Coil spring compressors

donnylad · Jan 7, 2023

Not sure if this is the right place but the coil spring snapped on our lasses fiesta, I’ve stripped it all, bought some coil springs but how the f**k do I use them safely, the springs are on such an angle the compressors just spin to one side etc.

many tips?

ilovewilly · Jan 7, 2023

Put it over the shock and gradually tighten both until you can get the top mount on.

donnylad · Jan 7, 2023

Tried that pal, same result, the angle just seems massive on the springs.

might have to see if any garage can Chuck it on for some cash tomoz

R3k1355 · Jan 7, 2023

Any way to put some weight on the spring? When it's compressed down a touch the angle will be lower and the tool shouldn't move.

Springs do look weird though, it's like they've already snapped a coil off

Robbie Corbett · Jan 7, 2023

Got any ratchet straps?

They look like el'cheapo compressors.

In the past Ive also used a hose clamp/small Jubilee Clio on the spring to stop the spring compressor from shifting about. Once they are fairly tight they stop moving. But cheap compressors give me the heeby jeebies.

You doing both springs or just the one?

Twingo 1?? · Jan 7, 2023

The claws/hooks are usually shaped so they don't slide also make sure you do them a small amount and then do the other side repeating untill you have the spring compressed enough to get the top mount on the shock.

JamesBryan · Jan 7, 2023

I've used those ones a few times, no problem.

Easier with an impact gun as it's a bit quicker.

The first pic looks like you've tightened the left side too much first as it's pulling it over to one side.

Start compressing the side which is higher up on the spring, so that it brings that side down to the level of the lower one. If you get what I mean.

You want them fully extended to begin with, so you're compressing as much spring as possible.

donnylad · Jan 7, 2023

JamesBryan said:
I've used those ones a few times, no problem.

Easier with an impact gun as it's a bit quicker.

The first pic looks like you've tightened the left side too much first as it's pulling it over to one side.

Start compressing the side which is higher up on the spring, so that it bringsthat side down to the level of the lower one. If you get what I mean.

You want them fully extended to begin with, so you're compressing as much spring as possible.

The first pic they were quite level u til the right clamp jus slid round to the left 😂

going to give it one last go in the morning.

JamesBryan · Jan 7, 2023

donnylad said:
The first pic they were quite level u til the right clamp jus slid round to the left 😂

going to give it one last go in the morning.

Mad 😂

Have you got them 180° apart?

donnylad · Jan 7, 2023

Yeah, it’s crazy you’d think it would be easy. If I was at work I’d just mill some brackets up that sit at the angle, but trying to not drive all the way there and back!

donnylad · Jan 8, 2023

Managed to get it compressed, stuck some rubber pads on the clamps to stop it slipping.

I haven’t fully tightened / uncompressed yet. I’ve never done this, only ever fitted coilovers but does this seem right, I expected a perfect fit at the top of the shock. I can move it so it’s perfect bet ur feels like it’s going to spring straight off when I release the tension. I did check it’s not upside down but the other way around it literally points sideways 😂

hope they haven’t given me a duff.

sketchy as f**k compressing springs tho!

this pic show what it sits like at the min