does anyone know where i can pick up a spring compressor? planning a front suspension replacement project. thanks in advance

 

Most auto stores.A few near mehave an abundance of cheap-a$$ tools.

OR, you can make your own, basically two metal flanges with a giant bolt:

[img=http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3764/springcompressorrv8.th.png]

 

As cheap as the spring compressors are I would suggest you buy one.


Get the type that fits down the middle of the spring. Almost idiot proof. Of course if something is idiot proof, then it is only a matter of time before somebody builds a better idiot.

 

forget spring compressors, dont even try and make ur own, i wouldn't screw around with that...While my farther and i were compresssing the springs in my 69 Stang, the compressor slipped out, and caught my finger between the compressor and the spring...it was a store baught one...but if u read the package it says "do not use air tools"...well...dont use air tools to compress them...it takes a while by hand...but speeding itup, isn'tworth almost loosing one...

 

I bought mine off ebay and it was about 22 bucks if I remembercorrectly. I felt very safe using it and got my old ones off in 20 minutes. Ill go find you a link..

 

Here you go, 21.99
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Inter...03629374QQrdZ1

And just a little tip, it is a tight fit, but it will work. Also, you have to put it in upside down. Instead of using a ratchet through the top, you have to put the head of the compessor on the bottom side and use a wrench through the coils. If you do it rightside up, the bolt will go into the spring saddle and you wont get anything done.

 

The best one I ever used was a borrowed Snap-On. As I found out when I went to buy one, it was expensive, so I made a copy using a 5/8 by 18 inch long threaded rod, a 5/8 coupler nut, a 5 in dia 1/4 thick plate for the top, a 1/4 by 2 by 5 in long plate, two 5/8 lock nuts for the bottom and several flat washers to act as thrust washers. It works fine, so fine, I made two more for other Mustangs owners. No matter what type you use, be careful, very careful. The coil spring isn't rated around 600 pounds for nothing.
Jim
Don't let your fear and prejudice affect your ingenuity and common sense.