Car - Shock absorber spring change failure.

This video was made when I attempted to change the spring in the front MacPherson strut. There were few reasons it happened:
- I had no experience,
- did not watch KZbin videos long enough,
- I rushed through the process,
- the spring compressors have fault in safety pin design (pin is loose),
I just managed to avoid injuries and the only damaged occurred was bent shelf of which strut bounced back. I feel very lucky here.
If you are going to change the strut yourself be careful, do it in open space, do not lean over the strut and also remember that things go wrong in a split of a second.
I changed the spring and may post the video later on in the year if time allows.

[@Asto508]

It's quite impressive how long it lasted actually considering how far you overcompressed the coils AND put the bulk of tension on one side only.

[@shedmadein4115]

It's quite impresive I got away with it without injury. Rod was sliding back and I did not notice that. This is why I compressed it so hard. Thanks for your comment. SMI

[@macsloan58]

Yeah….pretty damned stupid

[@armoredpig]

Glad you're OK. I just did springs on my new Ranger and it was scary. No accidents tho!

[@shedmadein4115]

It's very scary. On my second attempt I tied down the spring with lashing straps to the bench. My advice to anybody attempting this first time, would be to ask for help of somebody who did it and is confident what and how to do or just take the strut to garage and let them do it with professional equipment. Thanks for your comment and stay safe.

[@zzoinks]

​@@shedmadein4115 I might take mine to the garage so they can do my springs! That was scary. Did you figure out anything you did wrong that resulted in the failure? Just trying to learn so I can avoid that mistake, or I will just take it to a professional. I honestly wouldn't do a spring compression on my own without a strap securing the spring as a backup in case the compressor somehow fails. (After seeing and hearing horror stories)

[@ConsensusX]

@@shedmadein4115 You guys are either dummies or brokies. You do realize that you can get a strut tower ASSEMBLY, right? You could literally die trying to save $100.

[@manni5072]

way to overcompressed! And remember to chain the spring so it doesn't fly like a crazy spring!

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, You are absolutely right. I learnt my lesson and when working on the other side I tie down the spring to the workbench. The overcompression is a result of the rod sliding back slightly with a spring...again lack of experience. Silly and dangerous mistake. Thanks for the comment. Best regards SMI

[@mikeoman7601]

Glad you’re okay. I saw immediately what caused it. I like your oring idea. When I first used one of these I could tell the pins were key to preventing failure but I also was not impressed with their inability to stay pushed in securely. I have another strut replacement coming up that I will be using this tool again. This time with some orings. Great tip.

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, I think patient is the key here. I learnt my lesson. Thanks for your comment. SMI

[@carlosgil9325]

There are too many errors in the application of these types of tools. Tightening or loosening should be done alternately, little by little 15 to 19 mm each time; keep the oppressors at 180° from the circumference; correctly place the locks of the oppressors; do not use impact wrench; avoid compressing the springs too much.

[@shedmadein4115]

I agree. I was my first time. Can be dangerous if someone have no experience. Thanks for your commnet.

[@jghall00]

I hope everyone is wearing safety glasses when working on their vehicles! Even if an object it aimed away from you, things can get bounced around.

[@tonysolar284]

Not compressed properly and not pinned = Failure

[@shedmadein4115]

Newbs mistake. Thanks for your comment Best regards SMI

[@mosttemp]

the trick is to feel the pressure by hand turn and keep them equal . not the space between them .

[@mosttemp]

if one is tight you loosen the other till it feel less or equal

[@lotusmanb3832]

Compressor jaw locks not engaged, check... Using an impact gun, check... Way to much unnecessary tension on the spring, check... One side tighter than the other, check. BOIIING ! Lucky you lived thru that one.

[@jamess8407]

Literally the most dangerous tool ive ever had! I had the exact same set as the ones you have and they are the most AWFUL compressors, the slight wrong movement and its like this, I trapped my hand twice between them as they slung around to the other side (to each other) and had to wait in pain until my father undone them. Never would I buy them again, ever! They're stupidly dangerous.

[@shedmadein4115]

Yes. I agree. I was scarred to tenssion it. It was purely my mistake as I did not noticed that the rod was backing off. Thanks for your comment.

[@jamess8407]

@@shedmadein4115 it scared me too, when they slip it happens so fast you don't have time to react! They're extremely dangerous.

[@-sargntclashroyaleandmore-491]

I recommend getting the compressors with the 2 teeth for the bottom and top part. Much better grip and less chance of sliding

[@zzoinks]

​@@shedmadein4115 what do you mean by rod? Thanks

[@spaace9414]

ur compressing ur spring for no reason ?..... u took the dampener bolt off there for it was ready for the new strut... and way to over compressed start small and see if u can get dampener bolt in a little bit then compress more and more little by little each side. dnt cut corners with the impact.

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, The spring needs to be slightly compressed to be able to add nut. In this case I did not notice that the rod was sliding slightly back while I was compressing the spring. That is why overcompressed the spring. Thanks for your comment. Best regards SMI

[@Ruoja71]

I am here specifically to see what happens if I fail when I will be changing mine. It seemns like changing guitar strings, but you die instead of loosing an eye if you fail...

[@TheRealDragonblood45]

Not supposed to use an impact

[@shedmadein4115]

Exactly :) and should apply more patient. Thanks for your comment. Best regards SMI

[@bryancohen]

Boom goes the dynamite.

[@shedmadein4115]

The man surrvived. Thanks.

