KONI Yellows: seeking spring compressor recommendations

dAvenue · 01-11-2012, 01:53 PM

Hey everyone.

Late last week, I ordered a set of Koni's from TireRack that were delivered to me earlier this week. I am very excited to get them installed, but I am in need of a spring compressor. I placed an order for some other tools to help get the job done (pending delivery): 1/2 in. drive breaker bar, socket set and torque wrench.

There are a lot of spring compressors available online, but it's hard to know which one will be the best for our Z car. I'm aiming to spend less than $50 but still get a quality product. I've combed through the forum as part of my due diligence but my quest did not bear much fruit. So now I come to you and ask for your expertise.

If you own a spring compressor or used one before in the past on your Z, please share your experience and/or recommendation. All thoughts and suggestions are also welcome.

I'm posting a pic of the Koni's because I'd be lying if I didn't (somatic).

scionide · 01-11-2012, 02:08 PM

I just rented one from autozone before, I think it was about a $50 deposit, return it when you're done and get your money back.

kenchan · 01-11-2012, 02:10 PM

davenue- awesome!

yah, you can go to harbor freight and get one for like $20 but as scion mentioned, you can rent one too.

if you decide to buy one, get one that is low profile. i have a pretty chunky one that ive been using the last 10yrs or so. it works fine but at times i can't get the clamp between the coils without scuffing them up.

kenchan · 01-11-2012, 02:19 PM

next time around i would get something like this:

MacPherson Strut Coil Spring Compressor Set

opposed to something like i currently have. you can see that the blocky rectangular
shoulder on the opposite side of the coil holder curve can get in the way between
the coils.

make sure to wear safety goggles and work gloves. be safe!

TypeOne · 01-11-2012, 02:27 PM

Since you have eibach springs, I would use the first one Kenchan posted. Otherwise you will have a hard time getting the compressor on and off the spring.

kenchan · 01-11-2012, 02:35 PM

haha, typeone also speaks from actual experience.

if i was doing car mods as i was before i had kids i would get the table top/wall mountable one.

do a few local buddie's' cars for $50 each and it will pay for itself in no time.

dAvenue · 01-11-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scionide

I just rented one from autozone before, I think it was about a $50 deposit, return it when you're done and get your money back.

Cool...I didn't know they offered this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

davenue- awesome!

yah, you can go to harbor freight and get one for like $20 but as scion mentioned, you can rent one too.

if you decide to buy one, get one that is low profile. i have a pretty chunky one that ive been using the last 10yrs or so. it works fine but at times i can't get the clamp between the coils without scuffing them up.

I'm interested in buying one for sure. I'm going to shoot for the low profile idea (great feedback btw) and buy the Harbor Freight compressor. I tried repping you for this but I gots to spread it around first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TypeOne

Since you have eibach springs, I would use the first one Kenchan posted. Otherwise you will have a hard time getting the compressor on and off the spring.

Good stuff. This just what I needed to know and confirmed it for me. I've been studying your DIY for like a week now and plan on using it to install these bad boys.

Thanks for the quality feedback, guys. I really appreciate it. After I get these babies installed, I'll post up the experience for all to see.

kenchan · 01-11-2012, 03:32 PM

^^

GL with the install.

Alchemy · 01-16-2012, 06:22 PM

Yeah, just hit up Autozone. Congrats on the yellows man, Im totally jelly. Let us know how they ride when you get them in!

onzedge · 01-17-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dAvenue

Hey everyone.

Late last week, I ordered a set of Koni's from TireRack that were delivered to me earlier this week. I am very excited to get them installed, but I am in need of a spring compressor. I placed an order for some other tools to help get the job done (pending delivery): 1/2 in. drive breaker bar, socket set and torque wrench.

There are a lot of spring compressors available online, but it's hard to know which one will be the best for our Z car. I'm aiming to spend less than $50 but still get a quality product. I've combed through the forum as part of my due diligence but my quest did not bear much fruit. So now I come to you and ask for your expertise.

If you own a spring compressor or used one before in the past on your Z, please share your experience and/or recommendation. All thoughts and suggestions are also welcome.

