Any suggestions on which strut compression tool should I use to change out the struts when do a lift. Clam-shell style or the bolt with hook style.
strut compression tool
- Thread starter deonlj2
- Start date
Clam shell ones are meant for Honda Civic springs. It's a toy concept. For an experiment, I got a Harbor Freight one and bent it. They refunded me. The stress on the single bolt is HIGHER than the spring force because of the bolt's location. Insane.deonlj2 said:
Get the two bolt versions with hooks AND safety feature (pins or more hooks). Get the best they offer for rental or purchase. Mine were $70-80 and I would NEVER trust my life to the cheapies. If I had known HOW MANY struts I would compress over the last six years I should have gotten a wall-mount one.
Air tools will also save your wrenching time to tighten it down.
jbones
Member
- Dec 5, 2011
- 658
Some more talk here on spring compressors here;
http://gmtnation.com/f77/spring-strut-compressor-question-523/
Wonder if these are any good, also sold at Harbor Freight
View attachment 18331
http://gmtnation.com/f77/spring-strut-compressor-question-523/
Wonder if these are any good, also sold at Harbor Freight
View attachment 18331
Attachments
gmcman
Member
- Dec 12, 2011
- 4,672
Been poking around myself since I need to replace mine, and have come across a few conversations dealing with these struts. These aren't your Gimble Bros pogo-stick springs....they are basically coil-over shocks and have tremendous potiential energy when compressed.
I found a shop to switch them out for $25 a side, providing I bring the loose struts in which is fine. I trust myself in being able to compress a spring, I don't trust the press unless it's a pimp floor press or similiar.
From what I have gathered.....GM needed to replace their existing presses to accomodate these when the 02 TB & voy were introduced.
Here's an interesting bulletin:
GM Special Service Tools
I found a shop to switch them out for $25 a side, providing I bring the loose struts in which is fine. I trust myself in being able to compress a spring, I don't trust the press unless it's a pimp floor press or similiar.
From what I have gathered.....GM needed to replace their existing presses to accomodate these when the 02 TB & voy were introduced.
Here's an interesting bulletin:
GM Special Service Tools
Regulator
Member
- Nov 20, 2011
- 2,496
gmcman said:
I also found a shop that would take my strut assembly and do whatever I needed done. Midas charged me $10 per strut, and I used them a few times. Unfortunately, they have closed down now.
I have seen a cheap spring compressor come apart and the bolt go through a hard plastic waste management trash can! Be very careful, and spend the money to do it the with safe parts. I have had good experience with the set from Advance Auto.
mika
Member
- Dec 6, 2011
- 82
the roadie said:Clam shell ones are meant for Honda Civic springs. It's a toy concept. For an experiment, I got a Harbor Freight one and bent it. They refunded me. The stress on the single bolt is HIGHER than the spring force because of the bolt's location. Insane.
Get the two bolt versions with hooks AND safety feature (pins or more hooks). Get the best they offer for rental or purchase. Mine were $70-80 and I would NEVER trust my life to the cheapies. If I had known HOW MANY struts I would compress over the last six years I should have gotten a wall-mount one.
Air tools will also save your wrenching time to tighten it down.
I agree with Roadie, a friend lent me a set that bent even more than what you see in this picture. WE can rent tools here at our Canadian Tire store, you rent at full puchace price and when you return them you are refunded the full price, so it will cost you a big $0.00 for the tools, only travel time and gas.
