1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: Introduction - tacoma newbie and some questions :) DIY LCA Bushing Removal and Replacement 2005+ Tacoma (4x4) The Easy Way! Rear suspension help QSA 4" Lift Spindles Total Chaos UCA retrofit with Icon Delta Joint Questions Regarding Upgrading Suspensions!

strut spring compressors

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by CVYota, Oct 15, 2011.

  1. Oct 15, 2011 at 9:54 PM
    #1
    CVYota

    #1
    CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2009
    Member:
    #22686
    Messages:
    9,314
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    Crescenta Valley
    Vehicle:
    2011 DCLB V6 4WD
    Extended front 2.5 Icons. LR UCAs, Dakar Leaf Springs, rear King Smooth 2.5 w/res , Softopper, 285/75-16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with kevlar,16x8 SCS wheels 4.5 bs, Brute Force Rear bumper, 4x4 switch led, Diff Breather mod, weathertechs, Pelfrybilt front bumper, IFS and mid skids, B.A.M.F rear diff armor, LCA armor, Light bar mount and Sliders, Homer grill, Andres Devil horns, LED light bar, gauge pod with dual battery gauge and ecometer. Dual battery.
    Not sure if I should trust the small spring compressors I could borrow from the local auto store. And the shops all want about $100 to assemble the springs/Struts. Found 2 choices on line (I stay away from Harbor Frieght, it is all cheap Chinese built poor quality). For $129:

    [​IMG]


    Needs to be mounted on the bench, assemble the spring/shock together then compress.

    Or:
    [​IMG]
    OTC 6494 Clamshell Strut Spring Compressor

    $154 Portable, well made, but more expensive and best used with an air tool. You can compress the spring, and leave it compressed while you swap out the shock.

    Anyone used these?

     
    CVYota, Oct 15, 2011
    #1
  2. Oct 16, 2011 at 8:50 AM
    #2
    CVYota

    #2
    CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2009
    Member:
    #22686
    Messages:
    9,314
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    Crescenta Valley
    Vehicle:
    2011 DCLB V6 4WD
    Extended front 2.5 Icons. LR UCAs, Dakar Leaf Springs, rear King Smooth 2.5 w/res , Softopper, 285/75-16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with kevlar,16x8 SCS wheels 4.5 bs, Brute Force Rear bumper, 4x4 switch led, Diff Breather mod, weathertechs, Pelfrybilt front bumper, IFS and mid skids, B.A.M.F rear diff armor, LCA armor, Light bar mount and Sliders, Homer grill, Andres Devil horns, LED light bar, gauge pod with dual battery gauge and ecometer. Dual battery.
    CVYota, Oct 16, 2011
    #2
  3. Oct 16, 2011 at 8:52 AM
    #3
    johnw

    #3
    johnw Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2009
    Member:
    #17381
    Messages:
    7,187
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    john
    orlando florida
    Vehicle:
    06 prerunner v-6 4.0L 4 door
    well you asked for specs..... 06 trd sport speedway blue 5.3l v8 4.0 camburg lift spindles extended travel icons total chaos lowers allpro 4" leaf pack 17" xd hoss rims 37/12.5/17 mickey thompson baja atz Allpro hybrid bumper grill craft grill wicked flow muffler inside i have..... wet okole real tree camo seat cover blue oznium dome light stealth sub box with 2 10" kicker comp subs kicker 400 watt amp weathertech floor mats
    Haven't used either of those
     
    johnw, Oct 16, 2011
    #3
  4. Oct 16, 2011 at 1:25 PM
    #4
    CVYota

    #4
    CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2009
    Member:
    #22686
    Messages:
    9,314
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    Crescenta Valley
    Vehicle:
    2011 DCLB V6 4WD
    Extended front 2.5 Icons. LR UCAs, Dakar Leaf Springs, rear King Smooth 2.5 w/res , Softopper, 285/75-16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with kevlar,16x8 SCS wheels 4.5 bs, Brute Force Rear bumper, 4x4 switch led, Diff Breather mod, weathertechs, Pelfrybilt front bumper, IFS and mid skids, B.A.M.F rear diff armor, LCA armor, Light bar mount and Sliders, Homer grill, Andres Devil horns, LED light bar, gauge pod with dual battery gauge and ecometer. Dual battery.
    Bump
     
