suspension spring compressor ideas?

[Ian7]

Tried everything from Rube Goldberg to MacGuyver.... no luck.

 

Have dampers with fixed perches; trying to get the front springs compressed enough to slip in the top collars. Spring needs to be compressed more than 3" to install the collar, (maybe a 400 pound load?) but small spring diameter and tight coil spacing baffles most standard compressor tools.

 

ideas welcome

thanks

[ayseven]

Bike shock compressors, like on EBay? I have decided I won't take chances, and am taking mine into the motorbike shop again. I've seen pics of people using ratchet straps, but it seems a bit precarious to me.

[a.moore]

Never tried it myself but I've heard of people using a ton of zip-ties to compress the spring wind by wind.

[slngsht]

  a.moore said:

Never tried it myself but I've heard of people using a ton of zip-ties to compress the spring wind by wind.

 

 

If that can work, maybe you can try racheting straps??? have not tried myself...

[Ian7]

thanks; ratchet straps can't be made short enough, and the tie-wraps were suggested but the 400+ pound load makes me nervous; could do without a circular dent in my forehead LOL

[ayseven]

Or a hole where your eye used to be. I am known to be impatient, but I'm only partially mental.

[jlumba81]

He's a link of a bike spring compressor that might work, a bit pricy. I recommend using proper tools. I've used a sub standard spring compressor on a dodge caravan when I was an auto mechanic. Getting hit in the face w a spring isn't a pleasant experience, even a glancing blow off of safety glasses.

[Ian7]

thx, hopefully the local bike shop as previously suggested will have one.....

 

I'm sure we've all had a few close-calls in the garage that were funny back then, but have us thinking "hmmmm, that was close..." in our old age LOL

[bsimon]

10 or 15 parts of parachute cord on each side of the spring. It works like a block and tackle to multiply force to compress the spring. Not a good idea unless the spring wire has a smooth finish.

 

Old desert racing trick. A real tool would be better.(and safer)

[ayseven]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/130621041198?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_1244wt_949

 

I like this, and it looks safe enough, but obviously the ends need to fit on top of your spring, but not the clip. Don't see how modding this would be hard to do.

[slomove]

I have used long heavy duty hose clamps, 3 of them spaced 120 degrees and grabbing as many turns as possible. You could not compress a spring solid but enough to remove the shock (depending on your specific suspension). I did not snap one doing that but after using them 2 or 3 times the worm drives just don't work anymore. Is it safe? Don't know but worked for me.

Edited February 21, 2012 by slomove