hi guys and merry christmas :) 

 

i cant seem to find out if i made a topic on this but couldnt find it, cant remember if i made a thread on this or not. apologies if i did make one.

 

i need to change the front passenger spring on my car but i cant remeber which tool i need and if it is straight forward.

 

can anyone help please?

 

many thanks

i am thinking about buying this one, has anyone used this?

 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-coil-spring-compressor-kit-2-piece-set/45986

Go for it, the safety police will be along shortly to tell you off but Hilka stuff is OK.

1 hour ago, froggy8 said:

i am thinking about buying this one, has anyone used this?

 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-coil-spring-compressor-kit-2-piece-set/45986

 

The threads are not Acme threads, but ordinary bolt threads. These literally destroy themselves with very little use. You really need an Acme thread for a spring compressor. This is the same type of thread that they use on bench vices, so very strong and long lasting.

 

I've got these two coil spring compressors. The more expensive one, has plastic cups which stops the paint on the coil springs being chipped off.

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/draper-n144-250mm-pair-coil-spring-compressors/

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-14173-Coil-Spring-Comssors/dp/B0001K9Q2W/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=draper+coil+spring+compressor&qid=1608912048&sr=8-1

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1000kg-Macpherson-Strut-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Dumper-Extractor-Yolk-Protector-/263132309969?hash=item3d43e869d1

 

If you're using a spring compressor that might take the paint off, it might be worth cutting up an old bicycle/motorcycle inner tube to size and wrapping that round the coil spring to stop the paint being chipped off and exposing bare metal.

 

Edited 25 December, 20205 yr by Carlston

1 hour ago, Carlston said:

 

The threads are not Acme threads, but ordinary bolt threads. These literally destroy themselves with very little use. You really need an Acme thread for a spring compressor. This is the same type of thread that they use on bench vices, so very strong and long lasting.

 

I've got these two coil spring compressors. The more expensive one, has plastic cups which stops the paint on the coil springs being chipped off.

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/draper-n144-250mm-pair-coil-spring-compressors/

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-14173-Coil-Spring-Comssors/dp/B0001K9Q2W/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=draper+coil+spring+compressor&qid=1608912048&sr=8-1

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1000kg-Macpherson-Strut-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Dumper-Extractor-Yolk-Protector-/263132309969?hash=item3d43e869d1

 

If you're using a spring compressor that might take the paint off, it might be worth cutting up an old bicycle/motorcycle inner tube to size and wrapping that round the coil spring to stop the paint being chipped off and exposing bare metal.

 

thank you, will go for draper 14173

Make sure to replace the springs on both sides.

12 minutes ago, chimaera said:

Make sure to replace the springs on both sides.

thank you, will do.

do i need to take the wheel hub out? ive seen my mechanic do a spring change without removing the wheel hub.

Nearside no. If you do the offside one, yes.

4 minutes ago, Wino said:

Nearside no. If you do the offside one, yes.

many thanks, watched a few videos to get me going.

hhmmmm.....do i really need a hydraulic transmission jack?

Hydraulic transmission jack, hummmm, I'd think that you would need to either be working over an inspection pit or have that car quite high up in the air to benefit from having and using one of them.

 

I've replaced front springs on Polo and Ibiza 3 times and I have not got a hydraulic transmission jack.

 

So, short answer, no you don't need one of them.

2 hours ago, rum4mo said:

Hydraulic transmission jack, hummmm, I'd think that you would need to either be working over an inspection pit or have that car quite high up in the air to benefit from having and using one of them.

 

I've replaced front springs on Polo and Ibiza 3 times and I have not got a hydraulic transmission jack.

 

So, short answer, no you don't need one of them.

thank you for that, all il be getting is this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-14173-Coil-Spring-Compressors-250mm-37cm-x-11-6cm-x-3-2cm-Pack-of-2/193816032270?epid=1805591072&hash=item2d2055f40e:g:IicAAOSw9IZf4QBo

 

then i can start the work.

They'll be great if you want to do the job on lots of cars on a regular basis. 

Arguably overkill/over-expensive for occasional DIY use.  I think I spent £15 on my pair.

