Hi , I have spent the day in every tool shop and parts place in Brisbane trying to locate a JD. 6.D with JD. 6.D-1 adapter. No one seems to have a clue what to look for as an alternative. Every spring compressor I could find looks nothing like it.
Is there an equivilant coil spring compressor on the market,or a generic one that would remove the front springs. A brand or part number would be really helpful.
Even a cheat way to do the job,got to replace lower wishbone bushes before I get a wheel alignment done.

I'm just going to attack the job anyway and see how it goes, I have the normal type of coil spring compressors but they look like they won't do the job.

The used one in the pic is 60 pounds plus postage from the UK. If any of you Australian members have one you want to sell let me know as I know a lot of you have later model Jaguars now and maybe don't use these tools any longer.



Thanks.

 

Clarke,

STOP: don't tackle front spring removal with standard coil spring compressors. This is potentially extremely hazardous.

There are workarounds to using the approved Churchill Spring Compressor.

Graham

 

Thanks for the warning Graham. Going on more of a hunt tomorrow for the right tool. But the only place who has one I can find won't even give advice on where to find one,they just want the car dropped off next Thursday so the job can be done properly. But I will not pay a mechanic until I have at least had a go.
When I did the lower control arms on my Jeep I had to use a heavy duty ratchet strap around the front axle and hook to the tow hook on my wife's Mazda to line up the bolts but I got there in the end.
Most of the tool shops here haven't heard of Churchill tools and have no reference to an alternative. I do have retired Jaguar mechanic locally but so far have not been able to get hold of him.

 

Clarke,

Pleased to hear you stopped in time and still have both arms and a head!

Because of the curve when the springs are in position, they could fly out as the spring pan is removed unless suitably compressed.

The two workarounds members have used are:

1. replicate the Churchill Tool using threaded bar and flat plate
2. replace each of the pan setscrews with lengths of threaded bar and gradually wind off the tension

I've always managed to borrow the genuine tool when I've done front springs but both the above workaround approaches have been used frequently by members.

Graham

 

Thanks Graham, threaded bar sounds like the best method...just got to see if I can get the right threaded bar as most things around here are metric.

 

look around here for past how-to articles on making the tool ... there are several variations on a theme. DonB posted links to his spring replacement album which also shows his version.

 

I tried to locate threaded rod today, no luck. Plenty of metric and whitworth available,no BSF or AF threads are readily available.

Re-think now, spoke to my Dad in NZ tonight,his neighbours fault I like Jags in the first place(he was in his 20's when i was a kid and bought demo cars home on weekends and took us for drives in them). He has been a Jaguar,RR, Bently mechanic for longer than I've been alive,Dad is going to pop next door and find out what is available to do the job.

Update. Hey Plums, I have sent DonB a PM to see what he can do to help, Cheers,Clarke

 

Hi I have just made up a replica tool to the jaguar one. The idea is to get a length of threaded high tensile rod, 20 mm. The type of thread is not relevant. Also get a 1 and 1/4 inch long by 1/4 inch diameter hardened steel dowel. Some high tensile nuts. See don B links, in the xj40 section under my post "spring compressor". Mick

 

Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page

 

Hi Mick, thanks for that. I have been on to Don B and downloaded all his pics. I will take a look at your thread too when time allows.
Had a mishap in the rear end that is going to take my time for now,front will have to wait it's turn. See link below.

Cheers, Clarke

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...m-fire-115245/

 

And now one turns up for sale here on the forum FS [Western US]: XJ spring compressor - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Started to make my own now. thanks

 

Any sources to buy or rent this Front Spring Compressor for an 1987 XJ6 in the US? Looked all over. Does not appear the 1988 on version would work.

 

We made one that worked Very well, was quite safe and didn't cost a lot.
Here's a link:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-125023/page9/

About half way down the page is post #173 where the spring post starts. I hope this helps you with your project.
(';')

 

A friend of mine made one too. Worked well.
If you send a visitor message to "Don B" (moderator) he has links to pics and instructions of his version, I'm sure he won't mind.

Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum - View Profile: Don B

 

How do 1 find DonB Churchhill thread please

 

See above. Use high tensile pin at the top, high tensile thread and nuts. Grease