Spring Compressors - Suitable for front suspension
- Thread starter BBLongman
- Start date
Best refer to the official manual BUT I would strongly suggest that you buy or hire a good set of coil spring compressors that securely grip the spring. DONT use the special Rover Tool which comprises 3 rods that locate in the spring carrier. If the slots are corroded, and they will be, then the whole lot will explode ! Those springs pack a lethal punch once compressed.
Just to huff some life into this ol’ thread…
I’m in the process of, amongst other things, fitting new rear springs. I also took a quick look at the front but decided they didn’t need messing with. I was, however, curious to see how the front springs would come off. I’ve got an old pair of compressors but I can’t see a way of getting two onto the spring. Is a single compressor ok or would I be asking for trouble only using one?
I’m in the process of, amongst other things, fitting new rear springs. I also took a quick look at the front but decided they didn’t need messing with. I was, however, curious to see how the front springs would come off. I’ve got an old pair of compressors but I can’t see a way of getting two onto the spring. Is a single compressor ok or would I be asking for trouble only using one?
You cant use just one, the spring just stays long on the unclamped side and bends.
You can use "Keeps" (clips like compressors without the adjustment) Get 3 or 4 nice fat mates to bring their considerable weight to bear on the inner wing to compress the spring, then fit the keeps. With luck they will be porky enough to compress the spring enough to get it out. Taking the wing off would help with access and isn't too difficult.
You can use "Keeps" (clips like compressors without the adjustment) Get 3 or 4 nice fat mates to bring their considerable weight to bear on the inner wing to compress the spring, then fit the keeps. With luck they will be porky enough to compress the spring enough to get it out. Taking the wing off would help with access and isn't too difficult.
Guy Engelsman
New Member
Thought that I would fire this one back to life.
I have just spent FOUR hours replacing one spring on the drivers side of my new Blue Car, (the other side will be done once the pain subsides ) ??? I have had to use the standard style of spring compressor, and it was a sod of a job. In the past we have used a 30 ton press and heavy fencing wire to hold the springs compressed while fitting, but like an idiot I had NEW springs made. The new springs are progressive rate and go from standard to 150% of standard at full compression. This makes the rotten things so stiff that my usual methods dont work, and yes a spring stores a HUGE amount of energy when it punches out the garage door!
Fortunatly my head was not in the way.
The normal external spring compressor will work but you have to really think about where they will be in relation to everything else once in. The screw thread can also foul the bulkhead, and you may not be able to get at the end to unscrew them (guess how I found that one out)
:: ::
I have previously posted about airbag suspension on the P6, put aside for the moment pending the purchase of new houses, but I am seriously thinking of revisiting that plan if it is going to take me another night of pain and cursing (softly under my breath, there are kids about!). I may need to make a withdrawal from the blood bank I have shed so much, my knuckles look like I enjoy fighting, and I have a bruise the size of a grapefruit on my shin having kicked the trolly jack.
God I love old cars!
Cheers
GUY
I have just spent FOUR hours replacing one spring on the drivers side of my new Blue Car, (the other side will be done once the pain subsides ) ??? I have had to use the standard style of spring compressor, and it was a sod of a job. In the past we have used a 30 ton press and heavy fencing wire to hold the springs compressed while fitting, but like an idiot I had NEW springs made. The new springs are progressive rate and go from standard to 150% of standard at full compression. This makes the rotten things so stiff that my usual methods dont work, and yes a spring stores a HUGE amount of energy when it punches out the garage door!
Fortunatly my head was not in the way.The normal external spring compressor will work but you have to really think about where they will be in relation to everything else once in. The screw thread can also foul the bulkhead, and you may not be able to get at the end to unscrew them (guess how I found that one out)
:
: :: I have previously posted about airbag suspension on the P6, put aside for the moment pending the purchase of new houses, but I am seriously thinking of revisiting that plan if it is going to take me another night of pain and cursing (softly under my breath, there are kids about!). I may need to make a withdrawal from the blood bank I have shed so much, my knuckles look like I enjoy fighting, and I have a bruise the size of a grapefruit on my shin having kicked the trolly jack.
God I love old cars!
Cheers
GUY
Guy Engelsman
New Member
Pain yet to subside, turns out I have fractured my little finger on my right hand, probably when the spring exploded out of my hands. I was just too mad and pumped on adrenaline to really notice at the time!
