Mechanic Tip: Compressing Coil Springs

[@ogdav57247]

Ha-ha..."If you die, it ain't my fault"...

[@TechnicianRed]

👀

[@Randyplaysguitars]

Would make a great bumper sticker 🤣

[@greatnew_products7436]

"If you DIE we split your gear"😮

[@ozzykrahn806]

i laughed to

[@thehentaibible4594]

Best disclaimer ever 🤣

[@BobJohnson878]

only thing more scary than exploding angle grinder discs are coil springs

[@stevej6824]

Them angle grinder discs are no joke. I had a 4 1/2” disc come apart and a piece of it went through my welding chaps and tore my leg open on the inner side of my right knee. Had to had several internal stitches and 15 staples to close it up.

[@outkast937]

Itll be alright, just... Dont use hose clamps.. dont ask me why i know that either... Just... Dont use hose clamps... I promise you, there is not a number of hose clamps that will both hold that coil and actually fit on that coil 😂

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

Good Grief !! If anyone understood this video, you must be a top mechanic.

[@chrisreibold1634]

Or split rims, or garage door springs

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Was so glad that something told me to put on a pair of those gray sorta leather and cloth gardening gloves, because I had to "just make a quick cut". Disc exploded and sliced into my right hand glove in the web area between your thumb and 1st finger. Left a heck of a red mark on me and a piece was stuck in the glove. When you say: oh it'll just take a second......that's when the 💩 will hit the fan and you better put some safety gear on.

[@DavidTheMechanic]

I've been doing this for 40 years and I've never had to compress a front suspension coil spring just let your jack down slowly the spring just falls out. replace your control arm. Put the spring back in there and jack it up good to go

[@DeadeyeDgen]

I'm glad you wrote this. I was thinking the same exact thing or if you're working on a lift you can just put One of the big jack stands under and then use the lift to raise it up

[@DSD.JkingAround]

People love making simple things complicated lol I've only used a jack on a setup like this

[@angelobegay]

Saying the same thing lol

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Only problem with that is when you do a Ford panther platform from the late 70s to the 90s. Ford puts a lip in the control arm, so it’s a huge pain in the ass to get over that little hump. When you lower the control arm, the spring arcs sharply, then you have to pry it out with a prybar and it goes flying. What I do is put a ratchet strap on the inside of the curve to hold it in that shape to get it back in the control arm. Taking it off is a little trickier. Have to use two tiedown straps to get over the lip.

[@zachattack1433]

When your only using a jack this helps when your trying to lift a truck 6 inches. But the outside spring compressor works fine. And is much simpler than the inside because you can still put the strut in while its compressed

[@timrussell1559]

Had a spring compressor pop loose on a 3/4 ton pick up truck one day while in the process of replacing the lower control arm bushings. That big heavy spring flew right by me like a bottle rocket, shot 40 feet across the shop then tore a big chunk of concrete out of a cinder block wall. They most definitely can(and will!) remove half of your skull in one second flat!

[@TechnicianRed]

Absolutely! I definitely don't recommend the inexperienced to mess around with them.

[@commonsenseisdeadin2024]

First off..... Unload it before working near it Secondly..... A ratchet strap goes a LONG way! Best thing to do IF the spring isn't going back in is cutting torch or my go to, a plasma cutter before removing any components and voila, no more TONS of fun springs looking to kill anything in sight! (SEE what I did there? 😂)

[@fluoriteheals]

DAYUM!!! Glad no one was injured or killed.

[@zzoinks]

​@@commonsenseisdeadin2024wouldn't the energy release as soon as you cut the spring while it is compressed to any extent so the spring will violently unload?

[@Average_Ohio_Citizen_]

But not my ENTIRE skull? 💀

[@nrs4175]

Him putting his finger in between the spring when it was under load with the spring compressor is the equivalent to looking at a loaded shotgun down the barrel🤣

[@ryan97civic]

Never put your fingers where you wouldn’t put your PP 😂

[@electric_thumbs]

As long as nobody has their hands on the trigger what's the problem

[@_Stormfather]

​@@electric_thumbs the problem is that you should never play around with your life on the assumption that things are going to work the way they're supposed to.

