heretic

As you can see it looks pretty heavy duty. Bear in mind that i can use this both my passat as well as my Audi, so I'm thinking it would be worth it. I don't own air tools and so getting the cheapie screw-down type would be difficult by hand... even if I did own air tools, I would still want this.

http://www.etoolcart.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=566&M MP=1

My second choice, would be a "clam" type screw-down, such as this OTC one.

Does anyone have advie on this? Or used either?

Thanks!
Colin
http://www.closeout.com/we-otc-6494.html

WJM

the standard/cheapie screw downs are not difficult to work with a standard 3/8" ratchet

RKA

Mike @ purems also uses the same one. It's about $350, but it's relative small, portable, and strong. It has a drive nut on the end. Just put an impact gun on it, and it operates like a breeze. Takes all the drudgery out of the task.

Two cons with that compressor. First, the "fingers" are a little thick, so if you have a spring with a bunch of dead coils on the end, this won't work well for you. Truth be told, I haven't found many compressors short of a very expensive Branick, that will do such work easily.

The second issue is the drive nut is attached to the driveshaft via a pin. That pin can break if you compress the fingers all the way together, where then won't go any further, and continue to hit the nut with the impact gun. I've done this more than once...just trying to squeeze that spring a little extra. Eventually that pin will fatigue and break...either from the misuse above, or just regular use. It's a good design (intended to keep you from breaking the compressor), however it does mean you'll have to keep spare pins about in case it breaks at the wrong time. The good news is they are commonly available in Home Depot for about 50 cents each.

Short of that, this compressor has been passed around central NJ many times over. I feel totally safe using this thing vs. some cheap $20 piece of crap from Sears. If you want to invest in something that will last, this is the ticket. Now all you have to do is search to find the exact model I'm talking about (I'm too lazy to go hunt for it right now).

TRTW

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Berk-Automotive-Heavy-Duty-Strut-Coil-Spring-Compressor_W0QQitemZ4444330117QQcategoryZ303QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

if so you can save yourself a bit of cash

77'911

I've used a Branick and found it a pain to use. Personally, I like the OTC strut tamer(#6070A) much better. Its easier to set up and use, especially on smaller springs(and safer!). After knowing of a person who lost his life changing out a set of springs on a 944(spring let go into his face, not pretty!), I won't fool around with cheap compressors anymore.
The problem with the smaller clam shell type otc unit is that it is more difficult to use on smaller springs, sometimes won't work on them. Its still hands down better and safer then some of cheap Autozone clamping set-ups. Stock springs are not too bad to compress, but you get a set of race springs and thats another story.

UberDave

swapped out my springs last year. I was sweating big time, the compressors screws started bending by the time I got to the last spring, scared the **** out of me. I tossed them in the trash when I was done.

It's hard to justify a unit like the one you're looking at just to work on your own car, though. Try calling around to some of the tool rental places in your town, I hear some of them have the "good" spring compressors that you can rent. Don't get cheap ones, it's not worth a trip to the emergency room.

QuattroJay

buy the ones for 40 bucks at Sears safe and you can use an electric drill if needed

rickw

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/39821/rtizoom.jpg"></center><p>

RKA

That would be the one.

KMHPaladin

After Evan damn near killed himself with those cheap spring compressors, your compressor wins hands down.