 

Edited 26 December, 20205 yr by Wino
sp

11 minutes ago, Wino said:

There'll be great if you want to do the job on lots of cars on a regular basis. 

Arguably overkill/over-expensive for occasional DIY use.  I think I spent £15 on my pair.

 

sorry you got a pair Hydraulic transmission jack for 15 pound?

If you haven't used one before please make sure they are on right you don't want it springing off 🤕

24 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

sorry you got a pair Hydraulic transmission jack for 15 pound?

No; spring compressors.

14 minutes ago, Wino said:

No; spring compressors.

you dont hapen to have a link do you please?

Nope too long ago. The cheap ones are all very similar, like the screwfix ones you linked.  Just grease the threads well before use. Mine have probably done a dozen or so springs without any probs.

3 minutes ago, Wino said:

Nope too long ago. The cheap ones are all very similar, like the screwfix ones you linked.  Just grease the threads well before use. Mine have probably done a dozen or so springs without any probs.

no problem, many thanks for the advice  

1 hour ago, froggy8 said:

thank you for that, all il be getting is this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-14173-Coil-Spring-Compressors-250mm-37cm-x-11-6cm-x-3-2cm-Pack-of-2/193816032270?epid=1805591072&hash=item2d2055f40e:g:IicAAOSw9IZf4QBo

 

then i can start the work.

 

Amazon were selling the Draper14173 coil spring compressors for under £20 earlier this year. They seem to be overpriced at the moment. It might be worth looking at a better value option.

 

Your original Hilka ones might have an Acme thread after all. I was thinking about some even cheaper ones that I purchased for £7.99 that went straight in the bin.

 

Rubbish compressors that went straight in the bin (not from this seller...but same design)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Heavy-Duty-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Clamps-Suspension-Shock-Absorber-Struts-NEW/274128603435?epid=1454404298&hash=item3fd356892b%3Ag%3ARIUAAOSw-TFd6PXP&LH_ItemCondition=1000

If you need something to support the hub against the spring while you unbolt stuff, a bottle or trolley jack will do the job fine.

8 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

Amazon were selling the Draper14173 coil spring compressors for under £20 earlier this year. They seem to be overpriced at the moment. It might be worth looking at a better value option.

 

Your original Hilka ones might have an Acme thread after all. I was thinking about some even cheaper ones that I purchased for £7.99 that went straight in the bin.

 

Rubbish compressors that went straight in the bin (not from this seller...but same design)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Heavy-Duty-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Clamps-Suspension-Shock-Absorber-Struts-NEW/274128603435?epid=1454404298&hash=item3fd356892b%3Ag%3ARIUAAOSw-TFd6PXP&LH_ItemCondition=1000

ahh i already ordered the 30 pound one now :( 

11 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

Amazon were selling the Draper14173 coil spring compressors for under £20 earlier this year. They seem to be overpriced at the moment. It might be worth looking at a better value option.

 

Your original Hilka ones might have an Acme thread after all. I was thinking about some even cheaper ones that I purchased for £7.99 that went straight in the bin.

 

Rubbish compressors that went straight in the bin (not from this seller...but same design)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Heavy-Duty-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Clamps-Suspension-Shock-Absorber-Struts-NEW/274128603435?epid=1454404298&hash=item3fd356892b%3Ag%3ARIUAAOSw-TFd6PXP&LH_ItemCondition=1000

i will cancel the order and order the one i linked  

31 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

i will cancel the order and order the one i linked  

 

My preference would be for Sealey over Hilka. You get good customer support from Sealey, and they do a nice line of trolley jacks. However, the Hilka one that you linked to on Screwfix, looks exactly the same design...probably made in the same factory in China.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-2-PCE-CAR-COIL-SPRING-COMPRESSOR-KIT/191412238567?epid=1840770360&hash=item2c910ef8e7:g:114AAOSwGAhfs6su

 

Sealey AK3841 (Short version)

https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637175238/2pc-coil-spring-compressor

 

Sealey AK3846 (Long version)

https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637175243/2pc-long-reach-coil-spring-compressor

 

Edited 26 December, 20205 yr by Carlston