Spring Compressors/What Do You Use To Get Your Extra Long Springs On Their Perches? (2 Viewers)

[ColoradoLC]

I've done suspension installs on lots of different cars over the years, and some area easier than others. I started my suspension mods on my 97 within the first year of ownership, putting on an OME 2.5" suspension to replace my saggy original suspension. I've just completed the upgrade to Icon/Slinky 70mm suspension and the hardest part of the whole process was compressing the springs.

I've replaced about 20 suspensions on VW/Audis, as I used to be in a VW/Audi club here in Denver and it was pretty quick and painless to go through this process, as long as you used spring compressors and had an air compressor to go with it. I have not been able to find a spring compressor for the long springs used for increasing the ride height on Cruisers. With VW/Audis, you always wanted to go lower. With offroad trucks, you want to go higher.

I got through my install and used 2-3 big ratchet straps to get the springs compressed to where I could slide them into the perches, but just noticed one of them is rotated and I need to move it back. I tried yesterday, but don't have the ratchet straps I used before, so I figured now would be a good time to find a better solution, otherwise, I'll go out and buy more ratchet straps.

 

[enox]

why cant you unbolt the shock and drop that side down to get enough slack to just grab it and twist?

 

[Rwhat]

If all else fails use a external spring compressor.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Loosen control arms , panhard, and remove shocks. Once new springs are installed retorque arms and panhard at resting ride height. Something you should do ever time you change springs

 

[Squeegee]

I put the 6 ton jack all the way up. Unbolt the shocks, panhard, and the brake like mounted on the axle. Then I lower the axle until the rotors touch the driveway. That usually gives me enough room to slip on my 2.5” tapered coils that give me 4” of lift without using a spring compressor. The tallest one is 622mm if that helps give reference.

 

[ColoradoLC]

Right! I guess I could free the shock. Sometimes I just have to do things the hard way but this is what happens when you get the shocks 7 months before the springs. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Here you go.....

 

[Pascoscout]

I use a macpherson spring compressor. Ratcheting box end wrench makes install and removal go quickly. Just be sure to tighten and loosen both clamps at an even rate, seen too many failures of this tool because the user tries to tighten or loosen one side all the way then go to the other.