[@electric_thumbs]

@@_Stormfather got one for you. Seems it's not a problem to remove the spring on that truck but getting it back in is a whole other story. Too long to get it to touch the top and still be able to slide the bottom up over the control arm and into the seating tray. I tried compressing against the frame but even at a 4 cm compression it's dangling too low to raise up the control arm to meet the wheel. I haven't tried connecting the control arm to the wheel and jacking up the mounting bushings to meet the frame. Would that be a whole lot easier and with less potential energy having to be stored in spring due to not having to compress it as much?

[@_Stormfather]

@@electric_thumbs I'm not sure what gave you the impression that I was an expert on how to do this, but I'm not. Doesn't take an expert to know that big spring + compression + bare hands = bad idea.

[@TimBlann]

Free advice. Add a small chain inside the spring and wrap it around the outside too and then wrap around a frame component and put the hook through a link. If the spring compressor fails and it can very easily, the chain dampens the spring if a failure occurs and it will not kill you. Words to "live" by.

[@sussybaca7256]

Thats how i was taught.

[@commonsenseisdeadin2024]

Chains sound like you're giving the spring a weapon! I use ratchet straps 🤷

[@allahsnackbar9915]

and then the chain suddenly fails and now you have a hand grenade==)

[@rolsta2871]

@@commonsenseisdeadin2024 I used plastic baler twine (lots of it)

[@Ken72142]

I used a hose clamp and it worked

[@dangeary2134]

Back when struts and springs did not come as a unit, I used the weight of the car to uninstall and reinstall the replacement strut. Also used that same method to remove and replace springs on any vehicle with A frames. Never was in any danger.

[@psykology9299]

Wild they always used to sell them as units here and now they dont anymore 😂😂

[@rickybobbydastar6534]

I’m just going to buy the whole set less risk involved .

[@yrufollowingme]

It's the fine print for me. Instant like and follow. I'll take all the tips I can when it comes to turning wrenches. Much appreciated.

[@michaelwiddifield920]

I'm a mechanic and I can tell you for certain brother the tip at the end of the video was the best tip of the day make sure you got enough room to wind that down cuz if that's spring explodes out of there you going to get it hurting

[@CatherineThompson98]

I'm looking to just replace my bump stops the spring sits over them, and they sit over the thing this guy unscrewed. I'm a woman, so I have small hands that should be able to reach up to remove the old bump stops. Will I need to compress my Fiat 500 rear suspension springs to replace the bump stops? 😊

[@rogueroger0]

Use your jack under the control arm... slowly release pressure, it's designed to not be compressed when lower arm is all the way down

[@lilwhiteexpresstruck7943]

Maybe I'm a mad lad, but I usually just put a jack under the lower control arm lol

[@e.b.6766]

Same here…

[@PeterTaylor-b3t]

Same here

[@RealWorldGarage]

Same. Hell I’ve done it with a jackstand and the lift.

[@SerratedAMG]

Torsion bar gang here looking at all my fingerless spring coil friendos.

[@aaronwalker8798]

Not a mad lad, just wise enough to not waste all that money on those chinsy compressors or waste all that time trying to get hurt. The floor jack under the control arm, I've never done it another way. Quick and easy peasy! The rookies these days!

[@josequervo1959]

Please do not put your fingers in any holes even if it’s just to feel around, just had a coworker lose his whole finger because he put his finger in the bottom bolt hole for the front struts and he was prying on the spring to get the bolt lined up and used his finger to feel for it and his pry bar broke loose and I had to fish his finger out of the hole but by then it was too late to get his finger back on and then I left it in the garbage can and a bird came by and ate it, dead serious this just happened in the last 48 hours please be careful with suspension systems!

[@e.b.6766]

WTF?!?!

[@fredc8618]

Why the garbage can? 😅 why not the freezer so he can eat it later

[@Rowganlife]

RIP finger.

[@dontcallmemarty2177]

I have seen 2 people lose the tip of their finger this way

[@lawrencevogt7430]

I always take a small chain up around the frame and around the axle of a floor jack and jump it in place try it works like a champ

[@shaneapplegate1975]

When I was a kid I saw this old man go flying through the air in the junkyard between rows of cars. He looked like he was dead laying in the dirt next to an old gremlin. A coil spring head came out and hit him in the chest and blew him about 20 ft through the wrecking yard. I learned a life lesson right there as a teenager I will never forget ✌️

[@fluoriteheals]

WOW!

