Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Defender => Topic started by: Timbob on August 16, 2007, 10:10:43

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Timbob on August 16, 2007, 10:10:43

Not having replaced springs before, does anyone know if standard halfords issue compressors will handle land rover springs, standard or lifted? And are the tools actually any good? Any reccomendations or advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Tim

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Range Rover Blues on August 16, 2007, 11:41:08

I've used normal 'car' compressors before and they do work, usual rules apply for safety though.

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: GREENI on August 16, 2007, 11:41:29

I bought mine from difflock.com !!! And yes, they are excellent...

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Timbob on August 16, 2007, 13:12:35

Thanks, i was a wondering, wouldnt be the first time ive gone home with something unsuitable

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Xtremeteam on August 16, 2007, 13:42:41

? never had to use spring compressors on a defender unless it had anti roll bars

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Timbob on August 16, 2007, 15:02:01

so i may not need them atall? That would save a few quid.

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: muck_truck on August 16, 2007, 16:02:00

if your defender doesnt have anti roll bars you wont need them.

Just take the wheel off then jack the body up, the axles will drop low enough for you to easilly remove the springs.  May need to fiddle a bit more at the front but they will come out.

or you could park on a uneven surface and jobs done for you.
(http://www.muckytruckin.co.uk/pages/gallery/lakes/aug07/Large/Lakes%20074.jpg)

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Timbob on August 16, 2007, 17:05:48

if anti roll bars are not standard fitment then i dont suppose it will have them. I shall have a look. Thanks

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Xtremeteam on August 16, 2007, 18:21:05

Or you can do this (http://members.mud-club.com/galleryimages/8150e1142e7d6cf500623a74dc905aca.JPG)
or this (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Kevinsharp/mike90003.jpg)

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Timbob on August 17, 2007, 09:29:35

cunning, where did i leave my forklift?

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Litch on August 17, 2007, 20:50:11

Never had to use spring compressors on a LR.

Like already stated, jack up the vehicle & support the chassis on axle-stands, remove the wheels and lower the axle using a trolly jack as support (watch the brake lines). The spring will pop out, clean up area and fit the new one.
Rears are usually very quick to do, fronts can take an hour or more if the shock threads are siezed but a pair of stilsons on the shock body soon sorts them out.


Goes without saying that new fixings should be used, worth checking what your turrets are like as well before you dismantle.
Are you replacing the shocks as well? The stilson trick isn't too handy if you aren't as it doesn't do the shock any good!
Remember to apply plenty of grease to the threads of the shock to prevent seizure in the future. I had to remove my fronts a long time after fitting and the use of plenty of grease meant they came off a breeze.

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Timbob on August 17, 2007, 21:38:49

yup, shockers too. May as well replace the whole lot since it has to come off. Should buy shares in Paddocks at this rate.

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Guardian. on August 19, 2007, 20:10:36

but should you choose to use compresors, yes halfords ones work fine.
found it a bit easier to get the new longer ones in with them, but can be done without.

Title: Coil Spring Compressors
Post by: Saffy on August 20, 2007, 07:45:30

Never needed compressors when I changed all the springs on my 110 CSW for standard height heavy duty springs. Anti-roll bar was fitted to the rear at the time and did not create a problem.