PorKen

Will this work on 928 springs?



I bought it today in a chance visit to a used tool shop. I have needed one for Honey Bunny's SAAB front macpherson shock replacement, but I hope it will work on the 928, so I can cut my front springs to lower it a tad. (With all the weight out, it sits higher than a '78!)

Bill Ball

The problem I had with a heavy duty spring compressor I bought from HF is that the hooks are too thick and will not fit between the coils. This one looks like it will have that problem.

Rob Edwards

I bought the same HF compressor that I intended for use on my E34 BMW, but had the same problem as Bill. I don't think it'll work on the shark springs.

The $5 rental ones at Advance Auto were fine on the small-diameter rear Sachs sport springs on the Bimmer.

In fact, if anyone wants my HF compressor for free, come 'n get it......

Richard S

Ken, I have some springs that were cut, you want em?

Rich

PorKen

Mine is USA made, by 'Branick', looks professional.

The hooks look to be a bit thinner that the HF copy:



Rich,

Sure! How many coils cut? I wasn't thrilled to cut mine, as I will eventually get some fancy springs/shocks eventually anyway.

Richard S

Ken, I think one coil was cut, Kibort style. I actually had them installed on the S4 during the track day. Here's a pic, with cut springs on the front at 135mm ride height.



It wasn't until I dis-assembled them that I noticed they were cut. I assume they are stock S4 springs. No sport spring markings. Pulled from a 1980 928 that my friend and I parted out. The PO bought them from Devek so he could have adjustable front springs/shocks. I assume he cut them before installing. I kept them laying around and used them for a short time on the S4 until I installed Koni's with sport springs. Tell me where to send them, I'll box them up this week and get them out to you.

Rich

Bill Ball

Yep, that's the HF one. If your compressor is able to fit the coils, great.

dr bob

My ancient collection of things includes a set of coil spring compressors I fab'd in the maintainance shop at a soap factory at least 25 years ago. Made 'em for Lotus springs. They've since been usde for a lot of projects, including the 928. A couple hooks, some all-thread, and a few long nuts.

I also have a few other flavors of spring compressors purchased at various times for specific projects. The set for Europa/Esprit/Elan (the real Elan, not the Isuzu one) rears is a piece of art, the way I made it to grab the coilovers without scratching the body of the shock inside.

PorKen

I tried test fitting the compressor, by jacking up the car, and trying to slip all four hooks into the spring.

It looks to me that the problem with the HF version is not the hooks, but the arms, which don't allow you to rotate the hooks enough to slide into the coil. The Branick arms are quite thick (3/8"!, I was wrong about the size), but the hooks, and the arms are one piece of steel, and are beveled so you can rotate/squeeze them into place.

At the top, I did have to push one hook in and out, but the coils can be moved apart a little by hand when unloaded.

Bill Ball

You're right (of course) Ken. The HF ones could have worked if they had been made a little differently. I have an unused HF set sitting in the box on the garage floor.

heinrich

I don't understand that weird alien technology. I have ALWAYS used the regular old dril style 2 or 3 compressors ... one hook either side of a long bolt. Works PERFECTLY , used it for years

Thaddeus

I'm with Heinrich on this one, when you're dealing with large forces, simple tools are better

Bill Ball

This one allows you to compress both sides at once. That's about it.

Ron_H

I have two compressors, but the problem is being careful to tighten them evenly from side to side. I got 'em from the local Kragen auto store. The gave me the option to either rent them or buy them. Very reasonable.

PorKen

Rich was nice enough to send me some already cut springs, which I installed with the spring compressor. I put a new bolt on it - actually 8" of 3/4-10 all-thread with a nut welded on - as the original was missing.

I was able to remove spring and shock without unbolting any of the suspension. I used a prybar to make room for the compressor arm on the lowest wind of the spring. After compressing the spring, I pushed the bottom of the shock back and off the control arm.

The original Bilsteins (03-80, marked 'Made in Western Germany' ) still have high pressure in them! It took some muscle to pull them down to clear the bolts on the top.



Upper left is before, right and bottom are what it looks like now. The rear looks high now!

I have maybe 3/4" of thread on the rear, I may turn those all the way down, if I can get the adjusters to move.



I have to worry about curbs and speedbumps again now, as I'm scraping the spoiler. It's been a few years since that has been a problem.

The front view is properly mean looking, so I'm happy enough until I buy some new springs/shocks.