I am in the middle changing my front shocks and mounts. The spring compressor I borrowed from AutoZone is problematic in that I can't get it inserted in the lower or upper springs. Without that there is not enough compression.

Rev Sam suggests hammering it in - OK but how in the world do you get it out when your done? There is not enough room (rubber boot beneath & springs get real close together when released) to just slide it upwards.

Maybe it's time to get a good compressor but any suggestions would really help. How do you get it out if hammered in?

Thanks,

John
1998 xk8

 

It may not be a good idea to use a hammer on the struts.

You would be better off using a quality spring compressor for struts such as this:

 

I was also unable to use the AutoZone compressor tool. Same issue you talk about. My fix was simple, I had a pro do it. Cost was ~$50 for the pair including assembly of all my new parts. Took them maybe 30 minutes while I waited.

An alternative some have used is renting a second set of tools and doing it progressively. Pull down with one pair, which opens up the springs higher up enough to make room for the 2nd tool.

Compressing the springs is dangerous if you are not careful. Remember they are meant to hold up a corner of a 2-ton car. Letting someone with a press do it is highly recommended IMHO.

 

I just did mine with a loaned compressor from O'Reilys'. It worked only with an air wrench on the bolts. A lot of compression needed and very very dangerous. I will never do that again. I heartily suggest that you remove the struts and take them to a good body shop or front end shop and have them do the change out with their speciality tools. If that spring compressor broke at full compression that spring could kill you!!!

 

Guess I just like to live dangerously. Did mine with a loaner compressor from O'Rellys and had no issues. Did not find it dangerous or vary difficult. As Rev Sam suggest you have to line up the claws correctly and tap them around with a hammer. When finished they will come out the same way. Just take your time and double check as you tighten them down.

 

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>this is the one i used when I did my upper mounts - seemed to work ok and no need to use a hammer</p><p>http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/p...m=strut+spring</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

Steve, I used the one from Advance, it has the double claw so you can get a straight up and down pull. Jon89 and I used them on his rears, but I had to cut them down a few inches, it gets a little tight back there.
Oh, I just used them on my Jeep Grand Cherokee and they are a bear too compress.


Wayne

 

I bought a compressor at Oreilly that have a U bolt rather than just a hook. They fit better in the small space on our spring (though still tight) and since the spring is captive they are a bit safer.

 

Charlie, That does look safer, just wonder about getting the nuts tight in a small quarters type of deal. Still like them and most of their stores give a military discount.
Thanks, Wayne

 

I did the fronts out of the car, so no problem wth space. Not sure they would fit the rear if trying to do it on the car, there really isn't much room to work.

I had a local shop lower the subframe to refresh the rear suspension, though. New shocks, lowering springs, new bushes all around. Just bit the bullet and did it all in one go. Was a little expensive but the car is night and day better, so it was worth it, IMHO.

 

Wow, thanks to you all!! Looks like AutoZone's tool is part of the problem. For those of you in the future who only have access to Autozone Let me save you about 2 or 3 hours of headaches. The AZ tool comes apart, the bottom holder screw's right off. You can insert it in higher up where it easily fits, then thread it down to 2nd from bottom "rung" of the spring. Just don't tear the rubber boot.

Here's the rub: You have to insert both of the two spring compressor bottoms at the same time. Don't thread them down as far as they will go before you insert the threaded bolt and upper piece, despite logic it won't work. Here's why - as you thread these bottom ones down they go under pressure which then changes the angle of the face with the threaded hole in it significantly. There is a point after which you will never get the bolt and upper piece into the treaded hole.

After compressing and removing the upper shock mount, you will have to loosen the spring compressor to get the shock out. The threaded rods will extend past and even thread their way onto the lower shock mount. So, save time: Yes you will have to loosen the spring compressor to release the lower shock mount.

Lots of words for a piece of junk tool, but someone will run into this someday. It will get the spring off, but anyone who is planning ahead and reads this - Take everyone's advice VERY seriously - pick up one of the other spring compressors. I hope this post only applies to one of us who has the car disassembled and then pulls out their trusty AutoZone compressor - for sure they will be searching for this and it will save them some time.

Thanks again to all,

John

 

You know I have to give Steve Skilmili credit - I just looked at the link he was kind enough to post - turns out he used the same compressor some of us including myself have been battling from Autozone!

Steve, you must be a hell of a mechanic. Wish I knew how you did it. If you think of anything let us know,I've got another spring to do tomorrow morning.

John