What spring compressor to buy

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Nanonevol
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Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
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What spring compressor to buy

Postby Nanonevol » Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:39 pm

Cold and snow are coming and I'm preparing to put the '77 up for brake work and other stuff. I'd also like to cut a coil off the springs and while I know I can probably borrow a spring compressor, I see some on ebay for $25 and under, shipped. Can anyone advise as to the type I'll need and if these cheapo ones will do the job? Or Harbor Freight has this one for $15!
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1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

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njoconnor
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Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider

Re: What spring compressor to buy

Postby njoconnor » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:40 pm

That may work, but I'd recommend spending a little more and get one of these:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C2370

PITA to insert and line up, but it holds the spring, and is safer than a lot of other methods.

Neil
Neil O'Connor
Madison, WI
72 FIAT 124 Spider
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DieselSpider
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Re: What spring compressor to buy

Postby DieselSpider » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:42 pm

They may work however they are meant for use on MacPherson Strut assemblies after they have been removed from the vehicle and not for coil over shock assemblies that are still in the vehicle. Be sure to use the safety hooks and religiously follow the instruction manual especially about tightening each side evenly and very gradually or the spring will offset itself and potentially fly out and kill you.

Here is the Manual for that set:
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61654.pdf

bobplyler
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Re: What spring compressor to buy

Postby bobplyler » Sat Oct 10, 2015 12:31 pm

Those are meant for when the struts have been removed. I don't think they'll fit with the springs in the car.
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
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focodave
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Re: What spring compressor to buy

Postby focodave » Sat Oct 10, 2015 7:43 pm

I've used the one mentioned above, from O'Reilly.
I had to add a pipe nipple to the shaft so that the threaded rod did not "bottom" out in the upper shock tower before the spring was fully compressed.
By adding the pipe, you will be able to compress the spring enough to remove it safely.
I also had to remove the curved arms and re-install them to the compressor's rectangular metal blocks --- inside the spring while the spring was still in place.
It is not hard, but you have to be patient and have good dexterity in the old fingers to get the thing re-assembled while in-situ.
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Nanonevol
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Re: What spring compressor to buy

Postby Nanonevol » Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:50 am

Thank youse. I don't expect it to be easy and I hope not to get killed or maimed.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

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toplessexpat
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Your car is a: 1976 Spider 1800
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Re: What spring compressor to buy

Postby toplessexpat » Mon Oct 12, 2015 11:37 pm

I seem to recall someone on here posting that they'd found one intended for Mercedes springs.... was v high quality and v safe.
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