Has anybody else had trouble getting their springs on the shocks. So far I've tried 2 different sets of spring clamps, neither of which are thin enough to get between the coils.

Anybody in the Sheffield area got a thin set that I could pop over and use?

Any ideas?

thanks

Andrew

if you put a load of zip-ties on the springs (each covering 2-3 coils) compress the spring and tighten the zipties while it's compressed, then slowly take your weight (or whatever you used to compress it) off of the spring, you should be able to get enough compression to fit the springs

of course, goggles, gloves and flak jacket are reccomended

[Edited on 14/3/04 by Staple balls]

I might give that a try, the springs don't need to be compressed that much, but it's still 200lb's that is needed.

Hmmmm

as a last resort you could use a couple of jubilee clips with some rubber to protect the paint on the coils, position them a coil or two in from either end and job done...



cheers

Mal

my (aaparently bad reputation) zeemers springs fot without a struggle.

if you use zip ties, the really big ones might do it.....just. I have some, so if you get desperate I could slip a couple in a bag.

wether they can compress to 150lbs or whatever is summat else!

atb

steve

they can compress 150lbs, but they can *just* hold it

Don't try this at home, but I know a sports car specialist who compresses the springs under his workshop car lift, puts some really big zip ties on the springs then fits then to the shocks

Just don't stand too close to this lot !!

Badger, you've probably got a welder have you ?
Make your own out of a length of threaded bar with a fixed hook on one end and a moveable one at the other, adjusted by a nut on the back of it.
I can post u a sketch if you like ?
HTH
Rick

if you are only compressing the springs a very small amount (1/4 inch say) i can see the use of tyraps/zip ties as good, but lets remember thats 150 lbs of force for each inch of compression, all sounds very dangerous, and not really something that should be recomended, eye protection is a must!!!.
if only 1/4 inch thats around 32/33 lbs, might be ok.
i personally wouldnt trust a small piece of plastic (some tyraps are metal).
jubilee clips sound safer!!

except that I can reguarly strip jubilees by overtightening them!

I wouldnt tust em to compress a spring either!

atb

steve

I think I'd certainly prefer not to use something that might snap. I've used 2 different sets of spring clamps, the issue is the gap between the coils is quite small and the hook part of the spring clamps don't fit through.

So it looks like I'll have to make some unless somebody close by has some that have proven to work?

Hi

I used luggage straps from machine mart, got a friend to stand on them as i did them up

Adrian

that sounds like a plan.

my local tool stall in the market sells em cheap - you neednt go to machine mart to get em. They ratchet up too....


atb

steve

I know folks who squeeze them with a spring compressor, then bind them with standard strapping (the stuff you tie things to pallet with) It comes in both steel and plastic, either should do the trick though the steel will likely scratch the finish. Any industrial shipping department will likely have a strapping kit. They use a ratchety thing to tighten the strap and you clich a metal binder (or two for insurance) over the strap to fix it.

Much stronger and lower profile than a big zip tie.

I'd concur with Stephen, jubilee clamps are sh*te you can strip them easily with a screwdriver so I don't think they can be trusted to hold any meaningful strain.

Cheers, Ted

Finally I've manage it. I bought a pair of coil spring compressors from my local motor factors that have a pair of flat hooks rather than a single fat hook. Work great.

I've now got the first corner with a shock on.

Question - should I use washers on the outside of the bracket or not? I've put some washers on the inside as packers to stop the top mount moving, but wondered if it was worth doing on the outside?

Andrew