I will be doing the left side soon. just need some hefty helpers to compress the front as there is no engine in the car and I have run out of sandbags.
I have looked at getting a local engineering firm to forge and machine a new set of locking pins for me and I will report back when we have had a go at making some. No doubt they will make life a lot easier!
Cheers
GUY
I will be doing the left side soon. just need some hefty helpers to compress the front as there is no engine in the car and I have run out of sandbags.
I have looked at getting a local engineering firm to forge and machine a new set of locking pins for me and I will report back when we have had a go at making some. No doubt they will make life a lot easier!
Cheers
GUY
mrtask
Well-Known Member
Hello Guy. I know what you mean about spring compressors being awkward up inside the front inner arches! I was terrified they were going to slip and that the spring would shoot out and take my head off when I dismantled the front suspension.
If you can get a set of proper locking pins made for a reasonable price I would like a set too. Or perhaps once you have fitted your own uprated front springs you might like to recoup your investment by then selling your locking pins to me. I've also ordered a set of 150% uprated springs and gas shocks (although I haven't actually received them yet, but thats another story). I've still to fit my front chassis stiffening plates, but I'm hopeful that I'll get as far as re-assembling the suspension some time during August or September.
Hope your broken finger heals well.
If you can get a set of proper locking pins made for a reasonable price I would like a set too. Or perhaps once you have fitted your own uprated front springs you might like to recoup your investment by then selling your locking pins to me. I've also ordered a set of 150% uprated springs and gas shocks (although I haven't actually received them yet, but thats another story). I've still to fit my front chassis stiffening plates, but I'm hopeful that I'll get as far as re-assembling the suspension some time during August or September.
Hope your broken finger heals well.
Guy Engelsman
New Member
Passenger side is in. Would you believe that it took 15 min! Rotten thing. I had the neighbour help ( 6 foot tall and as wide as he is tall), amazing how the extra weight helps squash things into place.
I have made up a new set of compressors. They are the normal sort of external compressors, but I have cut the screw thread down so that it does not hit the bulkhead. This means that the springs need to be compressed by a press or similar before the retainers are fitted. This seemed to work well.
Still looking at making new locks as per Rover original, but moving house so it may have to wait until Christmas.
My better half/ she who must be obeyed, has informed me that I will be building her a (shock horror) Triumph 2500 next. ??? This means that my 2000 racer is delayed yet again , but I have a new type to get my hands on.
Finger hurts like a very painful thing, but is healing and the straps are off it, (can't hold onto a spanner)
Cheers
GUY
I have made up a new set of compressors. They are the normal sort of external compressors, but I have cut the screw thread down so that it does not hit the bulkhead. This means that the springs need to be compressed by a press or similar before the retainers are fitted. This seemed to work well.
Still looking at making new locks as per Rover original, but moving house so it may have to wait until Christmas.
My better half/ she who must be obeyed, has informed me that I will be building her a (shock horror) Triumph 2500 next. ??? This means that my 2000 racer is delayed yet again
, but I have a new type to get my hands on.Finger hurts like a very painful thing, but is healing and the straps are off it, (can't hold onto a spanner)
Cheers
GUY
Hi i have had my front springs off a number of times & have used a Klamm spring compressor, it is German made there are some others of similar design, these are purchased from Snapon tools (I am in the motor trade) some years ago and are mainly used for taking springs off struts on modern cars. The best way I can explain how it operates is if you imagine 2 horse shoes with recesses in them, which the spring sits inside top and bottom there is also a stop in the receses of the horse shoes this stops them from turning. They are pretty well 100% safe and will not come out. These 2 horse shoes are connected to a cylinder which has a thread inside which you obviusly turn up or down whether you are taking off or putting on. There are different size horse shoes for diferent size applications. When used on struts on modern cars you wind the adjusting bolt up or down with an air zipper gun. They are honestly that safe and very sturdy and well made piece of kit. Don't get me wrong it is still very difficult even with this tool to get the front springs off the P6 you will need to remove the front wing and it will be difficult to install on the spring but it is doable, I have done several times. But what is nice is the job is very safe using this tool and I would not do it any other way. Regards Ken
Brian-Northampton
Administrator
Hi All,
Great thread this one, been running for donkeys!
Anyway, I've read and searched the forum for information on front spring compressors, but I'm non the wiser as to which variety people have found to be successful. Some say they've had problems, and others say that they've managed the job with a "standard set".
