Spring Compressors? - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

MattR · 2004-08-09, 04:35 PM

What is the best style of spring compressor? has anyone used the nylon strap kind? What are your recommendations? Best place to buy them?

thanks
Matt

Kevin M · 2004-08-09, 05:02 PM

Nylon strap style? Never heard of them. But the hook-and-screw type I have (that will be here this week btw) were cheap and work fine.

khail19 · 2004-08-09, 05:14 PM

I've changed out my springs twice now, and I didn't need a spring compressor either time. The WRX springs are under almost no pre-load with the top hats bolted on. Maybe the STi springs are different though. The easiest kind to use is the scissor type, but they are usually fairly expensive. The hook type is also easy to use, just more time consuming since you have to tighten both sides on each spring. We rent that one at NAPA for no charge if you don't want to buy one. You just leave a refundable deposit.

zpeed · 2004-08-09, 05:58 PM

I loan one from Pepboy Free (with return deposit).

ArthurS · 2004-08-10, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zpeed

I loan one from Pepboy Free (with return deposit).

We have done the same to do Ben's springs. I am pretty sure Britten and Tyson just rented one also.

Dean · 2004-08-10, 08:02 AM

I think Kragen loans them as well... For as little compression as I think you need, I bet the 2" Nylon ratcheted tie downs I have would work as well.

sperry · 2004-08-10, 08:14 AM

Man, the club should have just purchased a set way back when the 1st of you guys did springs... then we'd have a nice set ready to go for all you guys.

I wonder if it would still be beneficial to get a set. Aren't they like $50 or so? Is anyone interested in donating a set to the club? We'll hook you up with a free sweater and stickers when we do a new run this fall!

ArthurS · 2004-08-10, 08:22 AM

www.kragen.com

Powerbuilt Tools 648627

Strut Spring Compressor Kit: #1

Our Price: $52.99

ArthurS · 2004-08-10, 08:22 AM

I'll chip in.

Dean · 2004-08-10, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Man, the club should have just purchased a set way back when the 1st of you guys did springs... then we'd have a nice set ready to go for all you guys.

I wonder if it would still be beneficial to get a set. Aren't they like $50 or so? Is anyone interested in donating a set to the club? We'll hook you up with a free sweater and stickers when we do a new run this fall!

Not sure how much we really need them. For as little tension as there are on most Subaru Springs, I think nylon ratchets are all you need, and people are welcome to borrow mine. And for as much as we use them, how about $11 instead of $50+ if you want the screw drive ones and don't want to borrow them from Kragen... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3980
My dad has a set of these, but they are in Gardnerville.

JC · 2004-08-10, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Man, the club should have just purchased a set way back when the 1st of you guys did springs... then we'd have a nice set ready to go for all you guys.

I wonder if it would still be beneficial to get a set. Aren't they like $50 or so? Is anyone interested in donating a set to the club? We'll hook you up with a free sweater and stickers when we do a new run this fall!

Not sure how much we really need them. For as little tension as there are on most Subaru Springs, I think nylon ratchets are all you need, and people are welcome to borrow mine. And for as much as we use them, how about $11 instead of $50+ if you want the screw drive ones and don't want to borrow them from Kragen... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3980
My dad has a set of these, but they are in Gardnerville.

There is a harbor frieght in Reno. It's where K-Mart used to be.

MattR · 2004-08-10, 10:23 AM

I think I'll take Khail up on the NAPA offer, Probably next weekend.

thanks
Matt

Theo · 2004-08-10, 12:52 PM

I purchased a set from Harbor Freight for $8.00 on sale. Works fine. I did need them for installing springs and I shot a nut about 50 ft removing the top without compressing first. Watch your nuts if you don't compress.

Theo

AtomicLabMonkey · 2004-08-10, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theo

Watch your nuts if you don't compress.

It's always a good idea to watch your nuts, especially when compressing them.

Kostamojen · 2004-08-10, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khail19

I've changed out my springs twice now, and I didn't need a spring compressor either time. The WRX springs are under almost no pre-load with the top hats bolted on. Maybe the STi springs are different though. The easiest kind to use is the scissor type, but they are usually fairly expensive. The hook type is also easy to use, just more time consuming since you have to tighten both sides on each spring. We rent that one at NAPA for no charge if you don't want to buy one. You just leave a refundable deposit.

I concure, spring compressors are not neccessary. Especially if you have air tools.

Kevin M · 2004-08-10, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Man, the club should have just purchased a set way back when the 1st of you guys did springs... then we'd have a nice set ready to go for all you guys.

I wonder if it would still be beneficial to get a set. Aren't they like $50 or so? Is anyone interested in donating a set to the club? We'll hook you up with a free sweater and stickers when we do a new run this fall!

I'll donate mine to the cause. I have the exact set Art posted up, only without the case. Matt, don't go buying any just yet.

MattR · 2004-08-10, 03:41 PM

Ok

Theo · 2004-08-10, 04:13 PM

I would encourage everyone to use a spring compressor and wear eye protection for this job. Flying nuts are dangerous!

Maybe the wagons have more spring pre-load than the sedan?

