Spring compressor

[1969chevmalibu1969]

One is a rental one is for purchase. Would either work? Which one would be better? Do I keep looking. Thanks

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Use the second one for front springs.

 

[cage2592]

Agree. I have both and always go to the second. Much easier to install, adjust and compress in small spaces.

Even on my lowered 3" front car. I needed more adjustment so took off the hook end, ran the top out the tower and used a thick piece of flat steel.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Agree. I have both and always go to the second. Much easier to install, adjust and compress in small spaces.

Even on my lowered 3" front car. I needed more adjustment so took off the hook end, ran the top out the tower and used a thick piece of flat steel.

Getting the 1st tool out of an installed spring is difficult.

 

[1969chevmalibu1969]

Thanks the one you guys suggested is the loaner.

 

[68Chevele]

The 2nd one is the same as my SnapOn spring compressor. Works great until it get stuck in the spring, then it's a bitch to get out.

 

[1969chevmalibu1969]

The 2nd one is the same as my SnapOn spring compressor. Works great until it get stuck in the spring, then it's a bitch to get out.

Thanks for the heads up. If that’s the one I use. How often do they get stuck?

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Thanks for the heads up. If that’s the one I use. How often do they get stuck?

When you compress the spring it must go into the seat and the end of the spring must be positioned between 2 small holes in the seat. This is where weight comes in. It is possible to compress the spring in the car without a tool. Make sure you run a chain thru the shock holes and secure it just in case the spring lets loose. Anyway, if you can compress it by car weight ant attach the ball joint you are good, the issue is the angle, when the spring is extended it will not sit properly in the seat. With weight you can jack the lower control arm up and while carefully working it, get the spring into position.

You can also compress the spring and do this too, but only a few coils can be compressed, when the spring is set, this is where the tool can be tough to get out, but it will come out.

 

[Nashville Cat]

I had to compress the front spring on my 68 Camaro, but the front on the Chevelle goes in with a jack under the lower control arm.

Removal, I just tie the spring to the frame with rope, break the upper ball joint loose and with a jack supporting the lower control arm, lower it until the spring falls out.

 

[68Chevele]

Thanks for the heads up. If that’s the one I use. How often do they get stuck?

Only once in a while, the key is not to get the slipper bar too low to the lower control arm as when you relax the the compression it gets stuck hitting the control arm then the fight is on. One tip make sure you use some good grease with on the threads. I always makes sure of that before I use it every time, used it 7 times last year testing out front springs on the race car until I hit the jackpot combo.