Coil spring compressors.

Ouch77

Ouch77

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I'm looking for a new/different set of spring compressors - mine are fine, most the time, but the 'hook' is quite close to the threaded stud(about 25mm from centre of stud to centre of spring hook), which mean that the thread frequently binds on the spring cups.
Any recommendations for a reasonably priced set in the UK with good clearance? I prefer the thread & hooks type as they can be used on the car too.
 
I think probably most of them do it, I have two pairs and both of them do. the stress under tension causes the threaded part to bend. They might make some thicker ones, haven't seen any but they might be a bit cumbersome. Have a look on Ebay, they have most things on there.

Peter
 
Ouch77 said:
I'm looking for a new/different set of spring compressors - mine are fine, most the time, but the 'hook' is quite close to the threaded stud(about 25mm from centre of stud to centre of spring hook), which mean that the thread frequently binds on the spring cups.
Any recommendations for a reasonably priced set in the UK with good clearance? I prefer the thread & hooks type as they can be used on the car too.
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When i replaced my rear springs a while ago, There was just no space around the spring, due to the upper cup, to get the compressors in. Instead, what I did was used the compressors on the bench to compress the new spring, then lashed them in a compressed state, so I could remove the compressors. Once in place, I was able to cut the rope lashings and pull them out, with a bit of a fight.
 
You could buy the correctly sized threaded rod from toolstation or similar and just use that? I don't know if it has to be 8.8 or 10.8 though

Nozzle
 
Nozzle said:
You could buy the correctly sized threaded rod from toolstation or similar and just use that? I don't know if it has to be 8.8 or 10.8 though

Nozzle
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No, they usually have a different thread form. A square-shouldered "ACME" thread like a vice, designed to work under load. An ordinary screw thread, with angled faces, wouldn't last long.

Back to the OP though, I think they're all like that, unless you want to spend a lot of money on a powered one. As has been said, it's to keep the bending stresses in the threaded part as low as possible. I find that when I'm using them, the spring bends sideways a bit, so the trick is to do one up until the spring pan just starts to foul, and then the other one will have a bit of a gap between itself and the spring pan, so move to that one, and so on.
 
Thanks all - I got a set from screwfix in the end, they don't offer much more offset that my current set, but having a second set mean I can reposition one clamp if needed without things getting all bendy-weird.
 
Avocet said:
No, they usually have a different thread form. A square-shouldered "ACME" thread like a vice, designed to work under load. An ordinary screw thread, with angled faces, wouldn't last long.
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Interesting my original clamps have quite a coarse a square thread, but the new ones I got from screwfix are a regular metric 60degree thread. it will be interesting to see how long they last.

I've also got a bearing sleeve and compression set with M8 M10 and M12 threaded pullers - all are metric 60degree threads again - I've used them once so far, but I'm curious as to if it's possible to get a square thread shaft in similar sizes to replace these.
 
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You could also try a couple of cable ties to help keep them on the straight and narrow as you gradually tighten opposite clamps.
 
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