I'm posting a pic of the Koni's because I'd be lying if I didn't (somatic).

Koni FTW.

kenchan · 01-17-2012, 11:34 AM

dAvenue- have you installed these yet?

Mike · 01-17-2012, 11:41 AM

I would just take the strut off, go to an alignment/tire shop and have them swap them out. It should be less than $50 and save a ton of time.

dAvenue · 01-17-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alchemy

Yeah, just hit up Autozone. Congrats on the yellows man, Im totally jelly. Let us know how they ride when you get them in!

Will do, buddy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Koni FTW.

Indeed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

dAvenue- have you installed these yet?

Nope, not yet. The last order of tools are scheduled for delivery today. I'm going to start working on the install as soon as I can.

I should be able to work on it during the weeknights or, at the very latest, get it all done this weekend. I can't friggin wait! I mean, staring at the Koni's for a week while knowing I don't have the tools to begin the install has been brutal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I would just take the strut off, go to an alignment/tire shop and have them swap them out. It should be less than $50 and save a ton of time.

Well sunava beach. Did not think of that.

onzedge · 01-17-2012, 12:06 PM

Bring it out to Sacramento -- we have a nice wall-mounted spring compressor you can use.

kenchan · 01-17-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dAvenue

Nope, not yet. The last order of tools are scheduled for delivery today. I'm going to start working on the install as soon as I can.

I should be able to work on it during the weeknights or, at the very latest, get it all done this weekend. I can't friggin wait! I mean, staring at the Koni's for a week while knowing I don't have the tools to begin the install has been brutal.

hahaha.

so you have an impact gun/breaker bar and everything else? sockets, socket adapters, ratchet, etc?

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Bring it out to Sacramento -- we have a nice wall-mounted spring compressor you can use.

not only that mr. onzedge jr - ASE certified master-tech can do installs and alignment!

01-16-2012, 06:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Alchemy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jersey Age: 45 Posts: 4,855 Drives: to acquire tickets Rep Power: 3525	Yeah, just hit up Autozone. Congrats on the yellows man, Im totally jelly. Let us know how they ride when you get them in! __________________ Ryan 314WHP \| 260LB-FT \| STILLEN \| KONI \| SWIFT \| STOPTECH \| Z1 \| PROJECT MU \| CNT \| UPREV \| FORGESTAR \| BRIDGESTONE \| PWJDM \| ENEOS \| MOTUL

01-17-2012, 11:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2187	I would just take the strut off, go to an alignment/tire shop and have them swap them out. It should be less than $50 and save a ton of time. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

01-17-2012, 12:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 64 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684737	Bring it out to Sacramento -- we have a nice wall-mounted spring compressor you can use. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

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01-11-2012, 02:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
scionide Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: so-cal Posts: 436 Drives: 11 370z PW 6mt Rep Power: 15	I just rented one from autozone before, I think it was about a $50 deposit, return it when you're done and get your money back.

01-11-2012, 02:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	davenue- awesome! yah, you can go to harbor freight and get one for like $20 but as scion mentioned, you can rent one too. if you decide to buy one, get one that is low profile. i have a pretty chunky one that ive been using the last 10yrs or so. it works fine but at times i can't get the clamp between the coils without scuffing them up.

01-11-2012, 02:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	next time around i would get something like this: MacPherson Strut Coil Spring Compressor Set opposed to something like i currently have. you can see that the blocky rectangular shoulder on the opposite side of the coil holder curve can get in the way between the coils. make sure to wear safety goggles and work gloves. be safe!

01-11-2012, 02:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	Since you have eibach springs, I would use the first one Kenchan posted. Otherwise you will have a hard time getting the compressor on and off the spring.

01-11-2012, 02:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	haha, typeone also speaks from actual experience. if i was doing car mods as i was before i had kids i would get the table top/wall mountable one. do a few local buddie's' cars for $50 each and it will pay for itself in no time.

01-11-2012, 03:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	^^ GL with the install.

01-17-2012, 11:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	dAvenue- have you installed these yet?