I would suggest staying away from HF on this tool purchase.

[splitshot]

Just looks like one item not to skimp on. Strut Compressors;

 

[murf]

As saddletramp says:

"Safety is no accident"

 

[jahawk]

As saddletramp says:

"Safety is no accident"

I actually had one of these break on me. Luckily it was only one of the two, so it just made a ton of noise and scared the **** out of me.

I still have a number of HF tools, but I'll never buy another where failure equals injury.

Jim

 

[Pitch]

He probably could have done without the jack on the A-arm by disconnecting the sway bar too.

But, agreed on the strut compressor being scary… maybe on a car, but it looks overmatched on a truck spring.

 

[Living in the Past]

So John have to tackled this job yet? Looking to get some feed back on install and what your ended replacing them with. When I replaced the CV axle I did disconnect the sway bar. It allowed it to drop further. It also pulled the wire leads from the ABS sensor to tight and broke a wire. Cheap fit from a salvage yard.

Is the spring compressor a part that somewhere like Auto Zone loans? Or is it possible to use a press to do this? This might be one of those jobs just pay to have done. Not worth paying for a quality tool so it can get used once or twice. I buy quality tools I use regularly, cheap special tools on jobs I feel I can do safely. When I don't feel I can do it safely without buy a high dollar tool I just pay someone to do the job.

 

[splitshot]

So John have to tackled this job yet? Looking to get some feed back on install and what your ended replacing them with. When I replaced the CV axle I did disconnect the sway bar. It allowed it to drop further. It also pulled the wire leads from the ABS sensor to tight and broke a wire. Cheap fit from a salvage yard.

Is the spring compressor a part that somewhere like Auto Zone loans? Or is it possible to use a press to do this? This might be one of those jobs just pay to have done. Not worth paying for a quality tool so it can get used once or twice. I buy quality tools I use regularly, cheap special tools on jobs I feel I can do safely. When I don't feel I can do it safely without buy a high dollar tool I just pay someone to do the job.

This weekend...
I picked up a high end set of compressors from Merle's here in Tucson (I look at it as I cannot have enough tools, besides I will probably be servicing the son's Nissan soon). I purchased a set of Procomp ES 6000 struts for the front and ES9's for the rear. I have come to the point if I need to rent of borrow something twice, I need to buy it.
I'll post up any install pros or cons.

 

[Stepmurr]

This weekend...
I picked up a high end set of compressors from Merle's here in Tucson (I look at it as I cannot have enough tools, besides I will probably be servicing the son's Nissan soon). I purchased a set of Procomp ES 6000 struts for the front and ES9's for the rear. I have come to the point if I need to rent of borrow something twice, I need to buy it.
I'll post up any install pros or cons.

I have replaced struts on two cars and decided the extra cost of pre-assembled strut/springs that simply bolt in was well worth reducing the risk of blowing my face off

 

[medtro]

Is the spring compressor a part that somewhere like Auto Zone loans?

Yes, AutoZone has it as loaner.

 

[Living in the Past]

This weekend...
I picked up a high end set of compressors from Merle's here in Tucson (I look at it as I cannot have enough tools, besides I will probably be servicing the son's Nissan soon). I purchased a set of Procomp ES 6000 struts for the front and ES9's for the rear. I have come to the point if I need to rent of borrow something twice, I need to buy it.
I'll post up any install pros or cons.

I'm at a point in life where I'm able to pass this on to the next generation, at least on their own vehicles.

I have replaced struts on two cars and decided the extra cost of pre-assembled strut/springs that simply bolt in was well worth reducing the risk of blowing my face off

I remember many years ago the Chas Roberts the founder of the A/C company lost vision in one eye by a bungee cord while doing something on Airstream trailer. Even with all his money there was still nothing they could do to restore sight in that eye. I worked some dangerous jobs during my career and still have all my limbs and for the most part the full use of those limbs. I accredit this to smart choices using the tool between my ears, that and just plain lucky as I've done some pretty stupid things and got away with it. Now my wife tells your getting old just pay someone to it.

Yes, AutoZone has it as loaner.

Thanks, I figured they might. Years ago I changed a power steering pump on my son's Ford product and got a loaner from them. I know many are big tool fans and always looking for a reason to get another one. My passion (addiction) was old cruiser parts. Loaners work for me.

 

[splitshot]

I'm at a point in life where I'm able to pass this on to the next generation, at least on their own vehicles.

My experience with the next generation is all hands on skills are lumped into something dealing with a keyboard or a game controller. Interest in wrenching on old steel is left to us old farts.

 

[splitshot]

Hands down, I would rather R&R the front struts on a Taco or 4Runner than replace the rear shocks.
I serviced the front end first and it was easy even dealing with the coils. Everything was accessible, getting to the (blind) upper studs on the rear was another story, air tools are a must.
Test drive was the Willow Springs ranch area, huge improvement. Nice to gain some extra travel as well.