    CVYota, Oct 16, 2011
    #4
  5. Oct 16, 2011 at 4:59 PM
    #5
    inesshell

    #5
    inesshell blah blah blah

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    Member:
    #60986
    Messages:
    7,166
    Vehicle:
    All stock Superwhite 10' AC
    i trust the auto zone ones. ive used them like 4 times to help people compress their springs and it hasn't exploded on me.
     
    inesshell, Oct 16, 2011
    #5
  6. Oct 16, 2011 at 5:03 PM
    #6
    cummins6speed

    #6
    cummins6speed Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2009
    Member:
    #12426
    Messages:
    1,809
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '05 4Runner Limited Edition
    Custom extended travel 2.5" King RR coilovers, 1.25" Camburg uniball uppers, homebuilt tube bumper
    I usually use the kragen/orielly or autozone ones. They work, I haven't been killed or injured, and they loan them for free
     
    cummins6speed, Oct 16, 2011
    #6
  7. Oct 16, 2011 at 5:06 PM
    #7
    CVYota

    #7
    CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2009
    Member:
    #22686
    Messages:
    9,314
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    Crescenta Valley
    Vehicle:
    2011 DCLB V6 4WD
    Extended front 2.5 Icons. LR UCAs, Dakar Leaf Springs, rear King Smooth 2.5 w/res , Softopper, 285/75-16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with kevlar,16x8 SCS wheels 4.5 bs, Brute Force Rear bumper, 4x4 switch led, Diff Breather mod, weathertechs, Pelfrybilt front bumper, IFS and mid skids, B.A.M.F rear diff armor, LCA armor, Light bar mount and Sliders, Homer grill, Andres Devil horns, LED light bar, gauge pod with dual battery gauge and ecometer. Dual battery.
    I saw they were free, it is a much better deal, OK i will save my money and go with those. TY
     
    CVYota, Oct 16, 2011
    #7
  8. Oct 16, 2011 at 5:09 PM
    #8
    S.B.

    #8
    S.B. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2009
    Member:
    #18838
    Messages:
    3,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    15 Taco
    LT, Glass, CBI Front bumper, NWTI Rear bumper, 35s
    I just helped a friend assembling and installing OME shocks with their 556 springs. We used the Oreily compressors and it scared the crap out of us. The bolts were bending really bad. It didn't break, but I wouldn't trust it again. It worked fine for the stock springs though.
     
    S.B., Oct 16, 2011
    #8
  9. Oct 16, 2011 at 5:09 PM
    #9
    tacomaman06

    #9
    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2007
    Member:
    #1475
    Messages:
    26,212
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    York,South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    '16 Tundra TRD Pro
    getting there....
    I have a clamshell type compressor........doesnt work good at all on the first or second gen springs. I've used the cheap ones from autozone without a problem tho.
     
    tacomaman06, Oct 16, 2011
    #9
  10. Oct 16, 2011 at 9:19 PM
    #10
    Anthony250

    #10
    Anthony250 Ex Fabricator

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2010
    Member:
    #44016
    Messages:
    3,772
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    Rialto CA
    Vehicle:
    99 Tacoma LT Prerunner
    LSK Race Kit, King Shocks, Methods, Glassworks, Baja Designs, Built by myself.
    Ive used the Orielly Strut compressor like 2 times with ease, no problems
     
    Anthony250, Oct 16, 2011
    #10
  11. Oct 16, 2011 at 9:25 PM
    #11
    4x4jeep

    #11
    4x4jeep Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Member:
    #29180
    Messages:
    1,031
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kyle
    Destin FL.
    I just used the Autozone ones for free
     
    4x4jeep, Oct 16, 2011
    #11

Products Discussed in

OTC Clamshell Strut Spring Compressor - 6494
$280.54
To Top