Full Answer
Do you need a spring compressor to take apart a shock?
However, if you need to take the shock and spring apart, then you’ll either need spring compressors or you can perform the No Spring Compressor Method.
What is the no spring compressor method?
The No Spring Compressor Method is a way of disassembling your shock assembly (or coilover) without the use of a spring compressor tool. In your coilover/shock assembly, you have a spring that is compressed by a shock between the upper and lower perches, which are connected to the shock.
How do you adjust the coil spring on a shock absorber?
Make sure the coil spring is rotated within the shock so that the top and bottom of the coil matches the top and bottom perches as shown below. Now, get the floor jack into position so that when it jacks up the lower control arm, it contacts the very end of the LCA.
What is a spring compressor tool?
The other spring compressor tool is a hand tool that uses hooks to hold the spring, while requiring you to ratchet down the hooks to compress the spring. This tool is hit or miss.
Do you need a spring compressor to replace struts?
The shocks and struts on many vehicles are integrated with springs that can pop off and injure you or damage your vehicle if not removed properly. In such cases, you'll need a spring compressor in order to take everything apart safely.
How do you compress a strut spring without a spring compressor?
0:203:21And I just like to take a quick video to show you an amazing way to compress a spring with with justMoreAnd I just like to take a quick video to show you an amazing way to compress a spring with with just a ratchet strap you don't actually have a spring compressor.
How can I compress my struts at home?
3:4810:12So if you watch as i'm doing this i tried to use the impact and zip it off but it didn't work uh soMoreSo if you watch as i'm doing this i tried to use the impact and zip it off but it didn't work uh so i have to do it by hand so i have to hold it with an allen wrench and then turn it with a wrench.
How do you remove springs without a spring compressor?
0:1516:04So what I start with is just go ahead and get that loose. The next step is there are two littleMoreSo what I start with is just go ahead and get that loose. The next step is there are two little fasteners little retaining clips that you'll want to remove from the strut.
How do you compress struts on a car?
The Safe Way to Compress a Strut or Coilover SpringRemove strut or coilover from the vehicle.Place the lower spring hooks at three equal positions around the lower coils.Center the spring and make sure it is dead vertical.Place the upper spring hooks at three equal position around the upper coils.More items...•
How do you make a valve spring compressor?
6:1315:54Two little notches in it so we can bolt it to the head and then we'll just weld a plate off of thisMoreTwo little notches in it so we can bolt it to the head and then we'll just weld a plate off of this or something and then just put like a nut welding nut to that and then put a bolt through that nut.
Can you compress a strut by hand?
You cannot judge the strength or condition of a shock/strut by hand movement alone. The force and speed generated by a vehicle in operation exceeds what you can accomplish by hand. The fluid valves are calibrated to operate differently depending on the degree of movement inertia which cannot be duplicated by hand.
How do you know if spring is compressed enough?
2:084:01So it means that we don't have any pressure. Okay so now you can see the spring is compressed allMoreSo it means that we don't have any pressure. Okay so now you can see the spring is compressed all the way we don't have any tension.
Is it safe to compress car springs?
Compressing springs is a very dangerous job. The energy that compressed springs pack is tremendous. If your redneck, home-made coil spring compressor were to fail it could literally crack your skull, take your face off and even kill you.
Can I fit lowering springs myself?
The process is not difficult, so anyone with garage access and a little know-how can accomplish this modification. Since lowering springs are designed to work with your existing factory suspension, they can simply replace your coil springs.
How do you remove springs from struts?
7:1811:59You can now get your impact wrench and remove the top nut now removing the top nut. Without anMoreYou can now get your impact wrench and remove the top nut now removing the top nut. Without an impact wrench is really really hard so I definitely recommend an impact wrench for this.
What tools do I need to install lowering springs?
Tools To Install Lowering SpringsBasic hand tools, including screwdrivers, pry bars, metric and fractional wrenches, metric and fractional sockets, ratchets, and extensions.Impact wrench, either electric or pneumatic.Floor jack and jack stands.Spring compressors.
How to do the “No Spring Compressor Method”?
The vehicle should be raised and supported on jack stands prior to doing any of this work. The weight of the vehicle (supported on jack stands) will act as the support on one end when decompressing the spring.
How to disconnect the spring and shock from the upper shock mount?
Remove the large center nut and this will disconnect the spring and shock from the upper shock mount. Therefore, when you bring the LCA down along with the spring and shock, it will be supported against the upper shock mount when decompressing the spring.
How to remove shock assembly?
Therefore, if you are simply replacing the entire shock assembly, then you can remove the three top mount nuts (that surround the center nut), and this will disconnect the strut assembly from the body. The whole shock assembly will have the shock and spring—still compressed with the center nut. However, for the No Spring Compressor Method, you will leave these three nuts in place and will be focusing on the large center nut. By doing this, you will be removing the shock and spring but the top perch/mount will still be connected at the top with those three nuts/bolts.
What is the bottom connection on a shock?
The bottom connection (lower shock connection) is still connected to the LCA with the nut/bolt broken loose , but still connected. The upper connection (large center shock nut) will be the last step of removal before the spring can be free to decompress. However, when you disconnect that top center shock nut, the shock’s top center threads are still sticking out of the strut mount. Therefore, it is still supported from lateral movement. The only way for the shock to go is down… that is what the floor jack is for— to allow the LCA (and shock/spring) to lower down with it.
What wrench do you use to loosen a center nut?
The center nut may need an additional wrench or allen wrench to keep the bolt from turning while you loosen the center nut.
What happens when you disconnect shock nut?
However, when you disconnect that top center shock nut, the shock’s top center threads are still sticking out of the strut mount. Therefore, it is still supported from lateral movement.
What is used to push up on a LCA?
When the spring needs to be be compressed again, the floor jack will be used to push up on the LCA and in effect the spring will be compressed into place. The center upper shock nut will then be tightened to complete the installation.
How much droop does a strut need?
The maximum droop of the strut is typically limited by the strut tube/rod however the lower suspension arm usually prevents full droop thus he problem getting the strut off without spring compressors as you need 2 to 3 inches to slide the bottom of the strut out of the hub carrier.
Can you take off a strut without a spring compressor?
You can take the complete strut off intact but you can’t dismantle to remove the spring without a spring compressor. Well you could hold the strut in a vice and undo the nut until the spring exits the workshop through the roof but then you would need to compress the new spring to refit.
Is a spring compressor bad?
Spring compressors aren't nasty, they are the right tool for the job & are what makes the job safe to do.#N#£15 for a decent set that will last for years is a small price to pay for keeping all your fingers & eyes intact!
