I'm installing tokico springs and shocks and the spaces in the front springs are too close together to install the spring compressor. The guys at autozone said there were no other types of spring compressor available to fit on the outside of the spring. I think I can compress it on the car with a jack, but it seems a bit dangerous. Do I need to go to a different auto parts store? Just take the springs and shocks into honda for them to assemble?

Thnx in advance for your help!

 

go to pep boys they have a spring compressor that attaches from the outside and firmly grasps the coil using "C" shaped bolts

i can get you a picture of one when i get home

 

I'll check them out after I get off work.

It sounds like the same thing I got from autozone. The C shaped bolts were fine on the rear spring, but the front springs were too close together.

I'll give it a shot...gotta find a pep boys. Thnx McDade.

 

spring compressors....BAHH!!!...i dont need em...well only when im lowering the car....putting stock springs back on is a different story....just take the whole coil over to the front lawn...put your foot on the coilover...and just loosen the bolt...the soft grass will effectively bite into the spring and prevent things wrom flying too far...most of the spring energy dissipates into the ground...if you really wanna use a spring compressor just look around for one that has smaller "hooks"...my buddy has a set so i use his...but i know what your talking about since i rented one once and it was way to bulky to fit...

 

so u r saying if u jack the car up off the ground so there is no weight sitting on the spring it still is too compressed to fit the hooks between the coils?
that is what i had to do when I changed the suspension on my accord.

 

incubus, you are correct. The spring is currently off the car, and the spring compressor hook still will not fit, as wuhungsixx said.

wuhungs1xxx, I already removed the stock springs with the method you mentioned. I am trying to get the new springs on. I'm glad someone has heard of this problem. The guy at autozone didn't believe me when I said they wouldn't fit. I found a spring compressor on Advance Auto parts web site that will work, but I don't think they rent tools. Does anyone know? Getting to Pep Boys is going to be a trip for me.

Thnx all.

 

i dont know how long the springs are your installing but i just put body weight on the bastard and bounce around and have someone else at the ready to twist the nut on...all you need i one thread to keep the sucker one...then i just tighten it up with the ratchet...find a big fella to do the bouncing...i weight 240lbs so that probably helps me a bit...if not just chcek all the autoparts stores around your place and ask to look at them before you rent of course

 

warning* im not responsible for anything stupid you may do or get injured from this.

I changed springs on a hb, we didnt have a spring compressor so what we did was unbolt the bottom of the shock, put a jack under the suspension nad jack it up so the spring is compressed, take out the center bolt slowly then gently and slowly, release the pressure in the jack, it will slowly come down and come off the shock. to reinstall, just reassemble the shockbolt it onto the bottom then do the same thing slowly jack the suspension up so the spring gets compressed, once its to the top put the bolt back on. what we did to make it a little safer is we got a piece of 2x4 we had laying around and laid it against and pressed against the spring, just as a shield in case the spring let loose.

 

Thanks for your help WuShu and wuhungsixxx. I might be able to make it work.

 

I am about to change my suspension without a spring compressor. Just wondering, is this a job that I should be attempting alone? It looks easy enough in the book.

 

aftermarket lowering springs can usually be put on/taken off without a spring compressor...id make sure that the strut arm is completely out, ive had that happen before

 

I've had the problem of the spring compressor not fitting the spring. To remove the old spring, I jammed the grabbing part of the tool into the coil with a hammer (it scratches the springs but who cares-you are putting new ones on). With the new springs, they are shorter, so you can compress them enough with your weight to bolt them up. That was the time I wished I had a third hand or a helper - I weigh 150lbs and I had to use all my weight to compress the spring and them manage to put the cap/bolt on.

 

a helping hand always makes it easier. but as long as youre careful, youll be fine.