Spring compressor

[thejpster]

Can anyone explain why the proper front spring compressor is so incredibly expensive?

I looked at renting one but I'll never get the springs off and back on again inside a week (or even a month), so even that will cost me £130.

[Brakebuster]

Can anyone explain why the proper front spring compressor is so incredibly expensive?

I looked at renting one but I'll never get the springs off and back on again inside a week (or even a month), so even that will cost me £130.

because it will save your life by preventing a spring burring its self in your head .....simples


some things just cost money........

BB

[robv12]

lots has been said here in the past re spring removal, some good , some bad, my advice pay the money for the correct tool, as BB says better safe than sorry, do not skimp or try any of the other dodges spoken about

your 300 will to be high up in the air to get the bar of the compressor in from underneath, once you have that bit done, spring removal is easy, just ensure the compressor is correctly located in the top of the subframe to ensure it will not pull out and cause mayhem and injury

you should get the swap done easily in a day, if not speak to Annie Jenkins ar JEC Tool Hire and see if you sort out a deal, say over the Xmas New Year break, and keep the item for two weekends. Annie usually sends tools out on a Thursday, so you get at least one weeknd to o the work

hope this helps

[Brakebuster]

in an addition to my previous comment, which i stand by....

if your 300 series car is like my X308 , i did mine myself with a tool i ' made ' , this is documented on the site, and a safety debate ensued , quite rightly , as to carry out the job yourself and accept the risk is different to telling someone else how do do it in the same way , as your telling them to do it dangerously ,

the big problem with lowering the bottom wishbone is that it comes down in a arc , and so the spring is bent out of shape on the way down , and under compression on the way back up , controlling this stored energy is the dangerous part and where it can all go wrong ,

the special tool ensures a firm location of the tool in the top of the turret , the tool also pivots allowing the angled movement when carrying out the work , and finally the tool is made of the correct strength material to ensure it is safe

so , accept the cost, work safe and live to drive the car another day

BB

[thejpster]

I do value using a tool appropriately designed and rated for the job at hand. I just felt £337 seemed a little bit on the steep side for a metre of Acme threaded high-tensile steel rod and a spring cup. What do I know. Does that include VAT by the way? I couldn't see anything on the website that said whether it was inc or ex.

As time is limited and only available in small chunks, the plan was to remove everything we could, order replacements or refurbish as required (I saw some nice black epoxy mastic at the NEC show) and then re-assemble at a later date. With Christmas and two impending house moves in the family I can see it spending at least a month without any front suspension. Lifting it high enough won't be an issue.

I did call the other week, but the chap told me Annie wasn't around. I might try again and see what sort of deal she'll do on an extended loan.

SPX do claim to sell one for about £100, but they won't have any in stock until mid-January and you have to jump through hoops to place an order.

[thejpster]

Well, it turns out it's possible to remove the springs without a spring compressor.

We'll definitely have to hire / buy one to put them back though, but that won't be until the new year.

[robv12]

removal without a compressor, do tell

[thejpster]

It requires the car to weigh more than the springs can lift and a jacking beam with a very gradual release.

[ecosselynx]

Hi

PLEASE, PLEASE think clearly about what your suggesting. The spring compressor not only removes the load gradually, but also acts as a retainer. At no time during the removal or installation can the spring escape.

[robv12]

I have to agree, we have had this discussion on here before, which has caused some angst, we cannot agree or condone your suggestion, it is dangerous, the spring can still escape and cause injury or worse, USE THE CORRECT TOOL

[dhdove]

"I have to agree, we have had this discussion on here before, which has caused some angst,"

I seem to remember the incident...........

I' ll just add my agreement to those above, please don't risk it.
If it works you'll save a few quid.
If it doesn't........well, it really doesn't bear thinking about.

Regards
TonyS

[robv12]

hand.jpg

(8.67KiB)Downloaded 1405 times

this is a minor injury when a spring lets go, imagine this in your face or on the back of your head, USE THE CORRECT TOOLS

hire them here

http://www.jec.org.uk/shop/99810/suspen ... front.html

just £40.00 per hire

Rob

[thejpster]

I have been in contact with SPX with regard to purchasing a spring compressor. I don't know if they supply them to Jaguar but they certainly look like the official item and they quote the Jaguar part no on their webpage. This was back in December and they said they were on back-order and would ring us when they came back in to stock.

http://www.spxtools-shop.com/jlr/produc ... p3278.html

The other day, much to my surprise, one turned up in the post. I assume an invoice will follow, despite us never actually agreeing to buy one (due to the long lead time).

With the rotating gimbal for the spring pan and the beautiful action of the handle up and down the thread, it's a nice bit of kit, if a bit bloody heavy. It's also considerably cheaper than buying it through Jaguar, although you have to jump through hoops to place an order as they only really deal with garages.

I'll see if I can get some pictures in case anyone would like to compare it to a Jaguar supplied compressor.

Edit: The £40 per hire quoted above for the JEC one sadly doesn't include the £24 return postage...

[ecosselynx]

Hi

From what I can make out, the bottom end look similar to mine, although the top end in using a pin as a retainer, where mine uses a collet system.

[thejpster]

Have you got a picture? The one on the JEC website is fairly small.