I'm thinking about new struts on my '95 850, Coil spring compressors have always made me nervous. See attached photo. I remember using some of these decades ago on an old Buick. could I use 4 of these and compress my springs enough to remove the old strut cartridge and replace? Seems like these would lock on securely, safely. Thoughts? thanks! Dave

 

generally you only have to use 2 of them, and they're safe. I'd use the regular size ones instead of the mini ones though. Just make sure that you tighten them down in steps: that is to say that you tighten one a little bit, then go to the other one and tighten it a little, then back to the first one, etc.

If you wanna go with something more heavy duty than that, be prepared to pay through the nose for it:

Branick Strut Spring Compressor

 

ibi- I like the $6.95 a set compressors personally. Even if I only used 3 of them I'd still only be dropping 14 bucks (2 packs)! D

 

or you could go to advance auto parts and rent them. Give them a deposit, take them home, use them, and bring them back. Net cost to you: free.

 

I like that price the best. It's easy to find the expensive solutions, more work to find the affordable ones...I think you and I are on the same page. :-) D

 

I got this one and think it's the bee's knee's. I feel much safer than using those others - without spending 700 bucks on a professional compressor.

Single Action Strut Spring Compressor

Yeah, it's 70 bucks, but I didn't worry about serious injury so it was worth it.

 

Don't cheap out on spring compressors; you may just make up for it at the ER..

And "safe" is a relative term; whatever you use always make sure the compressed spring is pointed away from you and anyone else standing around the work area. Yes, I've seen them let go and you don't want to be in its way!!

I 2nd ibified's suggestion to rent them; at least those should be somewhat professional grade.

 

The seventy dollar one is the next best one for doing this. The one that mounts on a wall (700?) is the easiest and safest one but it's way too expensive for someone who isn't doing them weekly at someone else's expense!

IMHO - Before you use the 14 dollar set that isn't designed to do the job I'd get the loaner from Advance, Oreilly or ..... and use a heavy duty tool that is designed to do what you're doing. It's free, it's easy and you're less likely to need someone to cut your meat for you since you'll be in a cast, well if you're still alive.