Could some of you kind folk out there post an image of what you've used successfully please. I've had a sniff round ebay for a set, but I'm not sure which to buy. There are a variety of lengths, claws, and number of compressors per pack.
Can you also state how long your compressors are, many on eBay are 250mm long, which looks like a good length for removal (current front springs are about 240mm compressed on the car) but my new ones waiting to go in are about 390mm uncompressed. That leads me to some worries :roll:
1. When the existing springs come off, how do you remove the compressors when the spring is under so much tension and will still be compressed when the compressor is at maximum extension :?:
2. How do you get the new spring compressed sufficiently to get the new spring on when the compressors are not much more than half the size of the uncompressed spring :?:
Please, photos and detail would be much appreciated. All tooling must be available in the normal home garage (so I wont have a hydraulic spring compressor on the bench) :wink:
I've seen great compressors on eBay that look like the one falconho is talking about, but these cost the earth - I want something cheaper!
Best Regards all,
Brian.
Great thread this one, been running for donkeys!
Anyway, I've read and searched the forum for information on front spring compressors, but I'm non the wiser as to which variety people have found to be successful. Some say they've had problems, and others say that they've managed the job with a "standard set".
Could some of you kind folk out there post an image of what you've used successfully please. I've had a sniff round ebay for a set, but I'm not sure which to buy. There are a variety of lengths, claws, and number of compressors per pack.
Can you also state how long your compressors are, many on eBay are 250mm long, which looks like a good length for removal (current front springs are about 240mm compressed on the car) but my new ones waiting to go in are about 390mm uncompressed. That leads me to some worries :roll:
1. When the existing springs come off, how do you remove the compressors when the spring is under so much tension and will still be compressed when the compressor is at maximum extension :?:
2. How do you get the new spring compressed sufficiently to get the new spring on when the compressors are not much more than half the size of the uncompressed spring :?:
Please, photos and detail would be much appreciated. All tooling must be available in the normal home garage (so I wont have a hydraulic spring compressor on the bench) :wink:
I've seen great compressors on eBay that look like the one falconho is talking about, but these cost the earth - I want something cheaper!
Best Regards all,
Brian.
Brian-Northampton
Administrator
All,
Can anyone offer their wisdom to my questions please, I'm ready to buy a set of compressors and don't want to waste my cash on something that turns out to be useless!
Many thanks,
Brian.
Can anyone offer their wisdom to my questions please, I'm ready to buy a set of compressors and don't want to waste my cash on something that turns out to be useless!
Many thanks,
Brian.
hermione149
Member
HI all,
Just been looking through a Sealey Tools catalogue,...they have " limited space" spring compressors on special offer at the moment for £22.00 a pair, they look like they could do the job, ...Model No AK3841
Just been looking through a Sealey Tools catalogue,...they have " limited space" spring compressors on special offer at the moment for £22.00 a pair, they look like they could do the job, ...Model No AK3841
unstable load
Well-Known Member
Brian,
These are probably the ones you want to buy.
Snap-On Stock#: YA629A
Shown at $64 so not too pricy in GBP and most likely available on E-bay too.
They are the ones I would buy if I needed them (which I will sooner or later).
Good luck with the springs. Just remember that there is a LOT of stored energy there!!
These are probably the ones you want to buy.
Snap-On Stock#: YA629A
Shown at $64 so not too pricy in GBP and most likely available on E-bay too.
They are the ones I would buy if I needed them (which I will sooner or later).
Good luck with the springs. Just remember that there is a LOT of stored energy there!!
hermione149 said:
When I was young and stupid (as opposed to being old and stupid as I am now) I used 5 large jubilee clips.
It worked fine, but a mechanic who dropped in when I was doing it nearly had a heart attack.
He murmered something about the possibility of getting a smack in the mouth which would leave me with a curly tail for life, and ran away.
Brian-Northampton
Administrator
Thanks everyone for your replies, I thought this type of compressor would be the way to go.
Now, is it best to buy a couple of sets because I think that to compress the new spring is going to require a compression with one set, then again with the other set - due to the length of the uncompressed spring in relation to the length of these spring compressors - hope you get my drift......
Bri.
Now, is it best to buy a couple of sets because I think that to compress the new spring is going to require a compression with one set, then again with the other set - due to the length of the uncompressed spring in relation to the length of these spring compressors - hope you get my drift......
Bri.