Coil spring compressors are essential tools for safely servicing automotive suspensions with struts, which combine a shock absorber and spring into one component. The tool removes stress from the strut assembly, allowing for safe disassembly and reassembly. Attempting to remove a strut assembly without a compressor is dangerous and impractical.
Coil spring compressors are tools used to service certain types of automotive suspensions. Some vehicles use components known as struts, which combine a shock absorber and spring into one integral component of the suspension system. The springs are very strong and are under significant tension, so simply removing a strut can be quite dangerous. To accomplish this task safely and to make reassembly of a strut easier, a coil spring compressor is usually required.
Struts have three main components, which are a housing, a cartridge, and a coil spring. The housing typically bolts to a knuckle and strut tower, and the cartridge fits inside. A strut plate is normally located on top of the cartridge, and a coil spring is installed between the shell and the plate. In most cases some type of bushing will also be installed between the plate and the tower. A coil spring compressor is usually required to allow for the replacement of items such as cartridges and bushings.
The purpose of a coil spring compressor is to remove stress from a strut assembly so that it can be safely disassembled for service and then reassembled. This is accomplished by inserting the feet or hooks of the compressor into the spring and then tightening it with an air ratchet or hand tool. When the coil spring compressor is tightened, its feet or hooks cause the coil springs to move closer to each other. That effectively takes stress off the strut assembly so the plate can be unbolted and the cartridge can be safely replaced.
It is sometimes possible to remove a strut assembly without this type of tool, if the technician is careful and works very slowly, although it is generally dangerous to attempt. As the coils are very strong and under extreme pressure, they can move suddenly when the pressure is released. If a technician is on the road when that happens, serious injury or even death could occur. Also, at that point it would be difficult or impossible to put the assembly back together with a new shock cartridge. Consequently, it is generally much safer and more practical to use a coil spring compressor when performing maintenance work on strut assemblies.
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