[@trxtech3010]

oh yeah I'm sure you did....sounds like a pretty made up story to me. Everybody always has some sort of crazy story about coil Springs and this just sounds like another one of those 🙄

[@shaneapplegate1975]

@@trxtech3010 have you ever even been to a wrecking yard and seen what goes on in there? Sure you have 🤣😂😅🤣

[@JeffF-gc3df]

Nice tip. For me, it's about 25 years too late, when I removed and replaced my HD springs on my '79 T/A multiple times. I swear I thought that single internal compressor was gonna break almost every time!

[@billrimmer5596]

This guy knows his stuff. Watch his vid on installing a rack without the normal anchors. I installed mine just the way he suggested. Worked perfect!!

[@timmyers1006]

I have the internal spring compressor, and it does work fine. I have also used the floor jack method also. both work.

[@timothyconner4255]

or you can put a floor jack under the spring and remove the compression tool and then slowly lower the floor jack. Making sure that your head and body are out-of-the-way. Ha ha.

[@eric63377]

I do this but I also wrap a chain through the spring and around the lower control arm so if it shoots out it won't go far at all.

[@jorgesoto4847]

I do the same with no issues.

[@KGisthenameman]

This is terrible advice

[@cIick_bait]

ive done it on several vehicles including one with a spring that was so long it started to bend sideways. worked great everytime.

[@KGisthenameman]

@@cIick_bait As have I, but remember that people of all walks of life come to KZbin to look for advice. Too many of them shouldnt even by all accounts be anywhere near a coil trying to do anything with it. Seeing comments like this will come across to them as it being a safe enough deal, which it isn't. I am a collision tech and have been a mechanic prior to that, so while I would also complete the job as fast as possible, like you did, we have been around cars wrenching and gaining experience. I just dont want anyone getting hurt. This video isn't about how to change your serpentine belt.

[@WilliamB-b9d]

Thanks .. Did this on my 69 Chevy.. Saved me a trip to the ER !! Good video ❤

[@rprzen2099]

Never had to do this. I just simply unloaded the spring by carefully lowering the lower control arm.

[@antoniotutt4894]

I've done them both ways.

[@RonEvers]

same here for trucks and non strutted vehicles.

[@mg43472]

Been there done that with so many springs.. My least favorite of all basic mechanic jobs.. Good tip.. will try this next time!

[@toomuchthinkin]

Good one!!!!! You my friend are a gentleman and a scholar for that!!!!!

[@benztech2262]

You’re a gentleman and a scholar… Just don’t ask to borrow a dollar!

[@timbrown5720]

35 years a tech and that's a great tip.

[@tjonesauto]

I remember when I was at Lincoln tech years ago, a big dude had those coil sticks. Car on lift the stick walked. Spring broke his jaw

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Used these tips thousnads of times as a mechanic Works Well for the most part or you can just Release the Pressure off the floor jack slowly and coil falls out

[@stevegomez4]

I never thought of using something other than a floor jack. I’ll keep that in mind.

[@williamalexander1743]

This is a great idea! Thank you, but keep in mind if you need to use the jack, chain the spring to the lower control arm!

[@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys]

Yes, the chain is a Must no matter what else is going on~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ScottWConvid19]

"May the odds ever be in your favor" 👍🏼👍🏼

[@keithhoflich523]

I usually put the floor jack under the lower control arm and let it down slowly. Has worked for me all my life

[@nickw8743]

Floor Jack and a hammer, literally have never used any of those “tools”

[@vh3531]

With you 100% Floor jack for the win.

[@Depth_of_Cut]

Yeah I'm confused if he just unhooks the shock and let's the jack down the pressure will come off.... it's not like the spring is 6 feet long? I've mostly messed with ford's never needed a compressor? unless I'm missing something on this vehicle?

[@OkcHoodlum]

See that's what I was thinking, why is he working so hard?

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Tip on using the outside compressors. I was having them slide on the spring and both compressors would end up on the same side leaving a lopsided spring! Take some emery cloth strips. Fold them in half length wise. Put the strips in between the compressor hook and the spring. Not once did it slide on me!

