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Old 06-15-2006, 01:51 PM   #1
83Rabbit
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Default Spring compressor to replace springs?

Do I need one to do the 2.5RS springs in my 94 L? I know with VWs you could use an impact to spin the top nut off and then compress the new assembly by hand enough to thread the top nut then tighten it the rest of the way, is this the case with Suby setups?
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Old 06-15-2006, 01:53 PM   #2
herewegoagain
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Yep. Rent a spring compressor from AutoZone and buy O-ratchet from Sears for the top nuts.
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Old 06-15-2006, 01:54 PM   #3
83Rabbit
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O-ratchet?
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Old 06-15-2006, 02:13 PM   #4
herewegoagain
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It's a ratchet with a hole in the middle so you can place a hex wrench inside to hold the strut still while you ratchet the nut off.
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Old 06-15-2006, 02:29 PM   #5
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Or just use an impact. for safety's sake use compressors to remove but in reality, they're not under much load, just a bit of a pop. You'll probably need them for the install though as the RS springs aren't very short and it can be a struggle to compress them by hand and get everything lined up properly.
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Old 06-15-2006, 02:34 PM   #6
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i did strut swaps in 2 subies last month (8 struts total)

trust me...the compressor will make things much easier.
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Old 06-15-2006, 03:04 PM   #7
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....it's always a good idea to use a spring compressor when dismantling the strut assembly. I'm not sure about your neck of the woods, but out here there are loan-a-tool programs in places such as Autozone if you don't want to buy/rent.
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Old 06-15-2006, 05:44 PM   #8
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Old 06-15-2006, 06:02 PM   #9
ick
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i have the crappy harbor freight ones and they're not much different than the ones that you get at auto zone. they're worth the $7, trust me.

front springs are a pain on my '06 without them. the rears, i probably could have done without them.
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Old 06-15-2006, 09:04 PM   #10
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Yeah, to be safe, i'd use the compressors on stock springs. now most aftermarket lowering springs are shorter in uncompressed height and you can do those by hand or having a friend push down on them while you work the top nut. i never have come across a set of aftermarket springs that needed a compressor. But oem ones usually do as they are compressed a few inches at least at full strut extension.

You'd probably want to use one both ways as you are working with two set of stock springs. i know for a fact it helps when removing/installing the stock RS springs (that i've done).

oh and get some cheap compressors at harbor freight if you've got one, i've used those for years now.
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Old 06-16-2006, 02:19 AM   #11
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Harbor freight ones work, but I find them tend to scratch up the springs where they grab. Maybe plastic/rubber dip the "hooks" on the spring compressors to protect a set of expensive springs.
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Old 06-16-2006, 10:14 AM   #12
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+1 for cheapo Harbor Freight spring compressors. I have the ones with the cast dual hook thingie. I ground the inside of the hooks down so they would fit the larger diameter Subaru springs better. They worked great. I was looking at spending more $$ on a clamshell type compressor, and I wa glad I didn't.
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Old 06-16-2006, 10:22 AM   #13
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Have done two spring/struts jobs on my car and never needed a spring compressor although I used one anyway for safety.
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Old 06-16-2006, 11:14 AM   #14
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i did a spring install this week on an 04 WRX, no spring compressor needed, but i can't say it's a bad idea just incase.
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Old 06-16-2006, 12:15 PM   #15
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definitely get the compressor. The one at the local autozone here was a beafy MFer. Made the re-install go much faster and easier. There isn't much tension on the springs but it is enough to make a 1 man install a PITA.
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Old 06-16-2006, 12:16 PM   #16
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and just for a safety standpoint its a good idea. regarldess if they are "needed" or not. I'd want full control over anything that can hold my 3000lb car up.
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Old 06-16-2006, 12:32 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaisersouse
and just for a safety standpoint its a good idea. regarldess if they are "needed" or not. I'd want full control over anything that can hold my 3000lb car up.
Oh yea. Reminded me of when I did my first spring install on my WRX. The top hat for the rear springs shot about 8 feet in the air when the locknut finally let go.
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Old 06-16-2006, 03:10 PM   #18
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8 ft in the air? the rears? erm, you have to be kidding. There is almost no preload on the rear springs. I never use compressors on the rears, for disassembly or assembly.
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Old 06-16-2006, 03:34 PM   #19
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Can't remember if it was the rears or the fronts... Definitely not kidding though.
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Old 06-16-2006, 03:52 PM   #20
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i found the preload on my rear springs was MUCH more than the fronts when I did mine. Had a bitch of a time getting the rear springs torqued down enough to get them on the new struts.
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Old 06-16-2006, 04:07 PM   #21
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About the spring compressor, don't go for the barbor freight cheap ones. At least for me, they actually bent under the load of the spring, and were REAL difficult to remove off of the spring after that. The autozone ones are free to rent, and more importantly are much better quality...they'll save you time.
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Old 06-20-2006, 07:14 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herewegoagain
Yep. Rent a spring compressor from AutoZone and buy O-ratchet from Sears for the top nuts.

can't find an o-ratchet at sears.com. i can find one thru Candian Tire and gearwrench makes one. u have any other leads?
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Old 06-21-2006, 07:55 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxologist
can't find an o-ratchet at sears.com. i can find one thru Candian Tire and gearwrench makes one. u have any other leads?
the hex is just to keep the piston from spinning when you tighten it. Some people have used things like rubber inner tubing, split hoe and dish washing gloves to hold the piston when tightening. You can easily figure something out.

EDIT: erm I mean split hoSe. Splitting hoes is bad. Ruins them for the next guy

Last edited by kaisersouse; 06-21-2006 at 08:01 AM.
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Old 06-21-2006, 08:05 AM   #24
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The stock '06 WRX front springs, a compressor should be used when disassembling - there's enough preload there to make it a dangerous situation not to use them. The rear is not so bad.

On the install, I didn't need a compressor with the Prodrive springs. In fact, the front springs are so short that they were still loose after I tightened the strut shaft nut.

When I ditched the Prodrives for a set of SPT Pinks, I needed a compressor to assemble the Pinks as they are nearly the same height as the stock springs. If I had a helper to push down on the top hat to catch the strut shaft nut, I could have done it without spring compressors.
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Old 06-21-2006, 02:39 PM   #25
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I just got the HF spring compressor ($7) and the Go-Thru socket set ($27). They look like they will work just fine. Just make sure you tighten down the spring compressor evenly and you shouldn't have any problems with them bending, though the last set I rented from Kragen could have been a bit beefier than the HF set, but for $7 you can't lose. I was actually surprised by the quality of the Go-Thru socket set, I don't expect much from HF tools because of their price.

Spring Compressor
Go-Thru Socket Set

Alternatively, you can get the ~$45 GearWrench socket set from Sears. You can't get the cheaper set because it doesn't have a 19mm socket.
Gear Wrench 49 pc. GearRatchet Set

Sears also has a spring compressor which looks just like the ones I rented from Kragens for $50:
Craftsman Strut Spring Compressor Tool with Built-In Safety Pins

I'm going to use the HF tools to swap in SPT pinks in place of my Eibachs once I get some 04+ rear struts/tophats.
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