Coil Suspension Spring Compressor

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
Grumpy, I need to replace the front suspension components on a 2005 lincoln
PICT3392.jpg

I need a suspension spring compressor, to do the job, but I don,t have a ton of cash... got any suggestions?


Well on lots of cars the suspension springs require a spring compressor to access or replace parts, professional tools can easily cost $500-$1000 or more,making owning one prohibitively expensive,
The best compressor for the job - or even one that will work - is dependent on what vehicle you are working on and the accessibility to the components which can differ a great deal
you can borrow a cheap manual dual screw clamp, suspension spring compressor from auto zone or some other auto parts stores in many places ,if you leave a security deposit
the cheap tool most places have, looks like this pair of clamps and while it can get the job done in most cases its a real P.I.T.A. to use or get access

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...MIwrWRv7yU5gIVD56fCh0b3wyiEAQYBSABEgJw0_D_BwE
these are better than the hf, in my opinion

https://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-63262.html
spgn1.jpg




tools like this one pictured below are still reasonably priced but only a bit better and easier to use
https://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html
spgn2.jpg


about the least expensive option that Ive used that worked reasonably well, is
above, this set pictured above , that I borrowed from a neighbor,
I got the job done with some difficulty,
but after that experience, I started looking for a much better option,s



if you're going to do the job every few months, or just want the job to be much easier
get something a bit more substantial it costs about $100 plus shipping but its a much better option in my opinion and still not near the cost of the pro-level tools


https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=3+ton+spring+compressor
spgn3.jpg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spring-Com...240371?hash=item4b33c734b3:g:A7oAAOSw5ZtaVdM1

https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.c...MI5ODR5IC27gIVQaCGCh3LewDCEAQYAiABEgIUefD_BwE


spng4.jpg

decent pro tools cost $800-$1200
spgn4.jpg

https://www.mechanicstoolswarehouse...MI9YjUqqDZ5QIV0_7jBx09Zg_uEAsYBCABEgI5evD_BwE
 
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Autozone rents tools and when you take them back they give you all your money back.

Yes they do.. the problem to weigh in on is that you have to ask yourself, how many times will you use it, the cost of gas and the time it takes to drive there and back can add up quick. I have rented that balancer installer quite a few times now. Here I am finding that I need to use it again! I am just going to purchase it and keep it in my cabinet this time.
 
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