Coil Spring compressors

[evdama]

Need to get a set for the front
Are the ones off eBay for a tenner useable?
Hopefully they would now only be used once or twice ever again.
Seen a YT? vid with the guy using ratchet straps....

[shtu]

It's the sort of tool I'd consider spending a little more than the cheapest possible.

I've had a set of these for decades, https://sykespickavantexport.com/product...960/083800 and in fact was using them a couple of hours ago to replace some broken springs.

Though there may be a cheaper alternative out there.

[Multispacer]

Need to get a set for the front
Are the ones off eBay for a tenner useable?
Hopefully they would now only be used once or twice ever again.
Seen a YT? vid with the guy using ratchet straps....

No don't risk it. The springs on the Berlingo are pretty hefty items, get a decent set, you could always re-sell them afterwards,

One other thing to be very carefull about when removing the front shocks is to make sure the wheel assembly is properly supported as the seals on the driveshafts are easily damaged if you don't support it correctly and you end up with a gearbox leak....been there, done that!!!

[evdama]

Thanks both,some sound advice 
Those Yikes Pikavent are out of my league even to sell on.
I need to keep outlay to an absolute minimum for a while after the alternator debacle

I get the point about the eBay ones 
There are Seeley and Laser ones around £50 which are 1000kg rated as opposed to not rated at all. Would these be better enough?

Ns spring snap

This nearside went recently while slowly manoeuvring unladen on smooth tarmac.I spun the steering onto full  left-hand lock,braked to a stop and it popped the top off.

I'm thinking a dodgy top mount allowed the spring to twist instead of rotate?
It's done 73k and the running gear is otherwise silent.

[brodfather11]

Its a knackered top mount that causes the spring to break like that. The flaw in the metal would not help it either.
As for your coil spring compressor , any cheapo on fleabay would be good enough for a couple of uses unless your expecting to change a lot of coil springs.

[shtu]

It's a problem with this type of design generally. The spring takes a smaller radius for the last turn or so to meet the top mount, and they always crack at the change in curvature. Seems to be a point of extra stress in the manufacture.


The way I think about it when buying tools is - how much would the job cost to send out? There's usually a solid chance I can buy the tools, do the job, save a bunch of cash and still have the tools for future use.

[Multispacer]

Thanks both,some sound advice 
Those Yikes Pikavent are out of my league even to sell on.
I need to keep outlay to an absolute minimum for a while after the alternator debacle

I get the point about the eBay ones 
There are Seeley and Laser ones around £50 which are 1000kg rated as opposed to not rated at all. Would these be better enough?

Ns spring snap

This nearside went recently while slowly manoeuvring unladen on smooth tarmac.I spun the steering onto full  left-hand lock,braked to a stop and it popped the top off.

I'm thinking a dodgy top mount allowed the spring to twist instead of rotate?
It's done 73k and the running gear is otherwise silent.

If you're going to replace the spring, it's always best to replace the top mounts while the assembly is out.

You mentioned the Laser spring compressors, Haflords are selling them for £37 at the moment: 

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tool...96385.html

I think the state of the UK roads also has a lot to answer for with snapping springs. Been through loads of cars since I first starting driving in about 1980 and never had a spring snap on any of my vehicles until in recent times had both a front and rear go on my B9 Multispace. Also had to help my eldest son replace one of the front springs on his VW Golf that had snapped recently.

[Collapsedsuspension]

My local motor factors sold me KYB springs when I did mine - they were crap - they expanded on steering and fouled the strut towers. I tried reseating them several times but the fix was to replace them again with Sachs ones.

As for spring compressors, you need some that fit into the strut tower to remove the spring/shock. I like the twin hook Hilka pro ones from Screwfix.

Edit: just noticed this is for the B9. Not sure if the point about needing the compressors to fit in the strut tower matters!

[evdama]

My local motor factors sold me KYB springs when I did mine - they were crap - they expanded on steering and fouled the strut towers. I tried reseating them several times but the fix was to replace them again with Sachs ones.

As for spring compressors, you need some that fit into the strut tower to remove the spring/shock. I like the twin hook Hilka pro ones from Screwfix.

Edit: just noticed this is for the B9. Not sure if the point about needing the compressors to fit in the strut tower matters!

I've now got the laser ones and they are very compact but good point about the brand names

[notsofast]

The only time a coil spring has broken on my M49 (165,000 miles and counting) is immediately after getting it back after a garage did work on the brakes. It occurred when making a sharp left turn at no more than 10mph. When I took the van back to the garage, I discovered that their usual 'test drive' of vehicles involved a route over several large sleeping policemen, which they took at about 30mph. They fitted a new spring, but I didn't use that garage again.