Spring Compressor

[mattchq]

is the (autozone) universal jaw style spring compressor safe to use?

why or why not?

thanks

matt

[JonL]

Don't know what car you have, but it will not fit on many MBs. If it is two separate compressors, in other words two separate threaded rods with hooks on each end, then I think they are unsafe on any spring. They have a tendency to slip around next to each other resulting in a banana shaped spring that looks like it wants to escape. Then you have to gingerly release the tension on the screws, reset them, retighten them, and hope they don't slip around again while you handle the spring.

[turbobenz]

no, you need the correct tool. but i think you can get away with it on the rear springs

[SD Blue]

Originally Posted by mattchq

is the (autozone) universal jaw style spring compressor safe to use?

why or why not?

thanks

matt

Years ago, the autozone compressor was the first one I looked at. In a word......No. First of all the MB spring spacing is very close and it won't fit between the coils unless they're extended to a dangerous point. Second, the way it compresses is "upside down" for the access needed. Finally, the MB coils are very beefy in wire diameter and there were several pics here, showing bent screw rods. Very dangerous!

The best reason.......the correct spring compressor is available through the tool rental program for ~$30-35 and makes the job safe and definitely easier. Do a search for "tool rental program".

[compress ignite]

For SD Blue's Safety Suggestions.

One of these Coil Springs is capable of going through a cement block wall ,If
it gets away...A Human Body does not stand a chance in Hell!

I agree, I used my set of Autozone compressors on the driver side of my 240D, although it worked, with the nut facing down, my compressors were on the brink of stripped threads. These MB springs are of top quality and are thick and heavy duty (well.... its an MB, what do you expect? LOL) but anyways, it was hard to get the hooked ends into the coils, I had to pry them apart to fit the hooks in. After nearly stripping the threads, I said "Screw this"..... I was going to replace my LCA bushings, just for the hell of it, but after that crap, I took a closer look at the bushings and decided they werent really that bad anyways. Also, compressed springs are deadly if the compressor breaks. I was working on a chevy truck once when my clamp type compressor broke on me, and it sent the LCA of the truck into the concrete and shards of concrete flew out across the shop. Springs are NO JOKE!!!

[lowriderdog37]

Nope, I've tried.

[winmutt]

One of the guys I helped put his Vogtlands on blindly ignored me when I told him not to. He was doing it at his friends house in the garage. AFAIK they still havent patched the hole in the FLOOR where the spring compressor threads FAILED and rod went throught the CEILING.

Nuff said.

[uberwgn]

I've tried both Autozone rental tools. I quit long before I entered the danger zone...I could see there was no way in he|| they would work, not even close. Clearly a dangerous scenario.

I ended up buying the eBay tool which I (and others) have used many times.

[ichbineinekrous]

I'm going to break with the pack here and say it depends on yr application. I used an advance auto spring compressor on my front coils to compress the spring enough to replace the A-arms after getting new lower ball joints pressed in. Complete compression wasn't required. Also, I bought two lengths of chain and and boltable chain link as an extra safety consideration. I wish I could've rented the correct tool, but didn't have the $200 deposit at the time.

[bgkast]

Here is what the MB springs do to those compressors(I did not take these pictures)

[spark3542]

I had no problem using the AZ spring compressor on the front springs of my 210 to change the LCA. It is a center shaft, and took some creativity to get the cleats inside the spring coils and then assemble the unit inside the coil.

On a side note, the rear springs on my 126 did not require a spring compressor at all. Unbolt the diff, drop the frame down and the springs fall right out.

[fdanielson]

As described in this post http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1989547 I used a Lisle brand compressor which uses the words 'super safe' in the product description. The tool made for Mercedes springs would have been easier to use but this one will work on just about any coil spring and like Alton Brown I tend to stay away from unitaskers in my shop if I can.

[ctaylor738]

I am getting ready to replace the front and rear bushings on the trailing arms of my W110 (fintail). I need a spring compressor that works on the outside, because there's no way to get the tool into the inside of the spring. I looked at the Lisle unit, but it's for struts, not plain springs.

I found this one from Eastwood:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2441&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=coil%2Cspring.

It's made of 3 5/8" rods. Any opinions?

[ctaylor738]

Yes, I've seen the lurid pictures, but the Eastwood spec says it's not for struts but for coil springs. And I'm not finding much else in external compressors.