THSCC Forums

All - just wondering if anyone knows of a source for a proper spring compressor. I want to take the Konis off my S2000 to prep it for sale, and need a spring compressor in order to do so. Last time I borrowed one from an auto parts store, it scared the hell out of me. Are there better choices around than the O'Reilly style ones with two "fingers" on opposite sides of the spring?

TIA!

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

Karl, thanks for the reminder .... I was planning on doing the same research. I "lost" a spring a few weeks ago while compressing and it's a miracle I didn't get hurt. Put a big gouge on the cabinet and the tool flew about 10 feet away. So your fears are justified.

I was using a "two finger" design that didn't match the diameter of the spring. So I'm now committed to finding a good compressor which captures/contains the spring and cannot slip out.

The two most obvious ones are:

http://www.amazon.com/OEM-25550-Strut-S ... ompressors

I'm not convinced the pins are "secure" enough, but I have used one of these before and really liked it.

The other one I spotted was this:

http://www.amazon.com/Wilmar-W80555-Str ... ompressors

But I'm concerned that the brackets are too big to effectively compress. Plus there aren't any real-world reviews of it yet.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Fyi, this is the style that had a slip-off incident. I'll never use these again

http://www.amazon.com/COIL-SPRING-COMPR ... sbs_auto_3

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

I've used that same one several times with no real issues, however Honda springs are smaller in diameter (compared to my Z-24 for example) almost like typical 2.5" coil-over springs, and it's hard to get one with the above designs in between the coils sometimes.

In any case, springs store lots of energy so be careful!

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

I may have an old "single finger" at each end (SCARY) and do have one like http://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson ... -3980.html but without the safety clips (less scary).

I used both with my Datsun Z. I don't recall if the less scary one worked with the small id rear springs on the Europa's.

One attempt at safety was to put a compressed spring under (inside) a wheel/tire assembly in case it slipped while doing other stuff.

When possible I used an air ratchet VERY carefully to evenly compress the two sides and started over if they started to slide towards each other.

Finally solved the problem by changing to a car with coil overs and threaded adjustible perches. Changed springs on my FF this week in fact.

I live near I 540 off Leesville road if anyone needs to borrow them.

FYI I have a set of lever corner weight scales "really cheap" (i.e. take them off my hands)

Dick

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

That's what I use, it's great and very little to no chance of catastrophic failure unless the u-bolt shears which is unlikely unless you are compressing 3000 #/in springs like 5+ inches . You can get the coils quite close with it two and the acme power threads on the ones I have are VERY smooth and easy to spin.

They also work great on small diameter honda springs that are very preloaded at full extent of the damper (ie stock-ish springs).


Mike the first ones you pointed to only work good for large diamter strut springs I've found given it takes a lot of room to insert and remove them so on smaller diameter springs, you might not be able to remove them after you've got the spring on the damper with top hat installed. However, for struts, they are very safe given that large diameter pin to lock it out.

Karl, the ones in the link in Mike's quote will work very well for the S2000 springs FWIW.

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2011/2012 Autox VP
2013/2014.5 President
2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

I have both of these types, the u-bolt one is very aged and can be a bit of a pain to use in tight spots, plus the threads on the u-bolts is somewhat questionable from being used so many times for so many years. I'd like new u-bolts for that one, but haven't had much luck finding them. I've been using the ones with the pins recently and I find it a bit easier to use though perhaps not quite as safe, but I still feel it to be reasonably safe.

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'07, '08, '11 Autocross VP
'06, '10 Mike Dishman Cup
'21 MX5, '13 Corvette GS, '92 Corvette 383 c.i. 413whp/390wtq, '03 Expedition

Thanks - added to my perpetual Amazon shopping cart. I am not at all interested in using one of the scary ones again. Like Mike (and probably some others), I've had one of those things shift out of position. The spring was in my hands, and fortunately didn't come free of the compressors, but it very nearly did. That was enough for me.

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

To be super safe, you can double nut the u bolts. I think they are 1/4 20 bolts.

_________________
2011/2012 Autox VP
2013/2014.5 President
2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

I've got the amazon ones (25550 part no) and have had no issues with them. The front springs on the Tundra were too thick to use the safety, but everything else has been OK. You are welcome to borrow them if you want.

I have the same set, although bought from Sears. Used them for ten years on the Z, the WRX and the S2000 with no issues.

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

Advance auto rents the first kind that mike linked.

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2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

Sports and Compacts on Hillsborough has one mounted on the wall. I used it many times when I worked there and it performed quickly and beautifully with no drama. Worst case you could take the coil overs and have them swap the springs.

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92 Miata 1.9L naturally aspirated. SSM 21

I have a set of the 25550 compressors that I've used a few times and that Short has used many times. I believe he has them currently if you want to borrow them. I'm not expecting to use them in the near future.

Yep, what I have and use. Screw that flimsy clamp crap!

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2005 Mazda RX8 STX 11

NCR Solo Chair & Cape Fear Chapter Coordinator
http://www.ncrscca.com