how the hell do you get spring compressor inside spring?

[bigbrad]

read the title. Thanks!

[PineBarrensJeepster]

It goes on the outside.

------------------
Ryan
Submarine ZJ Club "We can Swim"
1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.6
5" lift Skyjacker 3" + 2" BB.
4 KC 165w Daylighters,
RS 9000's, 32" BFG AT's.


AOL SN: Yahoey
AIM: MuddyJeepZJ
JeepZJ

[Mike...98Formula]

You don't. You need an outside "strut type" compressor.

[Pufferman]

Doesn't sound like you need to be operating one.

[bigbrad]

well the guy at kragen told me i needed a spring compressor, so am i just screwed?

[PineBarrensJeepster]

Aren't they the same thing? About a 1' to 1.5' in length with metal hooks on the ends to hold onto the coils? Two compressors one for each side. Tighten evenly with an impact gun and you should be good to go.

------------------
Ryan
Submarine ZJ Club "We can Swim"
1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.6
5" lift Skyjacker 3" + 2" BB.
4 KC 165w Daylighters,
RS 9000's, 32" BFG AT's.


AOL SN: Yahoey
AIM: MuddyJeepZJ
JeepZJ

[spanky75]

please don t accidentally kill your self.

[Pufferman]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by bigbrad:
well the guy at kragen told me i needed a spring compressor, so am i just screwed?</font>

The "Strut" type compressor works better.

Are you installing lift springs? Normaly you do not need the compressors if staying under a 4" lift.

[This message has been edited by Pufferman (edited 12-15-2001).]

[bigbrad]

im just installing a bb, and i cant get the spring out, and i got one compressor, so i cant put one on each side. is there any other way to do it?

[bigbrad]

pufferman- why do you say that? the thing is, i have looked at two different bb install guides, and they both say "spring compressor" so thats what i asked for. The guy at kragen asked if i had coils or macpherson struts, and i said coils. he said i needed a spring compressor, so thats what i got.

[Trango]

Mmmmkay you might not have caught this. You need to put them on the OUTSIDE, and you need two. You now need to take the spring off and put one on EACH SIDE of the spring to compress it.

I'm not 100%, but I'm reasonably sure you can install a BB without using compressors.*Disconnect your brakes and shocks and let the axle droop FAR. This should be enough room to work with. Wait - when I say disco your brakes, I mean take off the calipers, not disco the brake line.

Good luck. I mean it. PS Stay away from power tools.

Bob

[Pufferman]

You don't need a spring compressor. Jack up the Jeep and support it by the unibody. For the rear all you do is undo the shock and sway bar. The axle should droop low enough to pop out the spring. If not just step on the axle and it'll droop down even more. Same thing goes for the front. Remember to remove the rubber bumpstop and the bump stop holder.

[Pufferman]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Trango:
Mmmmkay you might not have caught this. You need to put them on the OUTSIDE, and you need two. You now need to take the spring off and put one on EACH SIDE of the spring to compress it.

I'm not 100%, but I'm reasonably sure you can install a BB without using compressors.*Disconnect your brakes and shocks and let the axle droop FAR. This should be enough room to work with. Wait - when I say disco your brakes, I mean take off the calipers, not disco the brake line.

Good luck. I mean it. PS Stay away from power tools.

Bob</font>

I don't think one would need to take off the caliper when installing BB's...at least I didn't.

[bitman]

Yo Brad,

You need two spring compressors, or a strut compressor. One WILL NOT WORK. You'll tighten down one side of the spring and not the other. Your spring will have the shape of a Pringle potato chip, and it will not come out.

I have had NO success at removing springs without the compressors ... the only way to do it without these tools is to disconnect your control arms and drop your axles down. The front springs are far worse than your rear.

Seriously ... be very careful. It'll "put your eye" out (for real) ... springs under compression do wierd things when the compressors slip == I know, I narrowly escaped injury first time I used them.

You need TWO spring compressors, one on each side of the spring, directly across from each other. Tighten them equally, a little bit at a time. Use an impact wrench, unless you have arms like Arnold and want a great workout.

Dave

[Mike...98Formula]

Rear springs will practically fall out themseles once you disco the swaybar and the shocks. The fronts are a pain, you'll need the compressors unless you want to disconnect your lower control arms at the frame mount. Once you do that though, you may need a come-a-long to get them back in. The bolts never seem to want to go back into place once you remove them.

If you do use a compressor, be carefull!!!

Mine slipped a few times when I used it to do my Rusty's, scared the hell outa me. I ended up holding a metal garbage can lid like a shield while using them.

[InfernoWJ]

He's talking about a center spring compressor. It has two "scissor" legs on each end with a bolt through the center. It has to be placed INSIDE the spring. Not sure if it will work or not. There is probably not enough room to insert the compressor into the spring.

You may want to try the two piece external spring compressors. They have a bolt each with a little leg that attaches to the spring. You place one on each side and tighten the bolts evenly to compress the spring.

However, if you have your body in the air supported on jack stands and the axle supported by a jack, you can 1) drop the jack and see if it gives you clearance to remove the coil or 2) jack up the opposite side of the axle causing the side you are working on to droop so you can remove the coil without compressing.

[bigbrad]

yeah lowering the axle doesnt give enough droop, so i just put the tires back on and lowered it down. tomorrow ill go back to kragen, get the RIGHT "spring compressor", and finish the job. thanks for all the replies though

[JLS1983]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by bigbrad:
yeah lowering the axle doesnt give enough droop, so i just put the tires back on and lowered it down. tomorrow ill go back to kragen, get the RIGHT "spring compressor", and finish the job. thanks for all the replies though</font>

yeah lowering the axle doesnt give enough droop, so i just put the tires back on and lowered it down. tomorrow ill go back to kragen, get the RIGHT "strut compressor", and finish the job. thanks for all the replies though.

Just making sure

John

[InfernoWJ]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">"strut compressor", </font>

Are you sure about this John? Most of the MacP strut compressors I've seen I wouldn't think would work either (triple scissor design?). He just needs the exterior two piece coil spring compressors.

Chuck

[Alaska ZJ]

I knocked myself out with one of those things! Putting in my RE springs. POW and I was seeing stars. Hit me right above the left eye, lucky it did not take an eye out.

Just for that I went out and ripped the exhaust on a bigg hil climb. That'll teach those springs.............wheres my medicine