Harbor Freight Spring Compressor

**jmoore4294** · 06-29-2011

So I've got some lowering springs to install on my car. And a buddy of mine is in the process of saving up to get some for his car as well. And we were thinking of going in halves on this spring compressor from Harbor Freight. Anyone used one like this? Seems sturdier than the ones you can rent from AutoZone. I'd rather buy one than rent one in case the day comes when I need to use it again to demod or throw different springs on my car/someone else's car.

**BillBoost37** · 06-29-2011

I have used that style and have considered picking that up at HF before. It's a good looking deal.

**NegativeOne13** · 06-29-2011

Branick 7400 - Strut Spring Compressor - Wall Mount

I'd get one of those.... and is like 100% safer.

**jmoore4294** · 06-29-2011

HAHA....sorry, I don't have $600. Hence the HF one. I have used one similar to that one, but it was at the Auto shop in HS.

**BillBoost37** · 06-29-2011

wall mounted is the bomb. It's awesome

**sdavis11b** · 06-29-2011

It seems like a great investment.... if your swapping out springs every 3 months. I just rented one from Autobone.

**Pure2sin** · 06-29-2011

I bought that one from Harbor Freight and didn't like it at all. I ended up calling around and having a place assemble the struts for me. If you are only going to do it once it's not worth it to buy one. I didn't use mine and have not used it since.

**jmoore4294** · 06-29-2011

Originally Posted by Pure2sin

I bought that one from Harbor Freight and didn't like it at all. I ended up calling around and having a place assemble the struts for me. If you are only going to do it once it's not worth it to buy one. I didn't use mine and have not used it since.

Any particular reason you didn't like it? Cheaply made? Didn't compress the spring enough?

**Explicit_Spade** · 06-29-2011

I have this MacPherson Strut Coil Spring Compressor Set and it has worked great for me when using an impact. Takes about an hour and a half to do 4 struts and springs on a GP with it. I'd reccomend them.

**TheOtherNick** · 06-29-2011

Just rent one from the zone.

**Explicit_Spade** · 06-29-2011

$15 for the ones I posted or $75 to rent them, then waiting days for that to get back to your account...

**RegalGS98s** · 06-30-2011

Originally Posted by jmoore4294

So I've got some lowering springs to install on my car. And a buddy of mine is in the process of saving up to get some for his car as well. And we were thinking of going in halves on this spring compressor from Harbor Freight. Anyone used one like this? Seems sturdier than the ones you can rent from AutoZone. I'd rather buy one than rent one in case the day comes when I need to use it again to demod or throw different springs on my car/someone else's car.

I have this one. It's awesome sauce with an impact though it says not for use with one. Just don't go full blast with it and make sure to oil the threads. I used red Lucas synthetic grease from my grease gun. It works good with our stock springs, but with springs that have more coils in them like Honda's, I think it has clearance issues fitting between the coils. I got this for a lot less about a year ago. But still, right now it's $69.99 so use a 20% off coupon to get it for $56. And it works fast, takes me less than 5 minutes to change each strut. It definitely beats the MacPherson style spring compressors u rent at autozone. I own about every tool harbor freight sells, which my girl kinda hates, lol.

**sxar** · 06-30-2011

I have the PowerBuilt that O'Reilly lends out. They have worked good so far.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OC5QJS

**JoRoW99** · 06-30-2011

If you rent tools from o'reileys, you pay the deposit then get ALL the money back you put down when you return it...cash.

**matt5112** · 06-30-2011

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

$15 for the ones I posted or $75 to rent them, then waiting days for that to get back to your account...

Ever hear of cash or debit?

**sxar** · 07-01-2011

Originally Posted by JoRoW99

If you rent tools from o'reileys, you pay the deposit then get ALL the money back you put down when you return it...cash.

Yep, O'reillys just charges you the retail cost of the tool as a deposit. That way when someone doesn't return it, they didn't lose any money. Also, make sure you ask how long you can actually keep it. I believe it is usually only a 24 or 48 hour return window before they consider the tool 'bought'.

I liked how easy it was to use the spring compressor (and I had a few more vehicles I was going to help with) that I went online and bought it from Amazon.

**JoRoW99** · 07-01-2011

Yea my receipt said 48 hour rental.

**Abrasive** · 07-02-2011

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

I have this MacPherson Strut Coil Spring Compressor Set and it has worked great for me when using an impact. Takes about an hour and a half to do 4 struts and springs on a GP with it. I'd reccomend them.

I've got these as well. I've done numerous spring swaps for people with them with no problems. I caught them on sale for $10.

**codyAK** · 07-02-2011

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

$15 for the ones I posted or $75 to rent them, then waiting days for that to get back to your account...

$75 to rent, and 100% of that you get back.
Also whats it matter it doesn't hit your account for a couple days? You get it either way.

**copgtp** · 07-03-2011

Originally Posted by Abrasive

I've got these as well. I've done numerous spring swaps for people with them with no problems. I caught them on sale for $10.

X2, with an impact wrench these are the bomb!! Just be careful to compress them equally at intervals!! I.E.- don't max one out then work on the other on the same spring!