[david]

Just depends on your car if you can get free repair guides or not.
Have to check around online.

two examples:
for my lastest ride, the infiniti G20, i have the FSM posted online if just register at nicoclub.com.
(and looks like you can get most if not all Nissan cars, maybe they have up to a certain year model, i have not checked)
for my other car, i don’t have FSM but i have a whole website dedicated to Ford Escorts.
And the help there is genuine and non-judgmental and from practical experience.

Wish all cars had their specific sites but that would be much to wishful thinking.
Having just gone thru a car hunt recently, i actually start looking for car sites to check for available information before i buy a used car now.
And with ETCG … well, ya got a virtual road map here for Honda/Acura?

AND like you said, maybe you just gotta be lucky. 7 bux … hard to beat. :pinch:

[david]

Woohoo! Made in TAIWAN! (non-communist China)

[david]

Woohoo! Made in TAIWAN! (non-communist China)

[david]

How much did you pay for it? Curious what ball park pricing for these are at.
Looks like you got it at a pawn shop?
Which is where i would go shop for this as i am only DIY.
Thanks,

[david]

How much did you pay for it? Curious what ball park pricing for these are at.
Looks like you got it at a pawn shop?
Which is where i would go shop for this as i am only DIY.
Thanks,

[david]

Hi matthewross1987,

Does it work well?
How does the wear and tear look after use?

I got the cheaper version of this, similar in build from Harbor Freight.
The Harbor Freight one is lankier due to lack of that half moon support surface at the pass through compression arm.
The one in your link looks to be of stronger design, though cannot really tell if there is enough play on at least two arms so that the clamshell can fit a graduated spring.

just sharing my 2 cents.

[quote=”matthewross1987″ post=87347]As a do-it-yourselfer, I’m always looking for ways to fix things myself to save some money (and have fun). I felt that changing my own front struts was within my abilities, so I decided to tackle it. However, I came across a problem when I went to buy a tool to help me do it. I only knew of two styles of coil spring compressor tools:

1. I could buy the $50 rod-type spring compressors that Eric uses in his videos. The problem is I don’t think these are safe because they could slide and cause the spring to smash my face in.

2. I could buy the heavy duty spring compressor machines that pros use, which are totally safe. One problem is that they are huge and need a lot of floor space in a garage. Another problem is that they cost $500 or more. This is way out of my budget.

Then I came across a tool that solved my problem. It is called the OTC Clamshell Strut Spring Compressor (OTC 6494 is the tool number). LINK TO TOOL ON AMAZON

The tool is $140, which is more expensive than the rod-type. But it’s totally worth the money. It’s built in the USA, made of heavy duty materials, and the design is way safer than the rod-type. I changed my front struts this weekend, and I felt very safe.

Some of you may know about this style already, but since I didn’t at first I thought it might be helpful to share.[/quote]

[david]

Hi matthewross1987,

Does it work well?
How does the wear and tear look after use?

I got the cheaper version of this, similar in build from Harbor Freight.
The Harbor Freight one is lankier due to lack of that half moon support surface at the pass through compression arm.
The one in your link looks to be of stronger design, though cannot really tell if there is enough play on at least two arms so that the clamshell can fit a graduated spring.

just sharing my 2 cents.

[quote=”matthewross1987″ post=87347]As a do-it-yourselfer, I’m always looking for ways to fix things myself to save some money (and have fun). I felt that changing my own front struts was within my abilities, so I decided to tackle it. However, I came across a problem when I went to buy a tool to help me do it. I only knew of two styles of coil spring compressor tools:

1. I could buy the $50 rod-type spring compressors that Eric uses in his videos. The problem is I don’t think these are safe because they could slide and cause the spring to smash my face in.

2. I could buy the heavy duty spring compressor machines that pros use, which are totally safe. One problem is that they are huge and need a lot of floor space in a garage. Another problem is that they cost $500 or more. This is way out of my budget.

Then I came across a tool that solved my problem. It is called the OTC Clamshell Strut Spring Compressor (OTC 6494 is the tool number). LINK TO TOOL ON AMAZON

The tool is $140, which is more expensive than the rod-type. But it’s totally worth the money. It’s built in the USA, made of heavy duty materials, and the design is way safer than the rod-type. I changed my front struts this weekend, and I felt very safe.

Some of you may know about this style already, but since I didn’t at first I thought it might be helpful to share.[/quote]

[david]

Pittsburgh Single Action Spring Compressor.
Works – but not without issue.
generally safer than the typical two piece mcpherson strut compressors.

[david]

Pittsburgh Single Action Spring Compressor.
Works – but not without issue.
generally safer than the typical two piece mcpherson strut compressors.

[Author]

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