I have a Branick 7600....Love it.
That being said.....I worked at a shop that just had a piece of 5/8" Rebar bent into a half circle & welded to a Lift Arm, Simply lower the lift onto the strut mount. It worked!!
Looking to buy a spring compressor
- Thread starter 92saturnsl2
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I have a Branick 7600....Love it.
That being said.....I worked at a shop that just had a piece of 5/8" Rebar bent into a half circle & welded to a Lift Arm, Simply lower the lift onto the strut mount. It worked!!
There was also a Branick 7400 and going further back the MST-580A. Perhaps others, too. If they're complete I wouldn't be afraid of any of them. Getting missing hard parts for the older ones can be next to impossible but you can always source bearings based upon dimensions, so don't shy away if there's just a trashed bearing if the price is right.
I suppose $1700 is still cheaper than new front teeth
Here's the Schwaben kit I've used on Audi/VW for disassembly of front struts, and it has different cup sizes, too:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PEL013845SCH01A.htm?pn=PEL-013845SCH01A
Added bonus: 25% off tool promo until the end of the November.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PEL013845SCH01A.htm?pn=PEL-013845SCH01A
Added bonus: 25% off tool promo until the end of the November.
Interesting....25% off should put it around $160. Seems good assuming it's a higher quality than your basic Asian set
Also it doesn't appear the 25% could apply to AC Hydraulics jacks, but I didn't try very hard (don't feel like putting all my personal info into cart).
If it did....that would be pretty sweet. Pelican is one of only a handful of sources for arguably the best floor jacks on the planet.....
If it did....that would be pretty sweet. Pelican is one of only a handful of sources for arguably the best floor jacks on the planet.....
JHZR2
Staff member
I have two Klann compressors. One for normal springs, one for the longer MB springs that need to be done from the inside.
Those are the right stuff for those cars. A MB W123 is the only spring I ever ran into that actually blew a compressor apart and darn near caused me and my wife who was standing behind me serious injury, parts flew right near her head. The compressor was not a Klann but a decent one and not a dime store chicom job.
The Eastwood compressor style is the one I ended up buying. I spent way too many hours reading reviews and this seems to be the best bang for the buck. I spotted a few reviews that said they used that compressor successfully on a GMT900/K2 platform, but some suggested using a secondary dogbone style compressor on the other side as a helper.
If I did more than one or two struts a year, a GOOD $800+ tool might be in the cards. But presently the GMC 1/2 ton truck I'm doing is a one time thing. If it looks unsafe with the Eastwood compressor, I'll take the strut to a shop and have them swap it out. Other than that is should be appropriate and plenty safe for the vehicles I own and work on.
Many thanks to all you guys for the valuable info.
Had no real issues compressing the spring on the '14 GMC Sierra, but you can tell there's a lot of force there.
I ended up using an Autozone rental, dogbone (widow-maker?) style compressor to help on the opposite side, and between the two compressors, they still don't like it. I didn't feel unsafe but kept that thing pointed in a safe direction.
The dogbone compressor had a noticeable bend to it, but I've seen worse compressing small FWD car springs with those things.
Incorrect front struts stopped us dead in our tracks though. Ordered Gabriel Ultra G58170 which according to Rockauto, fits a '14 Sierra 1500 2wd... The shaft was 11/16" diameter, while the OEM part was 9/16". Too large to fit in the top cup and the mount. Returned to Amazon and bought a set of Bilsteins instead. So this project will have to wait until replacement struts arrive, but should be smooth sailing from there now that we have everything disassembled and figured out.
Old strut:
New (incorrect) strut:
I ended up using an Autozone rental, dogbone (widow-maker?) style compressor to help on the opposite side, and between the two compressors, they still don't like it. I didn't feel unsafe but kept that thing pointed in a safe direction.
The dogbone compressor had a noticeable bend to it, but I've seen worse compressing small FWD car springs with those things.
Incorrect front struts stopped us dead in our tracks though. Ordered Gabriel Ultra G58170 which according to Rockauto, fits a '14 Sierra 1500 2wd... The shaft was 11/16" diameter, while the OEM part was 9/16". Too large to fit in the top cup and the mount. Returned to Amazon and bought a set of Bilsteins instead. So this project will have to wait until replacement struts arrive, but should be smooth sailing from there now that we have everything disassembled and figured out.
Old strut:
New (incorrect) strut:
What about something like this from Home Depot? https://www.homedepot.com/p/VEVOR-3...-Hydraulic-Tool-3TTHCZQ0000000001V0/323124838
92saturnsl2
, what unit did you use for the eastwood style?
I ended up buying this one:
I'm not convinced the Eastwood branded model for more money isn't made at the same factory in China, there are too many similarities, so I went with the cheaper one.
That Vevor unit you linked to seems like it'd be good for infrequent use (I suspect it's the same Chinesium stuff the Eastwood is), I would have considered it.
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This is by far what you want.
External Coil Spring Compressor
Works where an internal-type compressor won't; with 3 safety hooks
www.eastwood.com
Just remember: Hand tools only for spring compressors! I have used this set multiple times on my 2013 Silverado. I never used the safety attachments. I would never use a less heavy duty set. I just out two turns on at a time working around all three. Bolt end gets held by wrench, nut gets turned. I put a couple drops of oil on the threads as I was doing it. Literally drops. These are nice and heavy duty for 1/2 ton trucks.
Nevermind, I see you already got one!This is by far what you want.
External Coil Spring Compressor
Works where an internal-type compressor won't; with 3 safety hooks
Just remember: Hand tools only for spring compressors! I have used this set multiple times on my 2013 Silverado. I never used the safety attachments. I would never use a less heavy duty set. I just out two turns on at a time working around all three. Bolt end gets held by wrench, nut gets turned. I put a couple drops of oil on the threads as I was doing it. Literally drops. These are nice and heavy duty for 1/2 ton trucks.
I like these for driveway work. Lisle compressor actually clamps the spring, slipping out isnt possible. They are a little harder to use but not much.
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