As the title states I'm in need of a heavy duty coil spring compressor and wanted to see what everyone recommends or has had experience with. Preferably I'd like one that won't blow to pieces and kill anyone. I looked at the 'rentals' and they where all junk in my area; I wouldn't trust them to even compress OE coils. I also don't trust any of the idiot shops in my area to mess with my Kings.

Its going to be compressing off a set of King 18x700 coils (about 19" to 20" when off the shock, and right now are compressed on to 18-1/4" ); then used for compressing the new coils for preload adjustment (not the initial installation). Its compressing off the 18" springs that worries me, a lot..

I have been looking over the snap-on's, sear's and some other various brands on the net. I'm trying to avoid the harbor freight stuff because I have a feeling this is going to take a hell of a lot of force.

 

I have used a bunch of em and they all scare me to some degree, seeing that adjusting bolt bend and knowing the force that is on it...Yeesh! That being said, I would look for a wall mounted unit. The only problem is they are $700 ish new. Another Yeesh! So, when I do my buddie's and eventually my front Bilstein shocks, I will take the struts off and pay the shop the $20-$30 to remove and replace the coil springs.

 

I just picked up a craftsman one, for the amount I'll use it I think it should be okay. I have read the horror stories, and agree a wall-mount would be the safest option. I gave up on getting the super squeezed on 18" springs off without killing someone, the guys rebuilding the shocks will get to deal with them I just get to fork it out to ship near 45lb each shocks since the springs are still on.