Topic: Spring Compression (Front) Force and Recommended type of Compressor (Read 3887 times)

polilara · « **on:** 27 October 2018, 15:56:01 »

I am still working with my (front) struts. My spring compressors were too weak to work safely. They were OK for Opel Kadett (1986) but not for V6 Omega front springs. What is the force required. Have seen various models from 8kN to 20kN. Can anyone recommend e.g. from ebay a suitable and safe equipment for me. The strings seems to me really "Heavy Duty".

Nick W · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 October 2018, 16:03:06 »

You're right, weak spring compressors(THIS sort) are not fun to use on these springs.

If you have the money, then THESE are a very good buy: strong, safe, quick and easy to use. If you have an impact wrench then you'll change a spring in a couple of minutes.

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 October 2018, 16:07:03 »

Seconded

Bought a set of them after seeing how much easier yours made swapping the rear springs on the Focus. Rebuilding two front struts now takes less time than trying to get the top mount off one without those

polilara · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 October 2018, 16:14:16 »

Thanks for tips and comments, yes my Omega is worth this 69.90. Only thinking about this max clamping force 1000kg, is it really enough? Diameter is something close to 170 so these set is big enough...

Including:
1 1xBase unit : the work area is 300mm
2x Spring Holder : 65-125 mm
- 2x Spring Holder: 88-160 mmm
- 2x 125-215mm Spring

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 October 2018, 16:15:53 »

Fine for the Omega springs, from experience

polilara · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 October 2018, 16:21:47 »

OK, thanks, heard many stories about lost fingers or teeth I just want to be in safe.

polilara · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 October 2018, 16:52:30 »

Strange, item in Nick W link not delivered to Finland, tried to buy it but failed. Is this the same set? This I can buy.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fork-Strut-Coil-Clamp-Spring-Compressor-Macpherson-Tool-Set-Kit-Auto-Garage/263124656795?_trkparms=aid%3D333200%26algo%3DCOMP.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180409081753%26meid%3Dccc594d1542a4a5babcb7906b5bc3888%26pid%3D100008%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D152631073145%26itm%3D263124656795&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 October 2018, 16:58:07 »

Potayto, Potarto...

Thar do

polilara · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 October 2018, 17:01:03 »

Slang again, guess I can order this?

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 October 2018, 21:26:05 »

Indeed you can

I was emphasising two ways to say Potato... Doesn't matter which as they are the same

polilara · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 October 2018, 07:19:16 »

Sure, already ordered them, thanks. Interesting idiom or phrase, I did not know it earlier.

polilara · « **Reply #11 on:** 06 November 2018, 18:48:56 »

Quote from: Nick W on 27 October 2018, 16:03:06

You're right, weak spring compressors(THIS sort) are not fun to use on these springs.

If you have the money, then THESE are a very good buy: strong, safe, quick and easy to use. If you have an impact wrench then you'll change a spring in a couple of minutes.

So, bought this set and tried to compress left side strut... I was too afraid to compress it enough like in the pic here. It was quite tight to turn the screw and I loosened it again. I could take three rounds of the spring between the jaws. I believe that is the case also in this pic. The set is up to 1000 kg so it should be OK. Is it normal that it is tight to turn. Perhaps tomorrow a new try.

Enceladus · « **Reply #12 on:** 06 November 2018, 19:48:31 »

I imagine you want as many complete coils as possible within the jaw openings. So open the jaws to maximum and fit the lower jaw as low as you can on the spring, such that it sits on a complete turn.

You could also tighten the jaws to the limit with no spring just to make sure the tightening thread is not jamming due to a burr.

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #13 on:** 06 November 2018, 20:14:34 »

Picture shows typical compression requirement. Can be done by hand and a ratchet

Nick W · « **Reply #14 on:** 06 November 2018, 22:08:40 »

Quote from: Doctor Gollum on 06 November 2018, 20:14:34

Picture shows typical compression requirement. Can be done by hand and a ratchet

I prefer as many coils as possible within the compressor. My pic shows what is required to do this on the beehive shaped Omega spring. The compressor easily does this with a normal sized 1/2" drive ratchet, but I used an impact wrench because I'm lazy. Once again, somebody is overthinking a simple job.

aaronjb · « **Reply #15 on:** 07 November 2018, 08:18:49 »

I have absolutely no need for a better set of spring compressors .. but might just buy a set anyway because they look so much better than mine (and better than using two ratchet straps as I did on the Gaz shocks for the Cobra!

)

polilara · « **Reply #16 on:** 07 November 2018, 16:23:44 »

Quote from: Nick W on 06 November 2018, 22:08:40

Quote from: Doctor Gollum on 06 November 2018, 20:14:34
Picture shows typical compression requirement. Can be done by hand and a ratchet

I prefer as many coils as possible within the compressor. My pic shows what is required to do this on the beehive shaped Omega spring. The compressor easily does this with a normal sized 1/2" drive ratchet, but I used an impact wrench because I'm lazy. Once again, somebody is overthinking a simple job.

Thanks for comments, left side spring is now off. Got some help from a friend of mine, right side will be a simple job for me, too. Very good compressor, just a bit more force needed with ratchet than I thought. Top pressure plate seems to be quite corroded. I would like to chagne that, too. Anyone have a part number or good link where to buy.

Enceladus · « **Reply #17 on:** 07 November 2018, 20:38:33 »

If you mean the front spring upper seat then it's GM 90223655. Hopefully the corrosion is just surface rust so clean it off and paint with good primer maybe? You might find it hard to get new seats so some folks get the old ones bead blasted and powder coated.

polilara · « **Reply #18 on:** 08 November 2018, 05:12:43 »

OK, thanks for number, seems to be same part in right and left side??

Enceladus · « **Reply #19 on:** 08 November 2018, 05:55:43 »

Yes, both sides are the same.

polilara · « **Reply #20 on:** 09 November 2018, 11:19:50 »

OK, clear. Can someone give me GM number for upper and lower rubber pieces of spring. At least lower is worn.

Enceladus · « **Reply #21 on:** 09 November 2018, 16:32:54 »

https://opel.7zap.com/en/car/v94/k/0/5-24/

polilara · « **Reply #22 on:** 10 November 2018, 08:12:04 »

Thanks a lot, where do you find these numbers?

It could be useful to have a list of all Omega parts here in OOF or is it illegal? (This question is more to the administrator)

polilara · « **Reply #23 on:** 20 November 2018, 17:40:58 »

Quote from: Enceladus on 07 November 2018, 20:38:33

If you mean the front spring upper seat then it's GM 90223655. Hopefully the corrosion is just surface rust so clean it off and paint with good primer maybe? You might find it hard to get new seats so some folks get the old ones bead blasted and powder coated.

Succeeded to buy two of them, just for your info...

https://www.ersatzteile-original.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=90223655

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Author Topic: Spring Compression (Front) Force and Recommended type of Compressor (Read 3887 times)

aaronjb