[@ScottWConvid19]

Service manuals have their place and everyone should read the manufacturer's steps. Only those that have a keen sensibility and a grasp on physics & mechanics and have an adventurous spirit should ever veer from the manufacturer's instructions.

[@ls_812]

😅

[@ScottWConvid19]

@@ls_812 Or others can end up with pronouns like "was/were"

[@AT-wl9yq]

Why would you be giving advice like that when you don't even work on cars.

[@ScottWConvid19]

@@AT-wl9yq You are proof that the internet is not lacking in the moronic populations. Just keep believing that whatever you think, must be true. You'll go places

[@dwilson2548]

I believe it says that option is in the instructions when you use the kit... It also makes it so much easier to put the lower control arm back up into place and secure the lower ball joint when that spring is compressed the way you did in the video. 😎

[@BenSmith-lx3do]

How did you get the shock out

[@jamesmcguinness1530]

1top nut and most likely 2or3bolts though a lower flange into the control arm. And it drops straight down.

[@fauxque5057]

Wish I had seen this back in 2018 when I rebuilt my front suspension. Normally I use a floor jack to release the tension and to reinstall the springs. But this truck I couldn't get the angles right because the spring was too long to fit in the pockets. So off I went to buy a compressor. The normal way of using both sets of fingers got the job done but there was some beating done to get the bottom into the bottom pocket because the compressor was lacking a bit of clearance. This method would have simplified the process. Now I have to remember it in the decades to come if I ever need to do it again.

[@Getlost6]

Man I used ratchet straps and prayed a lot 🤣🤣🤣

[@D95SI420]

I have always just used the jack up under the control arm method or external/internal compressor tools, if i need a little bit of extra compression to get spring in the control arm pocket I will just use the cheap external style to gain it and if u tighten one side more it will angle the bottom/top of spring a little to help it go in the pocket. When doing lifts with super heavy thick springs this idea would be handy if your not swapping the springs or need to remove them, there are many ways to get the job done and its not stupid if it works safely lol. Of course always treat a compressed spring like a bomb ready to go off at anytime and be safe about it (no zip ties), seen too many younger less experienced techs get badly hurt or worse from strut mounts flying off cause they just removed the nut without compressing or just did it wrong. A close friend of mine was very lucky not to have lost his face when he did just this sitting with the strut and him leaning over it while removing the nut, lost the tip of his nose and was just like 3mm but still scary. My worst spring scare was removing stock coil over style shocks off a 1991 DA Integra for my boss at NAPA, The top like coil and a half was separated by a small crack and rust that was almost all the way through the coil. I didn't see it cause it was in the back hidden and i was just removing the coil over from vehicle, I had removed the 2 14mm upper mount to body nuts and as i was leaning in the wheel well to remove the 17mm bolt on the bottom that holds shock fork to lower control arm i heard a loud spring noise followed by something whizzing right by my face at high speed. Scared the hell out of me and then i saw the top coil or so was gone off the coil over plus I heard it land in the parking lot across the street from NAPA, luckily only one part of it came off and the spring was able to decompress enough with that part gone so no more stuff went flying. walked over to find the flying piece and it was all jagged and pointy on the ends, got so lucky cause i didn't have safety glasses on or any PPE at all. Like many others before me in similar situation I wasn't expecting that to happen on a stock spring just taking it out of the vehicle, all mechanics have had a scare with a strut at some point in their career and the good ones learn a valuable lesson from it. Could not believe I was totally fine and yeah i try to use the proper tools when they are required so its safer but there are some things we cant see or plan for and a hidden rusty crack on coil almost took me out that day, I always check springs before touching them now and since moving down south out of the northern rust belt its been way better and a whole lot less rust/corrosion caused failures. Glad i grew up in the rust belt cause i would never want to willingly move there and deal with it all now.

[@NickMartinez-l9t]

That disclaimer tho

[@alecleon1752]

Finally, lol that why Im out n the comment section

[@BoopdaBeep]

Same here lol

[@josemarquez86]

There's another way you can do it use your jack compress it remove all the hardwares then slowly released a jack! It's the most dangerous way but if you don't have those tools that's how it works!

