I have a strut spring compressor that I used to installed some H&R springs last year and I'm in the process
of switching in the original springs (selling the car). I'm noticing that the compressor is hard to use
with the original springs. They are longer and flimsier than the H&R ones so they don't stay straight
when compressed. This wasn't a problem when taking them out but it's hard to align the mount cap
and struts like this.

Does anyone have any suggestions of how I can avoid this problem? I'm using one of those hand tools
that go on each side of the spring to compress. I really would love to use a real spring compressor
tool but they are all like $500.

Thanks.

jbum

 

You can rent a spring compressor from Vato Zone for 40$ and youll get your money back when you return it.

 

well, I do have a compressor. similar to the one you can rent from autozone. the only problem with trying to put the original oem springs back is that they are much longer than afermarket and tend to bend when you compress them unless you're very careful about centering the compressors constantly.

 

are u using 2 compressors? compressing the oem springs should real easy...

 

yes, one on each side. i agree, it was real easy when taking it off since i didn't care if the spring compressed straight/aligned. But when putting it back, i need fairly straight to put the strut and mount plates on.