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Spring Compressor

L

Lightning Struck

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Those that installed lowering springs themselves, what type of spring compressor did you use?
 

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

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You need a strut spring compressor. O'Reilly has them as free rental tools. You leave a deposit until I return it but it’s free at the end.
 

OP
L

Lightning Struck

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I'll have to check, but I'm pretty sure I've got this style from back when I had my S550. Although I never used it.

1697546717202.png
 

C

Cdubya

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Lightning Struck said:
I'll have to check, but I'm pretty sure I've got this style from back when I had my S550. Although I never used it.

View attachment 20045
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I wouldn't recommend those. get the two piece kind. They can be rented but are so cheap nowadays it is better to just buy a ser for convenience. Many have plastic storage cases too.

OEMTOOLS 27036 10.75 Inch MacPherson Strut Spring Compressor, Set of 2 Universal Spring Compressor Tool Automotive, 9.75 Inch Maximum Safe Opening, Carrying Case Included https://a.co/d/6PCYRf0
 

W

WaferTech

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Cdubya said:
I wouldn't recommend those. get the two piece kind. They can be rented but are so cheap nowadays it is better to just buy a ser for convenience. Many have plastic storage cases too.

OEMTOOLS 27036 10.75 Inch MacPherson Strut Spring Compressor, Set of 2 Universal Spring Compressor Tool Automotive, 9.75 Inch Maximum Safe Opening, Carrying Case Included https://a.co/d/6PCYRf0
Click to expand...
I've always needed 3 Strut Spring Compressors, so I bought 2 sets (4 total) from Amazon. Plus I'm not sure which set of springs I'll end up with, suspect I'll change them a few times.
 

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Lightning Struck

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I'll probably just pick up two set from the Hazard Fraught down the road.
 

UNBROKEN

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If an impact won’t knock it off go old school on it. Take a 3/8 drive spark plug socket, run a 1/4” extension through the hole and put a shallow 10mm socket on it. Drop the 10mm on the shaft then the spark plug socket on the nut. Hold the shaft with a ratchet on the extension then break the nut loose with a wrench on the spark plug socket. IMG_3912.jpeg IMG_3913.jpeg IMG_3914.jpeg
 

C

Cruising68

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ConspicuousConsumption said:
I’m having a hard time breaking the top nut free. Any advice?
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Usually will pop off with an impact. That or spray it with penetrant overnight. Don’t know if the ST has a hex in the top or an indent on the strut tube.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

C

ConspicuousConsumption

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Well it appears that Tammy Lynne at the ford plant took her marital woes out on my top nut. So I’ll let it soak overnight and come at it again.
Getting the strut out of the vehicle was a 5 minute job. Taking the nut off has become a 3 hour job, without success
 

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ConspicuousConsumption said:
Well it appears that Tammy Lynne at the ford plant took her marital woes out on my top nut. So I’ll let it soak overnight and come at it again.
Getting the strut out of the vehicle was a 5 minute job. Taking the nut off has become a 3 hour job, without success
Click to expand...
See post #10…
 

I Bleed Ford Blue

I Bleed Ford Blue

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When I lowered my 21 I rented a spring comp, but for the 23 I just went to harbor freight and bought this

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

Also, I did as UNBROKEN suggested for the top nut, worked like a charm.
When I was putting the front struts back together, I was able to just push down on the top hat by hand enough to get the nut started, no compressor needed for the eibach front springs.
 

C

ConspicuousConsumption

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I Bleed Ford Blue said:
When I lowered my 21 I rented a spring comp, but for the 23 I just went to harbor freight and bought this

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

Also, I did as UNBROKEN suggested for the top nut, worked like a charm.
When I was putting the front struts back together, I was able to just push down on the top hat by hand enough to get the nut started, no compressor needed for the eibach front springs.
Click to expand...
I used the same HF compressors. They worked well. But I did need to use them when installing the Steeda springs. They really don’t drop the ride that much
 

I Bleed Ford Blue

I Bleed Ford Blue

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I had the same issue on my 21, I put steeda springs on that one and I wasn't happy with the overall ride so I went with eibach this time. After settling and alignment they are around 1.5-1.75" F and 2" R
 

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

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Technically you don’t even need a spring compressor at all. Just pop the top nut off while the strut is still in the car, blow off the 2 lower bolts and lower your jack until the strut and spring fall out. Swap springs and bump stops, throw the 2 bolts back in with no nuts and raise it back into place, slap the top nut back on then drop the whole thing out to set the dust cover back into place. Doesn’t take any longer than dropping the strut and fighting with a compressor that’s generally dangerous AF anyway.
 

C

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UNBROKEN said:
Technically you don’t even need a spring compressor at all. Just pop the top nut off while the strut is still in the car, blow off the 2 lower bolts and lower your jack until the strut and spring fall out. Swap springs and bump stops, throw the 2 bolts back in with no nuts and raise it back into place, slap the top nut back on then drop the whole thing out to set the dust cover back into place. Doesn’t take any longer than dropping the strut and fighting with a compressor that’s generally dangerous AF anyway.
Click to expand...
holy hell man I wish you lived next door to me.
 

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