I am going to buy a spring compressor. Does anyone have a particular brand or set that you have used and seem to work well? I see many options when I search online.
Spring compressor recommendations
- Thread starter 04-Patriot Blue Pearl TJ
- Start date
Personally I would recommend against any of them. Spring compressors are terrible, often dangerous, and completely unnecessary as far as TJs go. It's much easier to get the springs out by undoing everything and letting the axles fully droop.
This is the preferred method for lift / spring installs.
This is the preferred method for lift / spring installs.
X2, I would not ever use another spring compressor, at least not for springs like a Wrangler uses. I would for McPherson struts but that's it.
Reason #1 is they are dangerous, they always scare me. #2 is they are not needed. I have installed up to 5.5" springs without a spring compressor. Unbolt the track bar and antiswaybar links (sometimes one end of a couple control arms depending on what you have) and the axle can be drooped enough to easily insert taller springs.
Reason #1 is they are dangerous, they always scare me. #2 is they are not needed. I have installed up to 5.5" springs without a spring compressor. Unbolt the track bar and antiswaybar links (sometimes one end of a couple control arms depending on what you have) and the axle can be drooped enough to easily insert taller springs.
OEMTOOLS 25553 has them, the have locks and work great. People that work on vehicles with struts have no option and most parts stores rent this style. They are safe like any tool if you use them correctly. Some people are scared of them and go to great lengths not to use them often doing much more dangerous things in the process like jumping up and down on the axle. Don't be that guy. I find them extremely helpful and a big time saver but do what you feel comfortable with.
What do you believe takes more time, removing a couple extra bolts or using a spring compressor on four springs?
Ive had some expensive ones and current have the Harbor Freight ones...they work just fine.
Don't aim them at you or anyone else. Use your brain.
And yes...drop the axle if you can.
-Mac
Don't aim them at you or anyone else. Use your brain.
And yes...drop the axle if you can.
-Mac
FYI most chain auto parts stores will have them to rent. I personally have rented AutoZones a few times and every time have done the job.
Recently was in Oriellys and I had a coupon so I bought the following:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/.../evertough-strut-spring-compressor/ert0/65550
I have already used them twice as worked just fine. But as others have stayed don't be stupid when using them.
Recently was in Oriellys and I had a coupon so I bought the following:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/.../evertough-strut-spring-compressor/ert0/65550
I have already used them twice as worked just fine. But as others have stayed don't be stupid when using them.
I wouldn't buy one, I would just rent/borrow from the parts store. But having said that, I'll echo others who have said to avoid using them if possible. For one, I have an (ir)rational fear of them. That's a ton of energy stored up... Anyway, they also take a long time and it seems like the ratchet gets bound up half of the time.
We've had better & less frustrating results by just getting the jeep up high enough to droop the axle far enough to slip the springs in/out. You have to unbolt a few things, but we always joke about how old do we need to be before we realize that just unbolting "one more thing" is much easier than fighting with it for 45 minutes?
We've had better & less frustrating results by just getting the jeep up high enough to droop the axle far enough to slip the springs in/out. You have to unbolt a few things, but we always joke about how old do we need to be before we realize that just unbolting "one more thing" is much easier than fighting with it for 45 minutes?
I have one of these in my tool box ... and that's where it's staying. Gives me the creeps every time I open that drawer.
I got one from HF. They work. It's a pretty hard tool to mess up, I think.
As many people as there are saying they don't need them, that just hasn't been my experience. I have Rockjock 4" springs and even with the shocks, sway bar, and track bar disconnected, my axle won't droop far enough for them to come out. I have a HP 30 out of a late 80's XJ, so maybe the lower shock mounts are a little different, but my lower control arms hit the back end of the lower shock mount. I've already trimmed a bunch out of them just to get them to clear far enough for my shocks to fully droop. I can compress the driver spring enough with a pry bar to pop it out, but I can't get it back in, and the passenger side won't come out regardless because the steering stabilizer blocks the easiest way out (can't go backward because the spring doesn't want to bend that way).
So I unbolt the shocks and the sway bar, leave the track bar connected, and compress the springs less than 2". It's way less compression, and way less energy, than a typical strut spring job so it's not nearly as scary to me as doing those, and it's way less time than disconnecting and reconnecting the track bar AND the LCA's.
As many people as there are saying they don't need them, that just hasn't been my experience. I have Rockjock 4" springs and even with the shocks, sway bar, and track bar disconnected, my axle won't droop far enough for them to come out. I have a HP 30 out of a late 80's XJ, so maybe the lower shock mounts are a little different, but my lower control arms hit the back end of the lower shock mount. I've already trimmed a bunch out of them just to get them to clear far enough for my shocks to fully droop. I can compress the driver spring enough with a pry bar to pop it out, but I can't get it back in, and the passenger side won't come out regardless because the steering stabilizer blocks the easiest way out (can't go backward because the spring doesn't want to bend that way).
So I unbolt the shocks and the sway bar, leave the track bar connected, and compress the springs less than 2". It's way less compression, and way less energy, than a typical strut spring job so it's not nearly as scary to me as doing those, and it's way less time than disconnecting and reconnecting the track bar AND the LCA's.
Ive never used them on a TJ, but I did use a set last year for my sisters Ford Edge. I needed to compress the spring in order to get the strut mount off. I wasnt thinking beforehand and simply zipped the first one off with my impact and the spring tension shot the strut mount up and right into the ceiling! Thankfully it missed my face. I certainly should have known better.
I have to agree with most of the previous posts on unbolting vs compressing the spring it is much safer. I personally have about every type of coil spring compressor I have seen. I will use a clam shell compressor just to compress my spring a couple inches though. Stay away from the two threaded rods with hooks if you plan to purchase one. Those type will spin around the spring to where they are both on one side and your lucky if the spring does not go flying. If you try to use a compressor just remember your body is blocking the exit path for the spring. I have done hundreds of springs and only one close call my tool failed and the spring was compressed in it and I could not release the pressure it was scary getting it undone. Here is what I use but notice this one the arms are bent and the center post is bent from over compressing. This tool is junk and should be thrown away. With any of these tools also lube the threads before every use and don’t over heat screw with an impact. Best bet is drop track bar and maybe a control arm.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2652626873...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2652626873...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
I have 2 different styles of compressors, but they’re totally unnecessary on a TJ.
Save your money for more Jeep parts and accessories!
Save your money for more Jeep parts and accessories!
Agreed.
I did everything I could short of disconnecting the control arms and there was no way those springs would come out.
Forget the single piece units, they are a pain and flat out won't work on many setups.
The two piece style like in post #11 are the way to go. Position them on opposite sides, tighten slowly with equal turns on each side. Under no circumstances should you use an impact to make it go faster.
I've used them dozens of times never had an issue.
I've replaced TJ springs multiple times without having used a spring compressor. Never needed to unbolt the control arms. I would have done that before renting/buying a spring compressor though.
If the op is swapping stock springs or anything under 4 inches I have never needed a compressor. I can't speak for longer springs.
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