for those who have your own spring compressors, what type/style is most effective and approx how much should i expect to pay for one?

i've see pics in this forum of a single unit type with a C-shaped base and like 2 or 3 bolt threads with the spring hooks. i went by my local tool shop today and saw a different kind that is a 2 piece unit with hooks for the springs threaded on each of the 2 bolt threads. it seems to be a bit clumsier to use and was selling for ~$50.

is this any good and is it a good price?

TIA!

 

I used the two piece unit. It's easier if you have an air gun. You can rent the spring compressors at Autozone for free, you just have to leave a deposit.

Brad





[Modified by Brad, 2:12 PM 6/29/2002]

 

Here you go. I posted about this a couple of weeks ago when doing my suspension.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=198548

 

yeah you can rent them free from Autozone .. but for only 3 days.. I asked yesterday... I was doing a spring/shock install for a friend... we got the harbor freight spring compressor... it was cheap.. but I wouldnt say it was good... when I was tightening it down.. I saw little metal pieces of the thread on the long bolt and I was like "oh $hit" so I rented one from autozone just in case the HF one snapped.. I didn't want to insure anyone or damage anything...

I'm gonna return the Harbor freight spring compressor... so I would advise against getting it.. I guess you get what you pay for.. but I didn't feel safe using it.. especially seeing little metal shavings n stuff as I was tighting it.. I also broke a socket I bought there .. I was tightening down a bolt and straight snapped the socket.. thats pretty whack...

I'mma try and see if I can find the sears one that Mike Cel suggested.. if not I'mma get one at pep boys..... I figure I drop/do spring/shock installs so much (for me and my friends, etc) I might as well own one..

 

The Autozone near me let me rent it as long as I wanted to. It was a $50 deposit and I returned it like 2 weeks later. When you rent it you actually buy it from them and if you don't bring it back your deposit is the payment. If they don't get one back from you in like a month they just order a new one from the warehouse. At least that's how the one near me does it.

 

hmm maybe its high demand in So Cali or something... because they told me that I could only have it for 3 days and if you don't return it they consider that you bought it.. on the reciept it said "used loaner tool spring compressor" as the item description... so I don't think I'd pay $50 for a used tool.. but yeah maybe its diff at your place or its not a high demand item.. I used it to work on my frenz camry this weekend and it worked well.. I was going to rend one from pep boys.. but when I opened the box there was missing parts.. i gues they don't check it when u return it Lolz..

 

thanks for all the great advice guys. appreciate it!