for it, the Darwin Awards are just one bad choice away.

I've been using an Autozone compressor that I rented 15yrs ago and never returned. Works great. I do several cars a year. Be careful tho. I've heard horror stories but only seen one fly. A bigger friend took it square in the gut and managed to walk it off when another friend didn't get the top clamp right and didn't bother with the safety pin.

I appreciate all your input and suggestions. I will obviously try to find a compressor for safety sake. The spring fits into a pocket top and bottom, so it would be pretty tough for it to take off, but I have the utmost respect/fear for coil springs. Thanks again.

I usually end up doing it the stupid way, but I always try and strap or chain the spring in so it doesn't fly too far if it does want to take off.

If you're taking it out you're trying to slip it out of the pockets. That's when the spring can take off.

I use the floor jack most of the time, even with out a engine it can be done. I have chained cars down to a trailer deck with good luck and have run a chain around the frame and hooked it to the floor jack frame. I will never mess with one with out a chain through the spring and securely hooked around the frame. They come out, but it isn't going very far ! The second method works pretty good, with the frame and floor jack chained together, the A-arm has no where to go but up.

Joe

why would you not use a proper tool for something with such potential to kill you. They are cheap...

If the spring is chain to the frame, theres very little chance of getting hurt. I have spring compressors, but it faster, easier, and safer using a floor jack in my opinion. Key is to know what you are doing.

Joe

Joe, I think that sums it up. Folks if you haven't done it before try and find someone that has. Bribe them them with some brew. Don't take short cuts, watch what you are doing, think about what you are doing. Take YOUR time.

Larry

then use the proper tool.

Just leave the brew in the cooler until you get the spring work done....

i sure wasn't trying to argue about how to do it when i was sayin i like to use the jack method. however i have used the "proper tool" and that's the only time i had one come apart. so, i tell you i don't like those older style autozone ones. my .02 is your safer with the jack, especially on a truck spring. but if anyone is more comfortable doing it that way, go for it.
it has a real pucker factor ratcheting these back down after they fly apart while out though. i did use the nice plate one i bought a month or so ago, and i really like it. there is no way it's coming apart. i don't mind taking the time to use this compressor. even then, depending on the front end, you have to compress the middle half of the spring way over what it is suposed to be to make up for the ends.
i just don't have the faith in the overseas poorly designed "proper tools". like i said, stack weight on the frame to compensate for engine if you want to use jack. and the chain is ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA!

Try Harbor Freight & Tool. They have spring compressor and the price is ok. It's not Snap-On but neither is the price. This is an item that is leldom used and why pay big bucks for something you may use once or twice.