[@MrBrettrx7]

Just lower the a arm with a jack for cryin out loud.

[@rc1tc300]

dang. finally a very usefull tip. I spent hours in er putting my fingers back together from using both sides of the internal one. thank you

[@rogerramirezp.5885]

I fucking died the warning label

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

If you died ... how did you write the above comment?

[@b.s.adventures9421]

I did this with my Chevy express 3500. Worked well. Way less sketchy than using using both attachments.

[@calvinbradley9857]

We call them widow makers for a reason. Rather use a quick strut and call it a day.

[@TechnicianRed]

Yeah but this isn't a strut. The spring is just that- a spring. It has to be removed, installed, and purchased as one individual part. It doesn't come included with anything else.

[@calvinbradley9857]

@@TechnicianRed I understand that. I was mentioning the quick strut because the spring is attached to it. Should have been more clear.

[@jonboatmorava9115]

What does a strut have to do with this application? Not even in the same ballpark. 😅😅😅

[@calvinbradley9857]

@@jonboatmorava9115 actually they are. A strut has a spring as this application. The spring is called a widow maker for a reason. I have worked on these springs for decades and once you see one go thru a wall, you will understand the power behind them. Had a few workers nearly lose their lives changing these springs and the springs on a strut. That is why I love quick struts. No longer do you need to compress the spring. One bolt at the bottom and a handful at the top, usually 3. Saves lives for sure.

[@LukeEdward]

Just jack the corner up, crank on your spring compressor, and let the jack down. Compressed spring. Did that to install 10mm coil spacers.

[@herbsgotaZX]

Just zip tie them tighter and tighter😂

[@freeskier250]

Make sure you use the thinnest and flimsiest plastic ties also, very important to get the job done well 🤡

[@delmcclamma8359]

I get one of my Jack's and put plenty of pressure on the lower control arm and then I wrap chains on each side of the springs this happens after compress the spring as far as it goes. Bolt the chains and release Jack.

[@davidmunro2077]

The thing that absorbs the shocks is the spring the Damper (that you called the shock absorber) damps out the oscillations thereby stopping the car/truck from bouncing about

[@commonsenseisdeadin2024]

Shock absorber......... damper....... Same........ SAME! What good does it do getting the oscillations moist............ 😂

[@hipoman8087]

I use a 3’ industrial threaded rod through the frame shock hole , spring then down through lower arm shock hole. Have a thick steel plate that’s double nutted to hold in place. I use greased washers where it goes through frame and use a nut to compress spring. As a safety ting i run a chain around a coil and lock it to the frame to keep it from killing me. Works every time. Helped getting it and arm back up to. Got this off HORSEPOWER TV. My friends borrow it. They love it. 1 ton springs are no problem. Use grade 8 nuts !

[@guyblew1733]

I've seen the internal come loose when removing the compressed spring. Good tip.

[@arthurgay5746]

For the last 30 years, I've been using the outside compressors to squeeze it down and then I take a roll of mechanic's wire and tie it down with about 10 wraps on each side. The old spring can be pryed out with a pry bar once you undo the ball joint.

[@repeatagain1789]

Just use a floor jack lifting the a arm compress spring undue the spindle lower the arm auto decompress spring done

[@essequamvideri]

one time... emergency repair situation... jacked up under the ball joint to load the suspension and compress the spring, then wrapped a couple small ratchet straps thru the coils to hold it tight, then slowly lowered the control arm. worked. but wouldnt want to do it every day.

[@KG-yn9qi]

Well put a jack under lower a arm… compress (jack up on arm to just start to compress spring.) Remove shock… remove any mountings holding the upper and lower arms together…. Slowly let off jack .. spring will decompress and fall out? Note : you will need enough jack travel to allow full decompression of spring )

[@jordanhart9708]

I've been thinking about overhauling the suspension on my truck, and it's got this style of spring on it. Imma use your trick.

[@tedstriker754]

I've never done that with it still in the car. I just take the spring/shock out as one unit. Use the external type of compressors, and an impact wrench to pull them together going side to side. Done in a snap.

