Thread: Tips on compressing performance springs for installation?

I'm in the middle of installing RoadMagnet springs on my B13. Stock springs are off, I'm running into issues getting the new springs on. The main issue is that I can't use my (Harbor Freight) spring compressor, because there is only about 1 coil that I can get these on to, the rest of the coils are very close together and the compressor won't fit. I'm unable to get the top piece on and the nut threaded without compressing the springs.

I can't put enough weight on the top of the spring pressing down and still be able to start threading the nut. Working alone isn't helping.

I finally had some success using a ratcheting strap (1" wide, 500lb capacity), looped this around the coil 3-4 times, ratcheted down, finally got enough compression. While this worked, it was an ugly solution, the straps would shift position, and one side would always tighten more than the other.

Any tips from others who have installed similar springs (these are for front struts if that matters) would be appreciated.

Really? I've never had issues installing lowering springs....always been able to just lean on them a bit to get the nut started then a couple blip blip blips w/an impact...never even needed to use spring compressor with lowering springs...ever...

Not sure about B13 stuff but I have done quite a few strut spring installs. I have had several spring compressors not work well, some are too bulky or don't compress enough like you are running into. I found that Oreilly has a strut spring compressor that is pretty compact and works pretty darn good and it's a free rental tool also.

You can always hook the spring compressor to the spring perch and top plate to get more compression. It doesn't always have to be hooked on to the spring itself to compress.


Harbor Freight is teh suck for tools like that and super dangerous.

Yeah, this tool is a bit different from the kind I usually rent from the local chain stores through a loan-a-tool program, I'm not terribly happy with it now that I'm using it. As for hooking it to anything but the coil, I'm not convinced that it would grip that well, but I'll do a test fitting tonight and see.

Aside from the installation, I'm also researching this for down the road when the springs need to be compressed for removal as well, which is going to be the same challenge.

One bit of info I should have mentioned originally was that I'm installing these with shortened Koni inserts (CSK), so I've lost some height from the strut where it would have poked out the top of the spring.

This is what we use that can be bought for less than $20 shipped:

Heavy Duty Coil Spring Strut Compressor Remover Installer Suspension Tool | eBay

^ yes, we just have a cheap tool that you use an impact to use (or crank by hand takes longer but can be done).

I like that you can use a 1/2" drive extension inside as well as a socket on the outside to turn the shaft as opposed to the rental available at O'Reilly's which only accepts sockets, or wrenches, because at certain points it is almost impossible to slide a socket on or off, especially with the P chasis tapered springs. Other than that, they don't look as safe or sturdy as the rental I just referred to.

^ used ours correctly for 20+ years without incident FWIW ...but I imagine someone could use it incorrectly and really injure themselves

The HF spring compressor will work fine with the Road Magnets... it's what I used to do mount my RM/CSKs. Flip the tool 180. Because of the design, you can slide one end of the tool up farther on the spring than the other end. Remember to use only hand tools to tighten the compressor and try to keep the pressure on both sides fairly even. I found getting the compressor off once everything is complete and untensioned required me to take a rubber mallet to help walk it back down the spring. Hope that helps.

As for the HF tool itself, it's ok... It doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, but it hasn't broken in the half dozen times i've used it, and show no sign of doing so. I inspect it before each use and am careful not to have a compressed spring pointing at myself or anyone in the garage. All of these style compressors are kinda sketchy. Unfortunatly, a professional shop style one like OTC makes runs in the 700-800 dollar range.

This is what I'd really like to upgrade to... Maybe someday.
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6591-StrutTamer-Extreme-Compressor/dp/B002MXQ2PU/ref=sr_1_8?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1473286854&sr=1-8&keywords=otc+spring+compressor

Jow my homies make it happen down in mex https://youtu.be/C4txUjbIfNM