96 front springs/struts help

[brianteel]

i am trying to do the struts. i got the spring off and cant get it to recompress. i am using a spring compressor tool. anyone have some tips on how to do it

[MonteCarloChick]

Wait.. you took the compressor off after removing the strut?

 

<-- confused

[DiscoStudd]

Are you using a "Front Strut" spring compressor? The spring compressor for the front springs actually has 2 "compressors" (place them across the spring from each-other.) I remember the first time I changed struts, my friend assured me he had a spring compressor, but it turned out what he had was a single piece unit that only worked on rear coil springs (or coils without struts running through the middle.) Needless to say, we had a bitch of a time trying to compress the spring when trying to get it back together (we got the spring off just fine with the wrong compressor...)

[brianteel]

i have the 2 pieces the issue is clearing the plate and then the mount. I took it off because i only had to loops of the spring and you need 3

[Guest TurboSedan]

i've had the same problem regarding clearing the lower plate and the upper mount. it seems you need to place both compressors in exactly the right place just to get them to work, while still keeping them opposed 180* from each other. try to get the compressor hooks as far out on the spring as possible; IOW compress as much of the coils as you can and not just the inner 3 coils. good luck

[brianteel]

so the right way to do it is to buy the GM strut tool and pull it up through the top whil the car is still on the ground....

[Guest TurboSedan]

are you just trying to replace the strut cartridges? if that's the case then leave the strut in place and get the W-body strut tool so you can pull the cartridge out through the top. i figured maybe you were going to '95+ brakes or something.

[brianteel]

nope....i was being dumb

[GnatGoSplat]

I once accidentally let the spring pop out of place while doing the struts. I ended up needing 2 pair of spring compressors to get the spring compressed enough to fit. One set to compress the spring as far as it would go, another set to compress it even more. I do NOT recommend this method for safety reasons, but just letting you know it worked for me.