Re-shocks and spring seperation

you need special tools.


These are what i've home-made ( 20+ years ago) and use for my cars but there are better (and saver!) tools available nowadays.
For safety reasons only, considder a pro for this job.
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Take them to a shop that does this type of work, e.g. any shop that does macpherson struts. Since you are likely to do this work only once it is not worth getting an arbor press, making attachments, etc.

The energy stored in those springs once compressed is lethal.

 

not sure. The space at the spring at the absorber side is pretty narrow. I think this tools hook might be too big

 

what exactly are you looking for?

 

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Roy, yes, those spring compressors will work just fine.

There's another DIY version which is very similar, but a bit safer, as it has pins that positively located the spring within the hook - I use this version and it works great and is pretty close to 100% safe.

But yours should be fine, no need to waste the time and money on a specialty shop for such a simple job. For a little extra safety you might want to use two pieces of rope on each spring - one each running parallel to the compressor - which you can progressively tighten as the spring compresses (and then slowly release as the spring is being released).

Good luck!
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I have used spring compressors for years. I do like the little extra safety Cliff shows - never saw one like that. It is a simple procedure to change the springs. The key is take your time and make sure the spring compressor is on the spring securly then just slowly toggle back and forth between the 2 sides to compress evenly.

 

+1 please be very careful I've been taking struts apart for for about 20+ years.
Has not happen to me (thank God) but I've heard people died from mishandling the strut assembly when the spring came loose and someone got hit on the chest and severely got injured to near death. Not trying to scare you but please treat it like a bomb with lots of respect.

 

There are many slightly different spring compressors out there.

A few cautions, keep the two bolt type compressors directly opposite each other, if they are not directly opposite, they can slide on the spring with potentially bad results.

Second, make sure that the hooks do not press on the shock body, it may dent the tube and if you are going to try to rebuild the shock, this could screw up a shock body.

While it is true that the original Konis are adjustable, they are not easily adjustable. Having to use a spring compressor to get the spring off to fully compress the shaft to make the adjustment is a lot of work. Just turning an exterior knob is the way to go

chris

 

One other thing about using a spring compressor. Mine have a safety clamp to keep the compressor connected to the spring. If the compressor slips off the spring, the clamp (theoretically) keeps whole thing from flying apart.