Theo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

Quote:

Originally Posted by khail19

I've changed out my springs twice now, and I didn't need a spring compressor either time. The WRX springs are under almost no pre-load with the top hats bolted on. Maybe the STi springs are different though. The easiest kind to use is the scissor type, but they are usually fairly expensive. The hook type is also easy to use, just more time consuming since you have to tighten both sides on each spring. We rent that one at NAPA for no charge if you don't want to buy one. You just leave a refundable deposit.

I concure, spring compressors are not neccessary. Especially if you have air tools.

sperry · 2004-08-10, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theo

I would encourage everyone to use a spring compressor and wear eye protection for this job. Flying nuts are dangerous!

Maybe the wagons have more spring pre-load than the sedan?

Theo

Yeah, the last thing you want is nut in your eye.

Kostamojen · 2004-08-10, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theo

I would encourage everyone to use a spring compressor and wear eye protection for this job. Flying nuts are dangerous!

Maybe the wagons have more spring pre-load than the sedan?

Theo

Yeah, the last thing you want is nut in your eye.

Well every spring swap ive seen, the stock spring decompresses like maybe 1/2 an inch, MAYBE a whole inch... So if someone just holds it down a little, it wont go flying

khail19 · 2004-08-10, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

Well every spring swap ive seen, the stock spring decompresses like maybe 1/2 an inch, MAYBE a whole inch... So if someone just holds it down a little, it wont go flying

Yep, that's how mine were, I just pushed down while I was taking off the top nut. No problem.

dknv · 2004-08-10, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theo

Watch your nuts if you don't compress.

It's always a good idea to watch your nuts, especially when compressing them.

or get someone to watch them for you?

AtomicLabMonkey · 2004-08-10, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dknv

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theo

Watch your nuts if you don't compress.

It's always a good idea to watch your nuts, especially when compressing them.

or get someone to watch them for you?

Preferably a female someone. :wink:

2004-08-09, 05:02 PM	#2
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Nylon strap style? Never heard of them. But the hook-and-screw type I have (that will be here this week btw) were cheap and work fine. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2004-08-10, 08:02 AM	#6
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I think Kragen loans them as well... For as little compression as I think you need, I bet the 2" Nylon ratcheted tie downs I have would work as well. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2004-08-10, 08:14 AM	#7
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Man, the club should have just purchased a set way back when the 1st of you guys did springs... then we'd have a nice set ready to go for all you guys. I wonder if it would still be beneficial to get a set. Aren't they like $50 or so? Is anyone interested in donating a set to the club? We'll hook you up with a free sweater and stickers when we do a new run this fall! __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2004-08-10, 08:22 AM	#8
ArthurS EJ207 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,707 Car: 2011 Chevy Battle Wagon	www.kragen.com Powerbuilt Tools 648627 Strut Spring Compressor Kit: #1 Our Price: $52.99 __________________ Captain Murphy: I dub thee Sir Phobos, Knight of Mars, beater of ass. Be a hitter, babe.

2004-08-10, 08:22 AM	#9
ArthurS EJ207 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,707 Car: 2011 Chevy Battle Wagon	I'll chip in. __________________ Captain Murphy: I dub thee Sir Phobos, Knight of Mars, beater of ass. Be a hitter, babe.

2004-08-09, 04:35 PM	#1
MattR El Matador Real Name: Matt Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 10,660 Car: 2012 Toyota Tacoma Class: ?	Spring Compressors? What is the best style of spring compressor? has anyone used the nylon strap kind? What are your recommendations? Best place to buy them? thanks Matt __________________ "Dallas..We have a problem.”

2004-08-09, 05:14 PM	#3
khail19 EJ205 Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,769 Car: 2016 VW GTI Meets? We have meets?	I've changed out my springs twice now, and I didn't need a spring compressor either time. The WRX springs are under almost no pre-load with the top hats bolted on. Maybe the STi springs are different though. The easiest kind to use is the scissor type, but they are usually fairly expensive. The hook type is also easy to use, just more time consuming since you have to tighten both sides on each spring. We rent that one at NAPA for no charge if you don't want to buy one. You just leave a refundable deposit.

2004-08-09, 05:58 PM	#4
zpeed EJ251 Real Name: Nat S Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Reno, NV USA Posts: 743 Car: 06 S2000 Class: RNP & PDX	I loan one from Pepboy Free (with return deposit).

2004-08-10, 10:23 AM	#12
MattR El Matador Real Name: Matt Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 10,660 Car: 2012 Toyota Tacoma Class: ?	I think I'll take Khail up on the NAPA offer, Probably next weekend. thanks Matt __________________ "Dallas..We have a problem.”

2004-08-10, 12:52 PM	#13
Theo EJ22 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 133	I purchased a set from Harbor Freight for $8.00 on sale. Works fine. I did need them for installing springs and I shot a nut about 50 ft removing the top without compressing first. Watch your nuts if you don't compress. Theo __________________ White WRX Family Wagon

2004-08-10, 03:41 PM	#17
MattR El Matador Real Name: Matt Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 10,660 Car: 2012 Toyota Tacoma Class: ?	Ok __________________ "Dallas..We have a problem.”

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