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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,546 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,546 Likes: 1 |
I did it for the second time in my life last night and was nervous as a house cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I put my faith in Harbor Freight to the test.
Used my impact to zip each one about a 1/4 inch at a time.
Turned out OK, but next time around I'm gonna pay a shop to compress and swap the springs for me. $20 is worth it to have keep my blood pressure low.
(or just buy the whole assembly like I normally do)
Last edited by KFWA; 08/18/22.
have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,056
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,056 |
Nope, once, never again since that. I just buy loaded struts and replace the whole shebang. The extra cost is worth less headache and chance of a spring mishap.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
I have done it a couple of times, I'll let someone that does it professionally anytime I need it in the future.
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 860
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 860 |
I've done it several times. Not gonna do it again. I did alignments with string and level and had front tires last better than they did with the make believe alignment from the tire store.
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,807
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,807 |
KFWA - If you think that’s scary, try changing a broken garage door spring next with a screw driver and pipe wrench.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,000
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,000 |
Worked in auto repair in the early 80's and seen this done. I will pass. One little mistake could ruin your life. No thanks. I will pay to have it done.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” ISAIAH 41:10
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,178 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,178 Likes: 1 |
Nope, once, never again since that. I just buy loaded struts and replace the whole shebang. The extra cost is worth less headache and chance of a spring mishap. That. I managed to get it done but it wasn’t worth the stress and hassle.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,546 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,546 Likes: 1 |
KFWA - If you think that’s scary, try changing a broken garage door spring next with a screw driver and pipe wrench. yep, I've seen some with a device at the end where you use a cordless drill to wind them.
have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 9,965 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 9,965 Likes: 6 |
Why bother with reusing worn out springs when you can buy new struts and springs, already assembled? That being said, anyone with a few brain cells to rub together and the right equipment can do the job safely. Like any other auto repair procedure, doing it the right way the first time makes the job simple, and safe. Cheapskates who aren't willing to invest in the right tools don't have much of a reason to complain about how hard the job is when they're using the wrong tools.
Ignorance can be fixed. Stupid is forever!
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,546 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,546 Likes: 1 |
in this case the only assembly I could buy was cheap chinese stuff or from the dealer.
I wanted KYB and they only sold the struts.
have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,740 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,740 Likes: 3 |
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,955
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,955 |
Few years back I replaced the coil springs in my jeep tj with jku rubicon springs and used ratchet straps
Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 25,933 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 25,933 Likes: 6 |
A very nice, hard working Mennonite man with a lovely wife and two young sons has a shop one mile from my house.
Brakes, struts, AC compressor, starters..........he gets any work I can send his way.
Prices are as impressive as the quality of his work.
People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,929 Likes: 17
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,929 Likes: 17 |
I've done it before I realized how dangerous it was. Not now.
A person who's happy will make others happy. Anne Frank
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 679
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 679 |
Being a automotive tech I’ve done it many a times back in the day. Only time I had a pucker moment was doing struts for a f150 , man the shops wall mounted press was making all kind of groaning sounds compressing that spring . Now a days one can usually find loaded struts cheaper than just a strut alone .
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,385
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,385 |
I use 2 sets of compressors, and put on a second as insurance against any failures. Has worked fine so far.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 42,013 Likes: 5
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 42,013 Likes: 5 |
Loaded strut assemblies, where ever possible, with limited lifetime warranty !
Spring breaks, strut leaks out, or knuckle busts off, replace with the warranty.
Paul.
"Kids who grow up hunting, fishing & trapping, do not mug little old Ladies"
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,820 Likes: 14
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,820 Likes: 14 |
Bought from the guys before.....prebuilt....ready to bolt on 25% off sale now https://ironman4x4america.com/suspension/shocks-struts/
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,621 Likes: 4
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,621 Likes: 4 |
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,416
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,416 |
I bought a cheap set of compressors and put four KYB struts in my small car. Its a bit of a hassle, but I didn't feel it was unsafe. I will probably do it again if I ever need to. My vehicles hardly ever go to a shop.
Jerry
Minnesota; Land of 10,000 Taxes
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