Spring compressor for front shock replacement?

[MMM2003]

Hey:

I have over 120k miles on my MM and started replacing some items. I did the rear shocks & wiper motor last weekend and plan to do all brakes and the front shocks this weekend.

I did some research and bought the FOMOCO service manual (DVD) and was wondering if there is a specific brand or model of spring compressor we have to use. I need to rent one from my local auto supply shop.

Can anyone recommend a specific brand or model to use? Do we need special tooling to use on our size spring and strut assembly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Peter aka MMM2003

[magindat]

The spring compressors you can borrow from Autozone are just barely sufficient.

These are marginally better as they have 2 hooks and safety clips.

Summit MDS-SG62900 $29.95

This type is much better:

But runs over $300.

You should be fine with the ones from Summit. Take your time, be gentle (don't drop or jar the spring while compressed). Compress the spring with the cap nut still on.

Do not stand or have your hands toward either end of the spring while it's compressed. Stand and work to the side of the spring. A vise to hold the strut upright is helpful.

[MMM2003]

Thank you! I order the set from Summit racing. I'm sure I'll use them again and last time I rented one from the auto parts supply it was a piece of *****.

Thanks again for your quick response!

Peter

[Jon01]

You might want to check around as to what a shop would charge to pop the springs and stuff off of the old ones and onto the new ones using their tool.
Last set I had done was only $30.
Had I known it was going to be that cheap I'd have just done that on previous spring swaps and had it wrapped up by noon rather than battling with the DIY tools all day.

[Breadfan]

I have a set much like the ones from Summit pictured above. I used them to do replace all four springs on my previous car. (It had struts all the way around).

It worked, but I will say, from the point they went on each spring, until they were off, not much felt safe about that timeframe!

So, bear in mind, it's a tough, and unsafe procedure that you need experience to do. In addition, you definitely need to follow safety precautions such as those Rich pointed out above.

[sabtaj1]

I would recomend a shop do it. The stock coils are very stout! I usually do everything myself but when I tried doin the coils on mine they didnt really seem to want to give. SO I said screw it and had them done in like 30 min. Wouldnt even attempt it again. LOL. pretty scary.

[Breadfan]

I would recomend a shop do it. The stock coils are very stout! I usually do everything myself but when I tried doin the coils on mine they didnt really seem to want to give. SO I said screw it and had them done in like 30 min. Wouldnt even attempt it again. LOL. pretty scary.

A good point, these are going to be tougher springs due to the weight of the car, even if you've done smaller cars it may not be the same...

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Don't Forget The Allignment Afterwards.

[Jon01]

I would recomend a shop do it. The stock coils are very stout! I usually do everything myself but when I tried doin the coils on mine they didnt really seem to want to give. SO I said screw it and had them done in like 30 min. Wouldnt even attempt it again. LOL. pretty scary.

Another good point, heavier car=heavier springs.

The time difference alone would be worth it IMO. I don't know about you guys but to save 1/2 of a Saturday by paying a shop $30-$40 to swap the springs out is well worth the $.
If you're calling around make sure they quote you based on you pulling the assembly off and bringing it to them, not $ for them to pull it, change and reinstall.
Anybody know, will the lower ball joint have to be popped off of the spindle to get them out or can the arm be taken loose at the crossmember?

[sabtaj1]

UPPER BALL JOINT, SILLY! Someone will have to confirm but I think I undid the sway bar lnks (both sides to make it easier) and the upper ball joints. You may need a prybar to get em out. took me a little while to figure it out but after that is was cake. Have a shop do it! coils are dangerouse, especially ours. done many but wont touch the marauder ones.

[O's Fan Rich]

I did the spring thing... used the KD spring tool.... yeah... get a shop to do it, or get a better compressor. Pull the unit out and whip it over to a shop and stick back in when it's all back to gether... then alignment.

[KillJoy]

Uhhh.... you can go and rent a Spring Compressor from Autozone or Advance Auto Parts for FREE!!!! You give them a deposit, take the tool, bring the tool backm get your Deposit back.

unless you will be swapping shocks often.... why buy one???



KillJoy

[magindat]

Uhhh.... you can go and rent a Spring Compressor from Autozone or Advance Auto Parts for FREE!!!! You give them a deposit, take the tool, bring the tool backm get your Deposit back.

unless you will be swapping shocks often.... why buy one???



KillJoy

But they are:

1) Junk
2) Barely strong enough for ricer springs

[KillJoy]

But they are:

1) Junk
2) Barely strong enough for ricer springs

I did mine in about 2 hrs total with one, and it looks JUST LIKE the ones in the Pic you posted. I had no issues, or worries.

But whatever...

KillJoy

[O's Fan Rich]

I'll tell you what.... when you see those cheaper compressors start to bow a bit under tension, and realize that if that sucker snaps you'll lose parts of your anatomy or worse... you start asking "WTF am I doing? Joe's house of springs can do this for a 50!"

Yeah..... top shelf compressor or the guy's that have one next time around.