Mechanicing advice? Spring compressor.

[Gromett]

I have a bunch of jobs to do on my van and was going to get them all done in one shot as they are in a related area namely the suspension.

I have to swap out the top strut bearing on my Vivaro. The droplink for the anti roll bar and the lower bearing.

i have already done the lower bearing on one side.

I got the parts to do all the jobs and just discovered that I do need to compress the spring to swap the top strut bearing. I thought there was a nut/plate between the spring and the bearing but there isn't.

So to my question. I hate the cheap spring compressors and I wouldn't go near that job and risk my hands or any other body part.

I just had a quick look at a mobile mechanic to do all the jobs, but the cost although lower is still a big chunk of change to get all the jobs done.

So I looked at better designed spring compressors and have seen this one. Just wondering if anyone had any experience of this style and any thoughts/recommendations?

VEVOR Strut Spring Compressor, 4.5 Ton/9920 LBS Hydraulic Jack Capacity, 1 Ton Rated Compression Force, Auto Strut Coil Spring Compressor Tool, Hydraulic Spring Compressor for Strut Spring Removing : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

‎

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[herald_400rl]

I use these, never had an issue but yes I proceed with massive caution and safety squint is needed if you start hearing noise.

MasterPro Drop Forge Coil Spring Compressor Length:300Mm | Euro Car Parts

MasterPro Drop Forge Coil Spring Compressor Length:300Mm at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

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Got to be better than zip ties...

 

[pappajohn]

A lot of money for a single use.

These are just as safe.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NVT4JZG?tag=mhf04-21

 

[CV20Bobby]

I use these , good quality for a decent price .

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-coil-spring-compressor-kit-2-piece-set/45986?ref=SFAppShare

 

[GMak57]

Have you got a tool hire shop near you ? But be cheaper than buying one to use once every few years

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[donkey]

If you are not in to much of a hurry have a look at aliexpress, they have it for £75.

 

[Gromett]

I use these, never had an issue but yes I proceed with massive caution and safety squint is needed if you start hearing noise.

MasterPro Drop Forge Coil Spring Compressor Length:300Mm | Euro Car Parts

MasterPro Drop Forge Coil Spring Compressor Length:300Mm at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

Got to be better than zip ties...
View attachment 1137809

Not a chance of me using them. They are the ones that scare me the most.

 

[Gromett]

A lot of money for a single use.

These are just as safe.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NVT4JZG?tag=mhf04-21

I disagree sorry. Those are the ones I refuse to use myself. I am a computer programmer and rely on my fingers to make a living

 

[Gromett]

I use these , good quality for a decent price .

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-coil-spring-compressor-kit-2-piece-set/45986?ref=SFAppShare

And again. That is 3 of you recommend that simple type that are known to let go and shoot the spring off. I am a wuss and won't be touching those.

 

[Gromett]

Have you got a tool hire shop near you ? But be cheaper than buying one to use once every few years

No tool hire shop within distance.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

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[oldiesontour]

Can't remember the brand name but I have a pair of the bolt type with cast ends done literally hundreds over 50+ years without a single problem...not sure I'd use the ones with fabricated ends...

 

[Gromett]

A lot of money for a single use.

It won't be a single use though. Now I have a very nice workshop I intend to do as much of the mechanicals as I can.
I see this as an investment.

I won't get much change from £300 at best and £600 at worst if I pay someone else to do it for me. £91 for a very good tool is well worth spending in my situation I think.

I have a nice 14 Meter by 8 Meter insulated workshop with an insulated roller shutter and a nice smooth concrete floor. My nearest garage that I trust is more than 10 miles away and there are no taxi services.
So I would have to wait around and lose a whole days work. So on top of the lets say £400 I have to pay the garage to do this I would also lose a days wages

It is not so much the price I am interested in, it is if anyone has used this particular style of tool or have a recommendation for an equally or more safe one please?

 

[treblid]

And again. That is 3 of you recommend that simple type that are known to let go and shoot the spring off. I am a wuss and won't be touching those.

They are not ideal but used with respect, they are a cheaper alternative.

I have changed various front springs using them. The worse case were some long springs on an old Mercedes C class. I used 2 pairs on those because they were scary!

My son has just changed his Ducato front springs over to some new shock absorbers using a pair. He did find some with a finer thread that made the job of compressing easier.

