How hard to install lift?

Exactly. I used a rental spring compressor the first time I did mine. Sketchy as $&@!. This was is much much safer IMO.

 

I've done it both ways several times and I prefer the spring compressors. I never felt like it was unsafe or sketchy? Using an impact made it cake work.

 

I also used an impact. As I tightened the compressor, the pressure from the coil started twisting the two bolts on the compressor. Instead of the bolts looking like ||, they were more in the shape of a strand of DNA. To me, that's was sketchy. I was nervous as a cat.

 

Unless you're using a shop/industrial spring compressor, they re dangerous as fuck. Doesn't take much for them to let a spring fly out of them under compression. A compressed spring released can crush your skull.

The decompression method using the truck and jack keeps the spring confined around the strut with no area for the spring to release to. The bottom of the strut is still bolted to the lower arm.

 

This is a failed spring compressor.

 

The ones I've used had locks that prevent the spring from coming out *IF* it were to slip. Never had it happen and never heard of anybody dying from it.

 

Hopefully youre not referring to these with the pin 'locks'. These are the most dangerous. Junk

 

I know O'Reilly auto parts will rent the spring compressor and you get your money back when you return it

 

This. I replaced my OME with 5100 yesterday before breakfast. No sweat.

Derek's video was very helpful.

 

Yup. Used them plenty of times with no casualties. Operator error?

The guys in that video admitted it was user error.

 

Its your life and your safety. You obviously don't realize the potential energy of a compressed auto spring.

 

Well aware. Thanks for your concern though.

 

Im talking about general safety. You can pass around a loaded gun all day long and not have anyone get hurt. Doesn't mean its safe because no one got shot. Its the point of making the safer decision. Unload the gun before passing it around. Just because you didn't have a bad experience, which I'm glad you didn't, doesn't make it safe.

When it comes to spring compressors, if you opt to use one, use a quality shop grade spring compressor. Not a rented auto zone POS. Something like this is much safer.

 

I'll bet you somewhere along the way, someone has injured themselves using that exact setup. Accidents can and will happen and if used improperly they will almost definitely happen. I really don't see any epidemic of spring compressor injuries causing such panic. If they were so unsafe that people were narrowly avoiding death I'd imagine the large auto parts stores would not only stop selling them to anybody who walks in the door, but they would also stop renting them to anybody with a credit card.

I handle firearms everyday and have never shot myself. That doesn't mean it can't happen, but with proper handling and safe use it's not an issue for me.

I see your point and appreciate your concern, but like anything else in life there is a certain level of risk involved with everything.

 

Im not trying to come off harsh, I'm just adamant about the use of the correct tool because this is an informative thread. Giving the best and safest advice, especially to a beginner, is the right thing to do. Using inadequate tools isn't good advice, and I'm not saying you're position is that theyre better, but the correct information is important.

You can use a bunch of 2x4s to support a truck off the ground, but is that the advice you would give someone when jack stands are the obvious safe choice of tools.

Of course accidents can happen, but is that a justifiable reason to not use the best or proper tool?

 

It's a tool specifically made for this EXACT job and many people(myself included) have been using them for years and years with no injury or death.

Your opinion is NOT the "safe and correct" way to do it. It's simply YOUR opinion. If you don't feel safe using a specific tool than use your own method, but that doesn't mean every other method is incorrect or unsafe.

Using 2x4's to support a vehicle instead of jack stands is quite a bit different than using a spring compressor or not. Apples to oranges.

 

Wow. This isn't my opinion, it's a fact that those compressors are less safe than a shop/industrial compressor. Just look it up.

You can argue all you want that those things are safe, but you are wrong. Simply look it up.


For anyone else reading this thread, if you opt to use a spring compressor, stay clear of cheap spring compressors. Either go for a sturdy quality compressor, or leave it to the professionals to do it in a shop. Don't be cheap. Compromising your safety isn't worth it.

 

Wow, I never said the over the counter compressors were better or safer than the industrial compressors.

Most people are doing this in their garage so the availability of an industrial spring compressor is limited. Taking their vehicle to a shop is usually avoided due to the cost. The "safer" way to work on your vehicle is on a lift, but most of us use jacks and jack stands which also works. Just because a lift is better/safer doesn't mean nobody should work on their vehicle using jacks and jack stands. You act like people are dropping like flies using spring compressors lol.

TW is literally FILLED with people who swap springs themselves either with or without a compressor. I've yet to read about any casualties. From the posts I've read, most people prefer to use a compressor.

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

 

I'm quite familiar with changing springs. I've simply stated which is safer, and you seem to have issue with that. Your first post defends the use of cheap compressors. I've stated to avoid them. It's that simple.

 

Never did a lift myself either, but pulled it out, was fun, very satisfying UUUUU can DOOOOO EEEET