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Coil Spring Compressor

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Old Oct 5, 2004 | 09:07 PM
  #1  
realcarsRmanual's Avatar
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Coil Spring Compressor

I just got new Eibach springs for my car, but i have no spring compressor. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Old Oct 5, 2004 | 09:23 PM
  #2  
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I think you can rent them from Schucks. I think one parts store chain (Pep Boys?) has like a tool loan program where you give them a credit card and they loan some specific tools like that.

Otherwise, start calling tire and wheel shops to see how much install is.

You should also get new struts if you haven't already. The stock struts are known to not hold up very long with lower springs.
Old Oct 5, 2004 | 09:24 PM
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You could also buy a pair. Mine were around $20 I think.
Old Oct 5, 2004 | 09:57 PM
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this is the one i have. cheap, easy, and quite safe. there are no substitutes for this that can equal the price http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43753
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 06:53 AM
  #5  
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harbor freight rocks...
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 07:19 AM
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very much so. i'm hoping to get the car lift from there sometime soon. i've not been able to find a better price yet. i wish it was a four pole but it'll still handle 7000 lbs so... it should be fine.
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 07:20 AM
  #7  
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we use 2 pole lifts at the shop and they work fine
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 08:40 AM
  #8  
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try Autozone, they have loaner tools.
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 11:01 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by internetautomar
we use 2 pole lifts at the shop and they work fine
awesome. i figured they would, just seems a bit scary. if i could see the base and its designed how i think it is then i wouldn't worry as much. the picture doesn't show the base of it so i wasn't sure.

of course, if they weren't safe they wouldn't be selling them though so...
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 11:23 AM
  #10  
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remember that they sink some big **** bolts into the cement to hold those puppies up.
we've had nor have I ever seen one tip over, though I have seen cars fall off them (or actually theafter effects)
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 11:34 AM
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cars falling off?? how did that happen? if it was on a two post lift with the ramps i could see that happening but with the underbody lifts not sure how that could happen. very interesting.
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 02:48 PM
  #12  
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one side failed, the pulley sheared off.
did it twice on 2 lifts.
class action lawsuit
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 03:01 PM
  #13  
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wow... yeah, i'd be doing some lawsuits as well for that crap.
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 07:46 PM
  #14  
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mine was 30 bucks
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 08:11 PM
  #15  
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i rented one... almost took my finger off on a front stock spring..
- it was the 2 part compressor, one of them slid around to the other side of the spring, under pressure, and slammed into the other one.. my finger was about 1/4 inch away from it.

-off topic (again) I should get buying a VE 5spd! soon but the person didn't get the title yet? its been about a week. I know nothing about getting car title's but im guessing its a long wait for everyone???
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:18 PM
  #16  
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if you have an impact gun put the gun on the the top nut put the strut assembly inbetween two tires and with you on one and someone else on the other slowly gun the nut off. kinda scary but it works. otherwise just go rent some. I did some guys 4th gen without a spring compressor at all.
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 09:44 AM
  #17  
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wow.. thats creative!
- i have a friend that used super large ZIP-TIES to compress his springs.. he drives a carrado and they said he didnt need a to compress them.. but he had to so.. he had like 10 ties on each spring.. really funny sight
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 06:22 PM
  #18  
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well it's cheapest ot do it my wasy but if you need one then it's cheaper to rent one unless you are planning on doing a lot of suspension install and are going ot charge people and you wouldnt have the Inconvenience of going to get it everytime.
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 06:38 PM
  #19  
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Go to AutoZone. Here in VA, it cost me $40.00 (plus tax) to rent a brand new set of compressors. When I took them back, I go the entire amount back less the tax. You practically rent the tools for free. Really, you can't beat that deal. Even better yet, you have up to 90 days to return the tools. After the 90 day grace period, it is assumed that you wanted to purchase them. Be safe and use the right tool for the right job. The ones that rented (twice) had a protection mechanism that prevented the spring from snaping loose.
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