Unfortunately, while using the coil spring compressor, it stripped, or was stripped and I didnt notice it. I left it on the table and went to look for Allen but couldn’t find him and then I got distracted and left it on the table.
Regards
Mark
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Thanks for letting us know, will pick up a new one after next board meeting if we get more funds.
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I would suggest moving towards a wall mounted one.
The female threaded part is stripped out, but the threaded rod is fine. I put two nuts on the rod, either side of the destroyed thread. The tool can be used, but it is less convenient than it was. A new one, maybe not from H-F, would be a good idea.
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Back when I used one of these semi-daily we made them last a whole lot longer by doing 2 things:
- thrust bearing at the top (we used an old alternator ball bearing, so it wasn’t even a proper thrust bearing, still did the job of preventing the screw from “biting in”)
- NO AIR TOOLS
you could use as large a breaker bar as you like, but we had to forbid power tools because they caused the threads to self-desctruct in no time, even if greased…
As to this unit, I like the solution already implemented. Install a wrap-around to tie the 2 nuts to the bar and each other, and it should work for a while.
Going forward, how about going a little “makery” on it, and making this unit fit for use again?
Example, put a thrust washer stack under the screw head on the top bar, drill out the lower threads and replace with an ACME screw/nut and/or ballscrew setup…
Grainger sells overpriced stuff that might fit the bill…
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Need to chunk this. My brother and I fought with it for two hours, all kinds of problems. My brother is a professional mechanic for 30 years and his opinion is anything that compresses and holds forces this great you DO NOT JURY RIG or keep around when it isn’t operating at 100%. Somebody will get hurt or worse. I would chunk the thing immediately, and find a good one on craigslist or just not have one around.
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Need to chunk this. My brother and I fought with it for two hours, all
kinds of problems. My brother is a professional mechanic for 30 years
and his opinion is anything that compresses and holds forces this great
you DO NOT JURY RIG or keep around when it isn’t operating at 100%.
Agreed.
Car springs contain an insane amount of potential energy and can become a hyper-lethal missile if suddenly released. More than one person and piece of equipment can be damaged by such an event - it isn’t worth taking a chance.
Also, it is hard enough working on a car; you shouldn’t have to fight your tools as well.
JAG “Force = Mass X Acceleration” MAN
Good point, can anyone at the space go ahead and throw it in the dumpster?
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Think the board would spring for a good $150 hydraulic one? That would make a strut job easy and 30 minutes…
I have to make a small and squeaky objection to buying a “free standing” or “wall mount” one due to the fact that I have worked on more than one car which required the spring be compressed ON THE CAR.
However, right now, I’d be hard-pressed to tell you what those were, and it was years ago and therefore my protest is weak at best.
I also fear a lack of wall/floor space for one…
Having said that…
ten people donate $15 and we could have one on order…
PS Not a fan of hydraulic floor/wall mount; I prefer those with the big screw wheels b/c they’re inherently safer and, in my opinion, faster. I’ll see if I can find pics…
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Jeep… or truck, or pretty much anything that isn’t a sedan with a spring / strut combo (i.e. spring / shock combo).
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Plus not sure I would want to dedicate the floor space to a single purpose machine like a free standing hydraulic spring compressor. Which of these would be best to have at the space? I can go ahead and order anything up to $175, which will bring estimated auto funds to 0 until the board meeting next week
Two threaded rods
Clamshell (Different manufacturer from one that broke)
Single rod with forks
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Pretty sure the “two threaded rods” style is on the shelf, but perhaps they’re not the space’s or for some other reason are unusable.
For my $$, the clamshell’s the best, with some mods and some ground rules to make 'em last and be easier to use.
Never tried one of the single rods with forks, so, I have no opinion on it.
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Clamshell is much better and safer. The single rod won’t handle larger springs.
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The kind I ‘rented’ at AutoZone is in the pic attached. They were ok, but still a pain. The hydraulic ones wouldn’t be in the way, maybe fit by the shelves. They sure are a lot easier to use, and will do 90 percent of the passenger cars and trucks out there. We can’t please everyone with a one tool fits all, but we can take care of the majority of the members here. Big 4x4 and jeeps need big spring compressors anyway, a lot bigger that what we would buy for passenger cars and trucks.
Edit: you wouldn’t need to bolt to floor, you could brace it against the shelves. All the force is vertical, we’re just keeping it from tipping. That way you could move it easily if needed. We did that in a shop my brother ran, and it was safe and convenient.
hulu
We had the clamshell design I think, but they should be thrown away by now. The two rod kind are in the pic above.
If you’re going to spend $175 for clamshell, which is probably the best choice of those, please spend 30 more and get the ones below. Fast, easy compression, cuts the strut job time in half. I’ll chip in $ if others will also.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003N33WQK/ref=pd_aw_sbs_469_3?refRID=165HAGC5KS94NG8JFBZ2
Any progress on this? Got a prelude being for new front struts…
Not yet, board meeting is tomorrow where I’m requesting more funds for auto committee, might be faster to rent a tool if you need it asap
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No, just need to soon. I can wait. Thanks
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