Where to get a coil spring compressor?

[Jeff H]

I plan on installing a leving kit. But looks like I'll need some way to compress the coil spring. Where to find such a tool. This will be my first time pulling a coil spring.

 

[jmeehan]

You should be able to rent one for a day. Check in the yellow pages for tool rentals.

Unless you plan on doing alot of this kind of work I don't think you want to buy your own.

 

[DAWG-1]

You don't need a spring compressor. Remove the sway bar bolts at the frame. Place jack stands under the frame behind the link brackets. Remove the upper shock nut. Remove the tires and let the suspension droop. This gives you enough of a droop (as long as you have tall enough jack stands) to install a leveling kit. Saam

 

[JohnE]

Hi Jeff;



I've usually been lucky enough to borrow from somewhere for the <em>special tooling</em> needs. The spring compressor owner got his from <a href=http://www.harborfreight.com/ target=_blank>Harbor Freight Tools</a>



FWIW, the rental compressors I've used are much more convenient to use than the ones from Harbor Freight.



-John

 

[work2muchplay2little]

DAWG-1 is exactly right. I installed the 4. 5" lift kit without a spring compressor. Just need to get the frame high enough. I had to use 3 2x12 blocks stacked on each side under the jack stands to get it high enough. Be sure to have your floor jack under the front axle with a little bit of upward pressure as you disconnect the sway bar and shock nuts, those springs are trying to expand and need to be controlled by letting the axle down nice and easy. Also need to watch the wiring/tubing lengths as you drop the axle and disconnect any that might be damaged by overstretching. Not a bad job overall. Good luck!

 

[Jeff H]

Wich method is easier?

 

[work2muchplay2little]

The shop manual specifies dropping the axle to remove the coil springs. There are some additional steps such as scribing the adjuster on the lower control arms and loosening the upper control arms not discussed in this thread. If you don't already have one, I'd highly recommend buying/borrowing a shop manual for this job.

 

[tobaccogrower]

compressor

jeff:

when i installed my leveling kit i tried to drop the axel two hours later i still hadn't gotten the springs out. i bought a compressor from auto zone(under 20 bucks) and within half a hour had the lift in. best thing is, i own a spring compressor for the next time







p. s if ya use a compressor, use a inpact gun to tighten the compresor up and down ... . james

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I'm with the other guys. My springs literally fell out on their own once you lowered the front axle enough. Make sure you have TALL truck jack stands to raise the frame up high to give you the needed room to lower the axle.