Are there any non-crappy consumer-grade spring compressors options?
 

I need to replace the springs on my old Saab 900 ('85 SPG), as I absolutely hate the lowering springs that are on it and want to put stock springs on. It's getting red Konis, too. I've been putting this off because while the rear is easy (disconnect forward trailing arm attachment, jack axle down, spring just falls out), the fronts are tightly packaged and are long enough to require a compressor. I've been putting this off because I dislike working with spring compressors, but I'm sick of the bad ride and the oversprung/underdamped handling.

Most of the ones I see have single-ear hooks for the threaded rods. Is there anything better out there? I'd rather rent/borrow from a FLAPS, but I'd buy something if it was good enough (I'll use it again eventually). IME the single-ear compressors seldom stay where they want them and you have to try two or three times to get it compressed evenly.

This is a SLA suspension, so I can't just take a strut assembly off and give it to a shop to do on their floor-mounted machine, which I would do if I could.

a guy i knew had one mounted to his garage wall. it was badass!! he sold it because his wife got tired of us parading across his home doing all of our suspensions.

i would go and meet him to help him work on his truck (as payback)..i dont think many did. hench he got rid of the thing.

if it was a one time event, i would ask a shop to put the struts together for me. my neighbor had it done for a six pack..

chit..just re-read your last sentence..crap..that sucks!!!

How about something like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html

Never used one, but it does look interesting.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rnz65M4OYys" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Since you don't care about the springs tne other option is to take a grinder and cut the coil while it's still on the car. cut one coil at the bottom, when it breaks loose it will sound like gunshot the first time. Cut until tension is gone.

Remove.

rjp

I bought one of these in Germany back in 2002. I think they are available in US now. Each side is held in by the horizontal bar that slides for width:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526134488.jpg

God, I wish I could do it that way. Mechanical advantage is a great thing.

Random picture from the Internet:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526135022.JPG

Disconnecting the top of that shock won't give you the clearance to simply lower the a-arm down?

If that's the case- there's a good chance the shock is shot anyhow, you may be able to pull it down by hand for clearance. Pull shock, lower A arm remove spring?

rjp

The inverse way to do that is use a wood block on floor jack under the rotor to compress springs "in place".

Jack it up, set your clamps a bit more than hand tight, slowly lower and viola.

Yup. Save your forearms as well. Cranking spring compressors by hand absolutely sucks. I use my rattle gun, IDGAF.

rjp

I think it is possible to remove lowering springs without a compressor by disconnecting the shock, but you definitely can't get a stock spring in without a compressor - it's too tall.

LOL...all ya need are two butts, two hands, and a pair of lips...easy-peasy :)