Spring compressor problems

[Rick Hall]

Has anyone who owns/uses the Sir Toll MB spring compressor had any problems with it? I purchased one last July ($600!!) and have used it no more than a dozen times when I had a problem last week. Replacing springs and struts last week, got the left side completed, started on the right and the "compressing rod" would not compress spring enough to get old spring out. The threaded center rod came through the top while in the compressing mode but would not compress enough to get old spring out. Talked with Oliver @ Sir Tools and he was less than helpful, stating that "We have had zero failures on that tool". Just curious, has anyone else had a problem with this tool?

[97slsix]

As long as tool is working normally and you just can't get the spring compressed quite enough then my observations from having just rented the tool are; I found that you can't slide the metal plate into the very top spring coil, because it is too tight. But you kind of have to get it in there in order to get enough compression. If you put the plate in a lower coil and rotate it around the spring you can get it at the very top. Also it is hard to get the spring out with the pad on it. I don't know if your car has spring pads but mine were huge. They screw/twist on so if you unscrew from top of spring you have a lot more clearance to get the spring out. HTH

[wbain5280]

Did you have enough of the spring coils between the plates?

What model car is it? Can you post a pic or two?

I bought one for my W126 from ZDMACK last year and have had no problems either.