swapping front springs

[Rockhopper]

What's the definitive answer regarding safe spring compressors for the front struts that are not the floor mounted type? Any links to something that we know works?

One of my Suplex front springs broke this morning, its only done 15,000 miles but its been on the car for four years so its down to me I imagine...

Interestingly AutoDOC will only sell them in pairs so I went elsewhere!

 

[Zedebee]

A pair of heavy duty standard spring compressors from eBay work fine. Your real question should be how to use them safely. Because of the limited number of turns and non-uniform coil diameter, Z4 front springs are difficult.

I use two compressors and a vice, whereas others have reported better results with three compressors (but then you need two pairs). [ref]pp1600[/ref] posted an alternative approach on “What have you done to your car today?” using a broken rear spring to provide symmetrical grip. The picture makes more sense.

 

[Rockhopper]

Nah, i wont be going down that route! I have some hook type compressors but the hooks touch each other before they compress enough to safely undo the bolt. I don't have a vice either.

 

[enuff_zed]

If one is broken and the other is 15k and 4 years old and has been driven the same way I think I’d be changing the pair.

 

[enuff_zed]

Whereabouts are you? I’m Norfolk based and have a floor mounted compressor. I think bigwinn has in Lincoln too?

 

[Rockhopper]

I'm near Mansfield sadly and I don't have any alternative transport. I have a tame mobile chap who will do it for me when I've got the new spring. I would normally do both of them but I don't really think it should have failed at such low mileage. Its not even slightly rusty and it wasn't even on a bumpy road when it snapped! I do wonder if maybe the top mount has seized (I have a brand new spare in the shed).

 

[caius]

I've got a floor mounted one over in Shropshire too, Lincoln is probably closer to you.

I replaced a 1 series M-Sport spring years ago and a hook type compressor slipped, luckily with barely any tension on it so I went and trawled ebay for a safer option.

 

[Rockhopper]

Tempting!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235953787902?chn=ps&_ul=GB&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1bJAEvIVJR1q_yBNOkMIvFA20&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=235953787902&targetid=2407181292471&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9189972&poi=&campaignid=21690875706&mkgroupid=177083931598&rlsatarget=pla-2407181292471&abcId=10027099&merchantid=6995734&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21690875706&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1fZJsbT3IoXEX-PPQcXRjHNq&gclid=CjwKCAjwi-DBBhA5EiwAXOHsGQzoshv_zjtR7WGfGLhvVWHMzTamss1TL9E0iAPlu9FlIqTEPWRVThoCe-IQAvD_BwE

 

[enuff_zed]

Tempting!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235953787902?chn=ps&_ul=GB&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1bJAEvIVJR1q_yBNOkMIvFA20&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=235953787902&targetid=2407181292471&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9189972&poi=&campaignid=21690875706&mkgroupid=177083931598&rlsatarget=pla-2407181292471&abcId=10027099&merchantid=6995734&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21690875706&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1fZJsbT3IoXEX-PPQcXRjHNq&gclid=CjwKCAjwi-DBBhA5EiwAXOHsGQzoshv_zjtR7WGfGLhvVWHMzTamss1TL9E0iAPlu9FlIqTEPWRVThoCe-IQAvD_BwE

That looks identical to the Sealey one I bought. Three times now people have slipped me a few quid to use it so that recoups a bit. Strut strip and rebuild now takes five minutes once it’s off the car. Used to be nearly an hour, using three threaded bar types and a lot of care.

 

[Rockhopper]

Thanks, I think I'll give it a go. My mechanic will charge me £100 to come and do it so I may as well then I can also do the other side when I have time. Luckily i can work from home so it not a massive drama and it broke less than 100 yards from here so i was able to get it back onto the drive!

Ta

 

[bigwinn]

Always welcome here matey

I have to say having used the eBay specials for a while the floor compressor is a total breeze

And a joy to use

Let me know if you want to pop up, even if you pop the struts off the car

 

[Rockhopper]

Thank you!

 

[Rockhopper]

So you can see the break happened due to a failure of the powder coating. Just one tiny little spot then water gets underneath and the rust cracks the rest of the coating as well as starting a surface pit on the spring itself which is where the failure started from.
Its possible the initial damage to the coating was caused when they were fitted.

 

[Rockhopper]

Well the machine turned up today. First impressions are wow, what a bit of kit for £88. Very solidly built, super heavy and substantial. Just need the bloody spring to turn up now...

 

[enuff_zed]

Well the machine turned up today. First impressions are wow, what a bit of kit for £88. Very solidly built, super heavy and substantial. Just need the bloody spring to turn up now...

Don’t make the same mistake I did with the compressor. You need to set the old strut in it fairly high up or otherwise when you unbolt the top mount you don’t have enough room to lower it enough to get the expanded spring out. Doesn’t look like an issue if you already have the old one apart, but if you do the other side then set the top clamp up high and pump the piston up to meet it.

 

[raymond.harper]

Be very careful with that machine, the Amazon version has a safety cage. But with two negative reviews, they won't sell many more.

 

[Rockhopper]

Good point Martin, cheers.

 

[Rockhopper]

That particular one does but there are many others on there with lots of positive reviews that don’t have cage. Use the safety chain and it’s far safer than any of the other options.

 

[enuff_zed]

That particular one does but there are many others on there with lots of positive reviews that don’t have cage. Use the safety chain and it’s far safer than any of the other options.

It does look identical to my Sealey one.
To compress the strut sufficiently you have to put the lower spring clamp under the spring mount on the strut. This does cause a little bit of damage to the rubber cover but I couldn’t get it to compress enough on the spring alone.

 

[pp1600]

Nah, i wont be going down that route! I have some hook type compressors but the hooks touch each other before they compress enough to safely undo the bolt. I don't have a vice either.

I have the hook type compressors and yes, they don't compress enough to undo the bolt.. 'Zedebee' posted my solution in the second post using the hook compressors.. More secure than any spring compressor ive used due to the matching spring angles... and it cost nothing...
just stick a broken rear spring on the lower part of the strut...simples!

It also pulls the spring down square and allows the springs to be positioned easily on the spring pads.. which can also be a headache..