Has anyone purchased these spring compressors? Are they worth it? Safe?
I have one that I got from WCCC several years back. I like it and have used it many times.
If those are the same manufacture then they are a good tool.
[Coil Spring Compressing Tool - New ~ 1967 - 1973 Mercury Cougar / 1967 - 1973 Ford Mustang ( 1967 Mercury Cougar, 1968 Mercury Cougar, 1969 Mercury Cougar, 1970 Mercury Cougar, 1971 Mercury Cougar, 1972 Mercury Cougar, 1973 Mercury Cougar, 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang, 1965 Ford Mustang, 1966 Ford Mustang, 1967 Ford Mustang, 1968 Ford Mustang, 1969 Ford Mustang, 1970 Ford Mustang, 1971 Ford Mustang, 1972 Ford Mustang, 1973 Ford Mustang, Other Ford/Mercury ...) at West Coast Classic Cougar :: The Definitive 1967 - 1973 Mercury Cougar Parts Source]
They are OK but I got the bearing race to come off - maybe I had used it successfully on 10 cars previous to that - and as a result I had to cut the coil spring with a torch like you often see on TV.
I bought another one - off eBay - so you know I liked it otherwise.
Be very careful!!! They are a china knockoff. I bought one and the welds were not safe, and one weld wasn’t burned in and the part could have exploded. I got a full refund without returning it. I ground down the welds and burned some knew welds in.
Don’t buy the knockoff unless you have a welder! The real one is only $100 on eBay
What is “the real one?” Thanks for the heads up on the welds and the cheap Chinese knock offs
I never bought anything from China. All of mine are made in the USA by Americans.
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Except the steel. USA steel is just too expensive. Usually 30% more if I ask about it. I wouldn’t believe anyone that claims they use only US. steel.
I think they are cheaper on a website maybe.
Anytime you see “US Stock” on eBay, it’s guaranteed to be an import part or tool. I do not like those types of compressors regardless of where they’re made.
I have the SnapOn version of the Autozone spring compressor tool. Bought it decades ago and it’s served me well for dozens of cars. I’ve been recommending the OEM Tools compressor to a lot of people and they have had good success with it.
The method I use is to place the “fork” upside down on top of the shocktower. This draws the spring up into the tower, allowing you to remove the two UCA nuts and pull it out of the way. Then loosen the compressor and out comes the spring - if needed.
Thanks for the suggestion blue68cat. Will that work on a 70’ cougar? You make those?
The Tommy Zee’s spring compressor that blue68cat put a link to has worked very well for me. Much safer tool and method of getting the front coils out and in. I opted extra for the bearing version. Tried a couple other spring compressors with clamp styles that just wouldn’t align properly or compress safely enough.
The lower spring seat with swivels that Drake has are a reasonable priced upgrade that make the coils easier to install, and give less binding of the suspension action. The full roller coil spring seats like Open Tracker makes are pricier, but are said to give a smoother ride and quicker suspension response.
I second the Tommyzees compressor he sells on ebay. I’ve used it several times and it works perfectly. Go with the one he sells, avoid the cheap knock offs.
Sfness, how does that one work on a cougar? I have seen those around, just not sure how it would work on that type of car. Thanks for your help
Also for sale here
Take out the shock absorber. Drop the main part of the tool through the upper shock absorber hole and engage the hooks on one of the upper coils. Slide the teardrop-shaped part between lower coils so the recess at the end of the slot is engaged at the end of the compressor shaft. There is a picture of one in use in the factory shop manual.
That’s the type I grew up using and have more recently purchased a new one of my own.
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They are way safer IMO. I purchased mine from WCCC and works great. Coil Spring Compressing Tool - New ~ 1967 - 1973 Mercury Cougar / 1967 - 1973 Ford Mustang ( 1967 Mercury Cougar, 1968 Mercury Cougar, 1969 Mercury Cougar, 1970 Mercury Cougar, 1971 Mercury Cougar, 1972 Mercury Cougar, 1973 Mercury Cougar, 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang, 1965 Ford Mustang, 1966 Ford Mustang, 1967 Ford Mustang, 1968 Ford Mustang, 1969 Ford Mustang, 1970 Ford Mustang, 1971 Ford Mustang, 1972 Ford Mustang, 1973 Ford Mustang, Other Ford/Mercury ...) at West Coast Classic Cougar :: The Definitive 1967 - 1973 Mercury Cougar Parts Source