Coil spring compressor near Tamworth?

[Rich_s]

Hi Guys,

I'm on the scrounge for a tool to borrow for a day, have bought new front dampers and spring tops as mine were abit old, thought i would clean and paint the springs and the suspension arms while i was at it as well as the anti roll bar. So today came, tool it all apart no problem at all apart from the bolts on the lower arms have been put through the bracket the wrong way while the bracket was off the car, so couldn't remove them as the nuts holding the brackets on was a bit seized, no problem i thought, just paint in situ and sort the rest out while its drying, so far so good.............

Managed to get a pair of coil spring compressors which are the hook type, put on the old spring and got it apart easy enough, cleaned / painted the spring and then can time to rebuild, 4hrs later i was ready to fit to the car.....

Those four hours i never wish to repeat, with the spring compressors on the damper would not fit up through the spring, so had to use ratchet straps to compress enough to get onto the car using the trunnion holes, then jack up enough to fit the top damper bolt, but still not enough so forced the spring compressors on, scratching all the paint in the process and eventually i got it all together, and then had to paint it all again. been a very tricky afternoon and don't wish to do it again as know using ratchet straps is a really bad idea, so heres the plee....

Does any one had a coil spring compressor that fits spitfire 1500 suspension properly that i could borrow for a day, and preferably lives near me (B78), really dont want to use the straps again but still got one spring to sort out.

thanks for any help,
Rich

on a plus side, my cars steering feels lighter, somehow, and the squeak at the front end has gone, so not a completely terrible day.

[CHRIS211083]

Ive got a set you can lend for price of postage? I had the same problem with the hooks not working. The funny thing is bought the tool and used it but then the car wasn't sitting low enough (herald springs i think).So i bought some uprated ones from moss and they fit on without compressing at all. Im now very happy with the ride height but  wont need these compressors ever again. You could buy them off me if you want? As i wont need them back???

[Rich_s]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reply, whereabouts are you, what type is the one you have as well and how heavy, thinking of postage cost, how much would you want for the tool as well.

thanks
rich

[CHRIS211083]

Hi, it cost me £40 + postage two months ago. Ill do it for you at £20+£5 postage and a beer if we ever meet. Its the correct type for all spit/ herald etc I got it from rimmers or canley's cant remember which but i used it twice....GUTTED....My loss your gain....... I can add photo's if your still not sure??? Cheers Chris.

[CHRIS211083]

Hi rich, take it you dont want this???

[Rich_s]

Hi Chris,

Sorry for the delay, not sure yet, a friend thinks he may be able to get his hands on one, just waiting to see but should know by tomorrow so will let you know.

thanks
rich

[Rich_s]

Hi Chris,

managed to borrow one off a friend, so much easier when you have the right tools, thanks again

rich

[CHRIS211083]

No probs mate, im sure some one else will need to borrow it at some point.