[@jamesjackson7616]

What exactly is the purpose of compressing the spring this much? Bc I can’t find a reason. There’s literally no reason to compress a spring that much unless you wanna know how far it can compress before breaking the compressor

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, Lack of experience. I did not notice that rod was sliding slightly back while I was compressing the spring. Thanks for your comment. Best regards SMI

[@CmdrShepardsPie]

Looks like you didn’t have the safety pins in. Was that just an oversight? I can’t tell but it didn’t look like the compressors broke or failed otherwise.

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, Safety pins are rubbish on those things and slide off when you move the whole assembly around. I added small orings later on to prevent them from sliding. But in this case it was my own fault, not enough experience and lack of patience. I overcompressed the spring as did not notice that the shock absorber rod was sliding back. In this case...Mea culpa...;) Thanks for your comment. Good luck and stay safe when using those things. SMI

[@mike289homebuilt5]

Ive had one side come loose but mine is heavy duty. I started using 3 or 4 compressors helps alot. Maybe wall mounted compressor is the best

[@shedmadein4115]

Compressors are ok for once in a Blue Moon use...just operator not so much ;) Thanks for your comment. SMI

[@CraigsDIY]

Hi, would you mind if I use a clip of this video in one of my own as an example of what-not-to-do?

[@spooky5338]

and this is exactly why I'm going for a complete strut and spring assembly by KYB, wayyyy safer

[@patricks488]

Lol have fun with junky quick struts

[@patricks488]

Or you can buy actually good quality shocks, and pay a shop literally half an hour of time to replace them

[@spooky5338]

@@patricks488 This car has 150k miles on it and is obsolete. I cannot find springs for the car in the US, and they are likely the originals. I can find struts, but I need both. It would probably be $1000 for me to get all the OEM parts to the United States, I do not have any other option really.

[@shedmadein4115]

Thanks for your comment. Best regards SMI

[@shedmadein4115]

I like to fix things rather than replace. The car was at that time "playground" for diy. Thanks for your comment. SMI

[@Lymborium]

Never use an impact wrench on any spring compressors.

[@feathermerchant]

The lisle 62300 MacPherson strut tool instructions state to tighten with an impact wrench. This works fine if you tighten each side in small steps.

[@pcman87654]

I always opted out of these gadgets and always used ratchet straps instead. Now I just take my struts and springs to a shop and get them to compress all 4 for me for $100

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, Defienietly safer option to use a garage. Gadgets need experienced operator. Best regards SMI

[@transam8607]

Very lucky that's y i don't like these type spring compressors and I still use the same ones they scare me.

[@shedmadein4115]

I'm still shaken when I look at it. Thanks for your comment.

[@gplusgplus2286]

Be careful and don't buy the amazon 19.99 spring compressor kit..

[@shedmadein4115]

...or be careful what you doing and how it you doing ;) Thanks for your comment. SMI

[@mastergx1]

You had locking spring compressors and didnt use all the locks!

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, The locks were keep on opening. I added small orings later on to hold them in position. The spring was overcompressed, as the strut rod was sliding back with a spring - I did not noticed that. Thanks for comment and best regards. SMI

[@pianothatilove]

So what did you do wrong? Did you apply to much force on one side resulting in an uneven pressure?

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, There were few things which went wrong. At that moment I was removing tension from the springs, rushed things and remove too much tension on one side. There was a little bit more to this as this particular tensioners have safety pin which should prevent this kind of situation. The issue is that the pins have no restriction on movement, any kind of vibrations/disturbance can disengage them. After this I added small o’rings to the pins so they can be hold in close position.

[@zpkpk]

@@shedmadein4115 also the tensioners were not square so they slipped when you undid the other.

[@superbenlantz]

@@shedmadein4115 The Blue-Point ones have detentes that keep the pins in place. They are not terribly expensive. Around $100 as I recall.

[@hariman7727]

"Always use proper equipment and wear safety equipment!"

[@shedmadein4115]

...and use brain ;) The rod was sliding back which I did not notices and overcompressed. My fault. Best regards and stay safe. SMI

[@hariman7727]

@@shedmadein4115 thank you. You as well!

[@ad9ack82]

I use three, sometimes four of them.

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, It was not quantity issue. It was operator mistake. I squeezed it too much as did not noticed the rod was slipping back in. I would put some kind of sand bags at the ends so the bags can absorb the energy but will not bouce the shock absorber back. Best regards SMI

[@Grayxlx]

The safety pins were all slid out....

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, You are right. I added small o'rings to stop them sliding freely. But on this occassion it would not help. The rod was sliding back and I overcompressed...lack of experience. Thanks for your comment. Best regards SMI

[@jptrainor]

I put in my hockey helmet (which has a face cage) for this diy job.

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, Good idea but it want help you if that ram will hit other parts of your body. I was thinking about sand bags...something hard to move and able to absorb the energy so the ram have limited ability to bounce off. Generally can be dangarous job. Thanks for your comment. Best regards SMI

[@tylerb3023]

Just put weights on the spring so it won’t pop up

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, I would not recomend that. There is so much force in the spring that the strut and the weigths would probbaly fly. I was thinking maybe a sandbags, so when hit absorbs energy rather than bounce the strut back. Thanks for your comment. SMI

[@TheJosephayal]

i use ratchet straps for extra safety

[@shedmadein4115]

Next time I will use bags with sand and a little bit more brain ;) Thanks for the comment. SMI

[@ricardomarte1902]

Lol

[@shedmadein4115]

Was not funny. Be careful.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Just having a tool does not mean you know how to use it. Too many mistakes to even list here.

[@PetterVodka]

did the compressor break?

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, No, it was my fault. It was my first ever attempt and I rushed things and did not paid attention. It's quite scarry what it can do to a person. Be careful, do not rush, leave space arround it and use straps to restrict spring so it can not jump into your face. That is my lesson learnt. Good luck.