 

[herald_400rl]

I have a nice 14 Meter by 8 Meter insulated workshop with an insulated roller shutter and a nice smooth concrete floor.

Could earn an easy £10/hr there renting it out to DIYers on a bring-your-own-tools agreement.

Especially if motorhomes fit!

 

[dunnah01]

You can only do McPherson type struts off the car with the one you're looking at so would still need the simpler threaded type for Insitu works or many rear spring setups

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[Gromett]

They are not ideal but used with respect, they are a cheaper alternative.

I have changed various front springs using them. The worse case were some long springs on an old Mercedes C class. I used 2 pairs on those because they were scary!

My son has just changed his Ducato front springs over to some new shock absorbers using a pair. He did find some with a finer thread that made the job of compressing easier.

I don't want cheap I want safe. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Gromett]

Could earn an easy £10/hr there renting it out to DIYers on a bring-your-own-tools agreement.

Especially if motorhomes fit!

Not really. My lease doesn't allow for me to work on other peoples vehicle or allow members of the public in.
Also I don't like dealing with people so an absolute nightmare for me.
Then there is the insurance I would need.

I make a lot more money much more easily

 

[Bobby-gg]

This is the style I use, never had an issues with them

 

[Gromett]

You can only do McPherson type struts off the car with the one you're looking at so would still need the simpler threaded type for Insitu works or many rear spring setups

I am not looking to do anything in situ. The top strut bearing requires the entire strut out to replace. I cannot think of any job on this van that requires a spring compressor that you could do in situ???

 

[Gromett]

This is the style I use, never had an issues with them

View attachment 1137829

I did look at those, but the reviews were very mixed? Lots of people reporting that the threaded bit sheers off and resulted in spring flying.

The £91 one I linked is only £20 odd more than this type. And you are well away from the spring when pumping it up.

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[Gromett]

I really do appreciate all the comments and recommendations.

I will just re-iterate the money is not an issue. I am after maximum safety and preferably with least effort.

 

[oldiesontour]

This is the style I use, never had an issues with them

View attachment 1137829

They are the ones much easier and safer than the cheaper fabricated claw type..but can occasionally be difficult/impossible to use in situ

 

[Bobby-gg]

I did look at those, but the reviews were very mixed? Lots of people reporting that the threaded bit sheers off and resulted in spring flying.

The £91 one I linked is only £20 odd more than this type. And you are well away from the spring when pumping it up.

I've had mine for at least 10 years, and never had an issue, think mine may have come from machine mart so might have been better quality than today's offerings.

 

[Gromett]

The safest of the cheap type even comes with a safety clip. But if you are not paying attention, you can get this happen. could had broken fingers and I would be out of work for weeks if not months. And yes I know he is not using it right

 

[Gromett]

And one more. For those who don't know what I am on about. I know those who have posted on this thread understand it. But for those who don't... This is what I want to avoid.
And no, I wouldn't make this specific mistake... But...

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[PP Bear]

My advice is that I never strip the front struts down. I’m due to do both sides on my SAAB 93 and I always buy the complete unit, with springs, bearing etc fitted.

You could look at offsetting the cost of a compression kit, with 2 complete units. Amazon, eBay, eurocarparts, all worth checking out.

 

[Odd-no-more]

A lot of money for a single use.

These are just as safe.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NVT4JZG?tag=mhf04-21

Back in the day when I was a mechanic, I used this type of spring compressor all the time with no problems. As long as the pressure is equal and opposite, no problem

 

[PP Bear]

Also reminds me of the banana arm suspension unit on our chieftain tanks. The spring was around a meter high, with a secondary spring inside that. We used something similar to the spring compressors and a single large nut to compress the entire unit with. Had many fail and put the parts into the roof. We were savvy, young, stupid, brave and always dared the next guy to go as it was their turn to rotate the nut another turn. Couldn’t make it up

 

[treblid]

I really do appreciate all the comments and recommendations.

I will just re-iterate the money is not an issue. I am after maximum safety and preferably with least effort.

The VEVOR Strut Spring Compressor you listed at the start will certainly make the job very much easier. I would invest in one if I still had as many older cars to maintain as I used to!

 

[PP Bear]

Back in the day when I was a mechanic, I used this type of spring compressor all the time with no problems. As long as the pressure is equal and opposite, no problem

Think that’s what Gromett is saying, there’s a lot to be said doing it as a mechanic than a computer whizz

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