Strut compression - Best Practices

[Johnny O]

Hello Gang,

Getting ready to assemble the struts and get them in this week, thus finishing the lift. In my studies I have observed both using a fancy wall mount spring compressor, a dangerous looking DIY set with the three bars, and a number of "no special tools needed" assembly techniques. I have access to all three methods but got to wondering the pros and cons between the three. My plan is to rent a bay at the local DIY garage and use they hydraulic compression thingy under guidance.

But out of pure curiosity I figured I see if we could get a discussion going.

 

[tommudd]

To compress the OME springs please use a wall mounted compressor to install your new SHOCKS
Struts are used on cars without upper control arms
Trust me , you need to do it right , those rental ones from the Zones and others DO NOT work , fingers will not fully get back into the springs and will come out
I have personally witnessed a way lower rated spring come out of a compressor and hit a friend in the head, ( lived for years in a vegatable state before he passed )
I have also see a OME 790 spring get loose and bust a cement block wall over 20 foot away
So if your wife likes your pretty face, do her a favor and pay someone that is used to compressing springs do it for you

 

[Johnny O]

Apologies on my ongoing substitution between struts and shocks. Also just learned that "MacPherson Struts" applies to the style, not just the actual product these days....was also a cool Band Name.

As for the wall mount, I came to the same conclusion. The local DIY garage has one and they insist one of their inhouse guys works with you on this. Those DIY tool kits look ludicrous to me- sure I don't know modern style suspensions very well, but the physics seems amiss.

I once managed to get a NOS McPherson lodged in the ceiling of the Base Auto Hobby Shop at 32nd Street building my first Baja Super- didn't hurt the strut much, but they nicked my pay for months to repair the roof. Was definitely a Brown Pants day.

 

[Offroad Bob]

I agree with tommudd ! I took mine to a local 4 x 4 shop and they assembled the pair for $100 and I didnt have to worry about getting hurt or worse !

 

[tommudd]

I have personally seen a OME 790 come loose, go across two bays and take a LARGE chunk out of a concrete block wall like it was butta
Also seen my friends head get partially removed and turned him into a vegetable with some of the cheapo spring compressors

 

[65Corvair]

I bought a spring compressor like this:
eBay Hydraulic Spring Compressor
Overall, I really like it and have assembled/disassembled my front coilovers a few times.
But as others have said you need to use caution around these devices that store this much energy.
I do all the assembly/disassembly outside. If something happens, it will fly into the air, and not the ceiling of my garage.