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[polilara]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Fine for the Omega springs, from experience

[polilara]

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

[polilara]

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]

Potayto, Potarto...

Thar do

[polilara]

Slang again, guess I can order this?

[Doctor Gollum]

Indeed you can

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

[polilara]

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

[polilara]

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]

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]

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

[Nick W]

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.