If you are planning on doing any suspension work to your vehicle that involves removing coil springs, you will need a strut spring compressor. The purpose of this compression tool is to reduce the size of the springs so they can be easily removed.
The best strut spring compressor is the Performance Tool W89322 Professional, which will work with the majority of vehicle applications and is made from heavy duty forged steel for extended durability.
As the coil spring becomes compressed using a spring compressor, there is a serious amount of force. Many people describe this as a “ticking time bomb” and from a safety point of view, its crucial that you have a heavy duty tool for the job.
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Coil Spring Compressor Comparison
| Spring Compressor | Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Tool W89322 | Mid Range | 6.5 LBS |
| OTC 6494 | Mid Range | 19 LBS |
| Shankly | Mid Range | 7.0 LBS |
| Branick 7600 | Premium | 98 LBS |
| ABN 11.5 Inch | Budget | 8.0 LBS |
It is important that you go for a heavy duty strut spring compressor due to the amount of strain the spring is under. It is known for many lightweight and cheap versions to fail under the pressure and gradually release the tension.
There are many forms of spring compressors that can be used by the average car owner to professional mechanics. For those that plan to compress a spring from a large vehicle such as a SUV, it is recommended to buy a heavier duty compressor.
Spring strut compressors are an essential piece of machinery for any work you do that requires removing a coil spring. Below is a list of the best strut spring compressors that will ensure safety and provide an easy method of removing the spring.
The Best Strut Spring Compressor
1. Performance Tool W89322 Strut Spring Compressor
The Performance Tool W89322 is an affordable professional tool that is simple to use for the average car owner wanting to replace their coil springs. It will work with the majority of automotive cars and light trucks.
In terms of the features of the Performance Tool W89322, they include:
- Includes locking pins for additional safety
- Constructed using drop forged steel
- Replacement parts available from the brand
- Sold as a set with storage box
- Lifetime limited warranty
- Weighs 6.45 LBS
Overall, the Performance Tool W89322 is the best strut spring compressor as an all rounder that can be used both professional and by an amateur mechanic. It is simple and safe and ticks every box for what you want this type of tool to do.
Check it Out2. OTC 6494 Clamshell Coil Spring Compressor
The OTC 6494 is a strut spring compressor that has been designed for use with a impact wrench to make things that much more easier. In terms of the specification and features of the OTC 6494 Clamshell Strut Spring Compressor, they include:
- Locking pins to hold the compressor jaws in place
- Works with springs from 4 to 9 inch outer diameter
- Works with wire diameters of 7/16 to 11/16 inch
- No special adapter shoes required
- Weighs 19 LBS
Overall, the OTC 6494 Clamshell Coil Spring Compressor is a mid range device with particular features to making it easier to compress springs. You will be able to have good control with even pressure when compressing, which makes it safer to use.
Check it Out3. Shankly Spring Compressor Tool
Features of the Shankly Spring Compressor include:
- Capable of handing 1,000KG of pressure
- Universal with a wide jaw (23mm to 280mm)
- Strong and secure hooks to reduce slippage
- Uses a 19mm wrench or socket for compressing
- Hooks are thin for a easier setup
- Weighs 7 LBS
Many mechanics hate using spring compressors because they are known to be dangerous if not setup correctly. The Shankly features lower security jaws and adjustable safety bars to ensure maximum safety when working with suspension.
Overall, it is the best heavy duty coil spring compressor that is easy to use and works on much larger vehicles than the alternatives.
Check it Out4. Branick 7600 Professional Compressor
Using a coil spring compressor takes time and can go wrong from time to time and professionals will opt for the best spring strut compressor money can buy. The Branick 7600 is exactly that and has been designed to be the most heavy duty and safest spring compressor available. Features of the Branick 7600 include:
- No adapters required
- Thread is made using heavy duty acme
- Multi position hooks
- Construction is all steel
- Long handles for extra torque
- Integrated structural ring guard
- Weighs 98 LBS
- Made in the USA
The Branick 7600 is an all steel construction with heavy duty acme threads and it can be mounted in a range of different setups in your garage. It is the ultimate coil spring compressor on the market and more suited to professional mechanics or car owners that change springs regularly i.e. lowering springs/coilovers.
Check it Out5. ABN Spring Compressor Tool
Features of the ABN Strut Spring Compressor include:
- Uses a 1/2 inch socket to compress springs
- Forged hooks and center screws
- Comes as a set with a storage box
- Acme threaded rod
- Wide jaw to be compatible with most cars
- Weighs 8 LBS
Overall, the ABN coil spring compressors are the best option for those on a budget that may only use them a few times. They have a wide range of compatibility, comes with a storage case and built to last.
Check it OutSpring Compressor Tool Buying Guide
Strut spring compressors are an essential tool for anyone that is planning on removing their springs. Removing your spring is a common practice for those people wanting to lower their cars with new springs or coilovers as well as any other suspension work.
Choosing between the various coil spring compressors can be tricky but it all comes down to the amount of use and the budget you are ready to spend on the tool. If you own a large vehicle or SUV, you should really opt for a heavy duty spring compressor due to the amount of force that it will require.
To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a complete buyers guide for the spring compressor tool as shown below.
Safety Precautions
The main reason for buying a spring compressor is so that you are safe when removing the spring. If you are using a makeshift compressor, you are not certain of the strength it can hold before it could potentially let go of the spring.
If a spring was to shoot out, it could cause destruction and serious injury if the spring were to hit you or someone around it. Most strut spring compressors have strong hooks that can be tightened to ensure that this will not happen.
For larger vehicles such as SUVs and Trucks, the springs are much stronger and thicker. This means you should invest into a heavy duty spring compressor that can handle the strength of a compressed spring. The Shankly and the Branick are both more than capable of holding the pressure of these larger springs.
Compatibility
Not all springs are the same size with some being far wider or having larger springs in general. For example, a small passenger car is going to have much smaller springs than a large SUV or truck. Therefore, you will need to buy an appropriate spring compressor for you type of vehicle. For example, the cheap ABN recommendation within this article may not work with most large vehicles.
Conclusion
With the correct tools, working on the suspension of your vehicle is far easier. Using a strut spring compressor tool is an essential for almost any job that requires you to remove the spring. Therefore, owning your very own makes sense and as you can see from our tutorial, it is fairly simple to use too.
All of our recommended spring compressors provide a solution for heavy duty use, professional use and those on a tight budget. If you are using the tool for the first time, be sure to take your time and ensure everything is connected properly for maximum safety.