[@calepvanars2715]

Will my loose mouth friend how do you compress the spring back to put the shock in because you have to release the spring compressor in order to put the shock in then you're still going to have to use internal external compressor to put the shock in so why not use the external to begin with

[@twospeed99richards2]

I used both types, used the internal ones, then one external one to straighten the spring back up as it compresses with a curve.

[@greebuh]

Just put a jack under the lower control arm and compress the spring using the jack, take out the shock and put the internal compressor in there and tighten it up to keep the spring in the already compressed position. Then lower the jack the the spring compressor won't let it decompress and it safely falls out as you lower the jack and let the control arm swing down out of the way.

[@xcelerator911]

That finger action while the spring was compressed had my butt clenching 😅

[@Dave5843-d9m]

Put a jack and 6x6 timber block under that spring. (1) it contains the weak looking internal compressor (2) you can jack it down to remove the spring.

[@Jack-h7m6u]

Hmmm, hiw can u remove the shock with a puller bolt? Makes no sense, that shock absorber is in the way where the puller bolt would go😅😅

[@AndrewJones-e4n]

Great advice. It's a job I'll be up against 1 day.

[@koltonshampine5441]

If you look up the oe service tool for the rwd ram 1500 it does the same thing so you are actually doing the job correctly 👍

[@pt_ittythefirst4136]

I've used the hoist/lift or a trolley jack and raised the vehicle/lowered the bottom arm slowly... same results with less stuffing around

[@somanynamesilltrythis0180]

I think the only good thing about having a 2wd Silverado, is it has shock/strut packs on the front (2008 body style). Im able to change them without having to remove the tire, or the control arm bushings. It takes less than 30mins to replace both sides.

[@redrock1963]

I was at trade school eons ago doing a module on front suspension and using an internal spring compressor in a front end similar to this one (Australian Ford). I had the spring compressed enough to release the lower control arm when the threads on the compressor let go. I just remember a bang and a whooshing noise as the spring sailed by my head. A very close call. 😮😮

[@blackc1479]

Thats pretty nifty. Ive only had to to that twice iirc and it was a huge PITA both times.

[@YoungHeartedSoul]

I think its just to jack up the vehicle by its frame relatively as high as you can. Chain the spring tightly to the control arm for safety. Then place a jack under the control arm making sure you slightly jack the control arm, remove ball joint and slowly lower jack and the spring will come out once you remove chain. Ive never used a spring compressor for this type of suspension, struts are different. Those spring compressors are so sketchy, if you ever rent them make sure the threads are nice and sharp, i rented one last year for a strut replacement and the threads looked so worn out i told the parts guy to give me a different one. I didnt want my tomb reading “death by coil spring”

[@kevindenham5262]

you can save your money and relieve the pressure off the coil spring by slowly lowering the control arm down by using a floor jack.

[@WesMoran]

Bro, once had to do a lower ball joint in a gravel driveway after my grandmother came home saying the “wheel fell off.” Get to the scene, to find the castle nut had backed off because no carter pin had been installed. I basically just took a chance on compressing the whole thing with a Jack. Shock was still in place. Spring had deseated… So just figured screw it. Problem was, to get enough clearance under the control arm to compress the spring and install the knuckle, I had to Jack that corner of the truck up, as it was sitting on that lower arm. Kind hard to compress the spring when that corner is already sitting on another Jack. This would’ve been helpful had it been an option.

[@mmzwgr780]

Use a floor jack and a chain aurong the spring to keep it from flying out when you drop the lower control arm.

[@HapaHeritage]

This is a great method👍 The comments tho; never thought someone was crazy enough to use a floor jack but maybe 80s sedans have weak springs unlike a 16’ Ram 1500 at 6000lbs.

[@blaphtome9382]

LOL, drops the A-arm at the end like he could have done to remove the spring😅

[@shanemacleod4011]

Or just undo the top nut to the shocks then as you jack the car up the spring will decompress. Then do same thing backwards to do the bolt up for the new springs

[@Roller-01]

PSA.... The external spring compressor is for struts...The internal compressor are for older suspensions. Also if u cant get to the hex head on the tool from the top u definitely can get to it from the lower control arm....just invert/turn the tool upside down....even tho there isnt really a top or bottom....just depends on what vehicle u are working on....This has been a public service announcement, auto mechanic of 44 years...if u notice in the video there is a big hole in the middle of the control arm as to access the hex head on the tool

[@ryanfulton8199]

I got a tip for ya . . One external on the outside (tire side) the other on the opposite side were you see it has room and not try to put both on the tire side . . . .always works for me

[@jamesborek8125]

Well G-D... That's brilliant sir. Much appreciated!

