okay...I have a question here....I wanna remove the springs on my '94 F150. To do that, I need spring compressors, like a 140 dollar value. I got to thinking in the shop today, Could I maybe make hooks that are about 4-5 inches long, that are double hooked into a 'C' on either end, and jack up the suspension, then put these hooks into place on the compressed spring? Would that work, and how safe would it be? thanks!

 

sounds like trouble!!

Spring for the new compressors. HEHE

 

1994,

Try Canadian Tire. They lend stuff like that.

JMC

 

Similiar to JMCs post; a lot of the bigger auto parts stores have that equipment and will let you "check it out" with a fully refundable deposite upon return.

I would definatly look into this, otherwise you're just asking for trouble with a home-made contraption.

 

Well, my grandpa was an auto mechanic, and my dad was apprenticed to him. My dad WAS (didnt renew) an auto mechanic, a High pressure welder, and millwright, so he's very good at making things from scratch. His Names Jim Little, Maybe you know him? doubtful, but...(shrug) Anyway, he told me that if you made them strong enough, and measured according to the springs, that it was just as safe, if not safer than the compressors. He said that to make them really safe, they hooks have to bent almost right in, Just wide enough so that the thickness of the spring will fit inside the hook. I was wondering if anyone has ever done this before?

 

1994,

Why would we bother to go through all the trouble of fabricating a tool when we can get it for free. It I understand what you are trying to do is bind the coils using a [___] kind of hook. The only problem I can think of is that when you compress the coil there might not be enough space between the coils to slip your contraption on. When you compress a spring via your method of jacking, the coils get compressed evenly. The space between the coils will get progressively smaller to the point, maybe, that the hook will not fit. When you use a proper spring compressor only the coils between the compresser tool get compressed. If you have the expertize build a proper tool from scratch.

JMC

 

Have you checked here or here yet? Both of these places sell tools for reasonable prices.

 

You don't need spring compressors to remove the springs on that model truck.

Jack it up. Support it properly. Remove the wheel. Put jack under arm. Remove shock/shocks(dual).

I can't remember if the sway bar link needed to be removed but play that by ear. Remove spring retaining nut inside spring. If I remember it is 1 1/16" or 1 1/8" socket.

Lower jack. Pull spring out. SIMPLE.

MK

 

Just make SURE it's strong enough to hold! I bought a budget spring compressor from one of those "cheap tool outlets". Just when I got the spring compressed, the hooks broke off and the spring took off across the driveway. I will NEVER use another home made or "budget" spring comp. EVER again!!! I learned my lesson the hard way.,,,,98