spring compressor

[jeff jackson]

Hi list,
Does anyone know where, or who stocks a front suspension spring compressor?
I know that there have been some pictures on the forum of home made compressors, but I would like to be able to purchase some soon.
Regards
Jeff 72+2

[john.p.clegg]

Jeff
you're in the UK,if you're enywhere near the northwest(Glossop) you can use mine
John


"***@***.***" <***@***.***> wrote:
Hi list,
Does anyone know where, or who stocks a front suspension spring compressor?
I know that there have been some pictures on the forum of home made compressors, but I would like to be able to purchase some soon.
Regards
Jeff 72+2

[nebogipfel]

--- In ***@***.***, "Jeff@t..." <jeff.taylor-
jackson@t...> wrote:



Hi Jeff,

Yes I'm currently trying to devise a fiendish method to do
mine ......without luck so far!

If you are anywhere near Spyder they offer the service for I think
?15 +vat

Someone also suggested to me that a motorcycle workshop should have
a suitable compressor.

John

[BenL]

From: ***@***.***
Subject: spring compressor

Hi list,

Some autopart stores in the US will rent or loan tools, such as spring
compressors.

Any chance equivalent stores (Halfords?) will do the same thing?

----Ben

[john o]

Jeff - I just went through this. I looked at many options and searched the
archives. I tried to get some local shops to do it with no luck. I was
installing AVO adjustable shocks with threaded spring perches, but they
install the same as the stock ones. You have to compress the spring over
the shock so you can slide on the collet to retain it. The collet and
spring are almost, but not quite, the same OD, so it is possible to do this.
But I ended up having a steel plate machined and using threaded rods.
Worked like a champ. I don't think there are any good shortcuts.

John
66 Elan DHC S3
----- Original Message -----
From: "***@***.***" <***@***.***>

Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 8:28 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] spring compressor


Hi list,
Does anyone know where, or who stocks a front suspension spring compressor?
I know that there have been some pictures on the forum of home made
compressors, but I would like to be able to purchase some soon.
Regards
Jeff 72+2

[lotuselan2]

There is an ebay store that sells a great looking hydraulic unit for only
$81.75. It appears to come with two size collars and the smaller one looks
to be "our" size, but you best confirm with the seller. He calls unit
"Hydraulic Coil Spring Compressor" if you need to do a search.

The seller is "jln2001" in Sheboygan, WI. If anyone opts to buy it please
tell the board about it. I plan to buy one before my next spring/shock
change.
Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

[lotuselan2]

I am reposting this because I did not see it arrive in my inbox. I think
many of you will be interested.
-----Original Message-----
From: lotus [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 9:14 AM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] spring compressor


There is an ebay store that sells a great looking hydraulic unit for only
$81.75. It appears to come with two size collars and the smaller one looks
to be "our" size, but you best confirm with the seller. He calls unit
"Hydraulic Coil Spring Compressor" if you need to do a search.

The seller is "jln2001" in Sheboygan, WI. If anyone opts to buy it please
tell the board about it. I plan to buy one before my next spring/shock
change.
Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

[nebogipfel]

Hi All

My brother had a brainwave today and it worked as a method to
compress front springs to remove them.

Two old Ford (Escort Fiesta) wheel rims and threaded rod. We used
two lengths but four would be better.

The Ford wheel centres are just the right size for the top and
bottom of the unit and the threaded rods pass through the wheel stud
holes. What can I say ...... it may be a bit crude but it worked!
Certainly we took them apart with no effort.

Be generous with the length of the threaded rod. The springs when
uncompressed are surprisingly long

If you want to be really neat you could just cut the centres out of
the wheels

I suppose I should add a disclaimer. No responsibility accepted for
injury etc

John

[lotuselan2]

John
Heath would be proud of you!
Ken

[Lincoln62]

Jeff

You might try a motor bike shop. The front springs are not much bigger
than bike springs.

BTW I made my own crude spring compressor from a couple of long bolts
and some bits of steel. I'd lend it to you except I am in Australia.

Cheers
Peter
66S2
=======================================================
Unfortunately, I cannot find anyone who can fit the springs to the
dampers, and the man at Spyder laughed ( and then apologised) when I
asked how they were fitted. They will fit them for ?7.50 a

[richboyd]

John,

Lotus West had a version of this very same method in their Tech Manual,
circa 1972. The Tech Article specifies that you use "a stock Elan wheel,"
but doesn't say whether KO or bolt-on. And one wheel, not two - but the
thinking is the same as yours.
Reinventing the wheel, as they say.

Rich Boyd

At 10:52 AM 6/21/2004, you wrote:

[nebogipfel]

--- In ***@***.***, Rich Boyd <richboyd@r...> wrote:





Not sure how it would work with one wheel but interesting

As I say I think if you cut the centres out of the wheels and used
four threaded rods it would make quite a neat tool

John

[richboyd]

John,

The Lotus West tech article uses the wheel to hold the top end of the
shock, as you use one of your two wheels. A large diameter bolt is passed
through eye in the bottom end of the shock. The bolt is attached to two
long, modified threaded rods, which return down to the wheel again -
passing through the wheel with washers and nuts on the other side. The
threaded rods were modified by slotting one end and welding in a fender
washers. The large bolt that passes through the shock eye also passes
through the fender washers. If you tighten the nuts on the threaded rods,
the rods will pull the large bolt towards the wheel, thus compressing the
shock.

For my own use, I have found it easier to design and weld up custom
compressors. I have accumulated several variations for different specific
situations. I like fabricating jigs, so this is fun and creative work. I am
now making one to compress the front springs (slightly) while they are
mounted on the car (so that I can easily adjust the threaded spring-perch
collars).

Rich