Spring compressors

[RobbertCole]

Is there a particular reason people aren't just simply using spring compressors when installing leveling kits?

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[Mac]

IMO spring compressors are a pain to use and can be dangerous if not used correctly. The JT suspension is pretty easy to dismantle so the springs can simply be slid out, just disconnect the shocks and sway bar links and in some cases the brake line brackets and the axle will drop down enough to slide the springs right out.

 

[RobbertCole]

IMO spring compressors are a pain to use and can be dangerous if not used correctly. The JT suspension is pretty easy to dismantle so the springs can simply be slid out, just disconnect the shocks and sway bar links and in some cases the brake line brackets and the axle will drop down enough to slide the springs right out.

Sounds good, I was just wondering. Ive used them a fair amount on cars and it doesn't look like you have to compress the spring much at all. A spring compressor ( used by a competent person ) seems like a significantly shorter install, with less hassle.

 

[Renegade]

Sounds good, I was just wondering. Ive used them a fair amount on cars and it doesn't look like you have to compress the spring much at all. A spring compressor ( used by a competent person ) seems like a significantly shorter install, with less hassle.

It’s much easier to unbolt and loosen the necessary items rather than using a spring compressor on these.

 

[MPMB]

I wish someone would just make a ziptie that could hold 100# or more. It'd make life a bit more simple. :D

 

[RobbertCole]

It’s much easier to unbolt and loosen the necessary items rather than using a spring compressor on these.

How?
tighten two nuts on a compressor
loosen two nuts on a compressor
vs
remove swaybar bolt
track bar bolt
brake bracket
axle actuator
breather hose
loosen control arm bolts
remove upper control arm heat shield
remove shock bolts
remove a few plastic clips
then reverse


why would you not just jack it up and compress the springs out and leave everything else alone.

 

[DankjeeP]

How?
tighten two nuts on a compressor
loosen two nuts on a compressor
vs
remove swaybar bolt
track bar bolt
brake bracket
axle actuator
breather hose
loosen control arm bolts
remove upper control arm heat shield
remove shock bolts
remove a few plastic clips
then reverse


why would you not just jack it up and compress the springs out and leave everything else alone.

As @Mac said, if you are not comfortable using them, then do it the "normal" way. I don't have much experience with them but when I did try one it was a little unruly and I was not confident it was all that safe. But by all means if you have more experience with them then go for it.

 

[u-joint]

I guess this is just different strokes for different folks, but IMHO for something like a spacer lift a spring compressor on a Jeep is easy as pie.

 

[RobbertCole]

I guess this is just different strokes for different folks, but IMHO for something like a spacer lift a spring compressor on a Jeep is easy as pie.

Yeah, its such a tall soft spring I cant wrap my head around why anyone would go through the trouble of not using one. I figured there must be a reason but it appears there is not.

 

[Jaydebe]

Coming from the car world and struts; I used to use spring compressors daily to replace struts, etc.

I've thought a similar thing; but instead of just a using a spring compressor, take advantage of disconnecting the shock to minimize the need for a full compression with a compressor, slide in the puck and go.

 

[BamaJeepTruck]

I have spring compressors, It took longer on the one side that I used the compressors for. The time wrenching the compressors on each side of the spring and compressing just wasn't worth the squeeze especially when you then have to compress the new spring if changing them like I did on the Rubicon suspension swap. Without the added time of the new spring if you are just putting in pucks its probably close in time, but there's much less danger doing it without it. In my early days turning wrenches I nearly was seriously injured when the pot metal of a cheap Chinese set broke under the load of a SVT contour coil. Snapped the hooks right off the top and all that energy coming out was impressive to behold, we were lucky no one was touching it when it happened.

 

[Renegade]

How?
tighten two nuts on a compressor
loosen two nuts on a compressor
vs
remove swaybar bolt
track bar bolt
brake bracket
axle actuator
breather hose
loosen control arm bolts
remove upper control arm heat shield
remove shock bolts
remove a few plastic clips
then reverse


why would you not just jack it up and compress the springs out and leave everything else alone.

I've done Jeep suspensions both ways, and I've done multiple JL/JT suspension swaps, and know that I am faster NOT using a spring compressor. You still would need to at least loosen the control arm and track bar bolts to do it correctly, even when using a spring compressor. Have you used a spring compressor on a JK or newer Wrangler? The threaded rods always got in the way of other components when removing and installing the springs, so I quit using them several years ago when doing it. They are necessary when working with struts, but not with shocks.

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