[@WesleyMwelwa-n5k]

Thanks for the work you are educating us

[@richarde.plante3292]

Excellent! Good advice! 👍

[@williambozynski1176]

I'd make sure I had that spring tied off with a cable or small chain. Why risk eating it if the compressor slips or fails.

[@Birlius]

put a jack under the arm to compress the spring, take bolts out and release the jack slowly

[@nicholasperry2380]

This is a good tip, I assume the damper is unscrewed at the top compressed and deflected to allow the bolt through. My shop method is using a jack to compress the spring with the external clamps inserted then simply spinning the bolt to resistance, my quicker and easier than working with limited movement to swing a ratchet and you can let the jack down while safely protected by the car body JIC.

[@ThePortalNC]

Seems like a good tip ! Thank you for sharing !

[@Daringskippy1]

That's an interesting way to do it. They also make jaw compressors. Those are fun

[@-RyN-23]

Use a thick washer on the top if you do this. I have seen the bold pull through twice over about 10 times of my coworker doing this. Me I use a jack to raise un bolt the raise the lift or drop the jack but hey cal do that in all situations

[@PNW_R1DER]

I’ll definitely have to try this one! I get a lot of older trucks coming in with bad control arms. And using the external ones was always a hassle. This looks more efficient and safer.

[@codifrancisco4351]

For the exsternal compressor could use a chain and lock for more safety if compressor fails the chain will catch the spring

[@flamespirit1]

I use it without tools and never had a problem

[@maddpeanut6313]

Great idea. Don't forget to wrap a chain around the spring too.

[@mrhamburger6936]

Years ago with cars with the A-frame lower control arms if you have a rack lift the car up and you have a Milwaukee hydraulic post Jack we used to on do the bottom of the shock absorber and push it up inside the spring and we would place the jack under the control arm take some tension off and we would remove the two bolts that hold the control arm to frame then we would slowly lower the control arm down and remove the spring and install the new one Jack the controller back in place and put the two bolts in and reinstall shock absorber we used to do both front coil springs within about a half an hour

[@bitcoin....2411]

Jesus 🙏 last time I heard that phrase was in the 1970s ,,,, ( MAY THE ODDS BE IN YOUR FAVOR ) .....

[@samsessums2730]

I tried to remove a coil spring on a chevy with one of those internal type of compressors. Just when the spring got small enough to remove, the tool snapped and the spring went straight towards my face. The corner of the spring got caught in the lower control arm. It was one of the scariest moments of my adult life.

[@mikeberry304]

I just use a spring compression tool that has 2 cups that fit over 2 different coils , then compress it in situ , without even moving the arm , done plenty , springs are super dangerous on independent suspension legs when fitted to the shock absorber, check how many fingers , always strsp the spring to the tool so it can't fly off , I don't trust individual spring compression tools , they spin together when under tension 🙈👍

[@dcmorgan2004]

use a jack and the weight of the vehicle. once everything is disconnected, release tension on the spring, by lowering the jack until the car sits on a jack stand.

[@SMNR777]

good tip brother hate when I don't know the right method and make things all hard on myself

[@boredboiseboy]

Put a jack under the LCA, jack it up, remove bolts, slowly let jack down to decompress spring .

[@stevemiller8032]

Don't use the widow makers. A pribar and a floor Jack is all you need.

[@marym1lky]

My f150 you can just undo the shock absorber and drop the wheel until there's no more stored energy in the spring, since there's a retaining cup and a damn 1.125" nut holding it down

[@mydogpeaches1]

i have never been comfortable working on springs that thing can kill you so thanks for sharing some really good advice as i knowi seriously don’t want to be hurt or killed working on a car

[@hugosalazar7617]

I’ve never had to compress one. When it comes to strut assemblies I just buy the whole strut. If you put a jack under the control arm and let it down slowly it will fall out. Same thing more or less on install,