Spring compression tool or not?

[RunningAround]

Waiting to install my 2 1/2 daystar lift. When I installed spacers on my Jeep, the springs were easy enough to compress with two of us and get the spacers in. For those who have done this, what's the best way to install the spacers on the Runners? Spring compression tool, or can you man handle them?

 

[shootmymime]

the rear springs are super easy, but the front! OMG! good luck with 2 guys! the fronts are so damn tough!!! you NEED a compressor

 

[K2Runner]

I haven't done it myself but i've heard you need a spring compressor for the fronts.

 

[cooljello6233]

when i compressed mine we had to go to the Mercedes dealership and ask my dads friend to do it with this big machine and we still barely got it bc the one we had at home didnt even get close to compressin it enought but who know u might be able to get it
good luck

 

[J.A.]

You can manhandle the back but use the proper spring compressors up front. Remember a compressed spring packs quite a punch and can potentially be really dangerous if not handled correctly.

 

[RunningAround]

I see that AutoZone has a Compression Tool as part of their "lend a tool" program. It's not air compressed, just manual. You guys think that would work. Here's the link:

http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/spring_compressor.htm

 

[J.A.]

I see that AutoZone has a Compression Tool as part of their "lend a tool" program. It's not air compressed, just manual. You guys think that would work. Here's the link:

http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/spring_compressor.htm

Actually, NO, the one you want is this http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/strut_spring_tool.htm

 

[LINY4Runner]

I'm gonna go ahead and say that if you have to ask if you're gonna need the tool, that you're definately not ready to be disassembling the front struts of your truck safely.

 

[RunningAround]

Thanks for your concern, but I'm good. As I said, I put this same type of lift on my Jeep Wrangler w/o using the tool. I was just curious how stiff the coils on a 4Runner are compared to a Wrangler, and whether or not the tool is needed. Obviously it is needed, and I will use it. I would appreciate if you would refrain from questioning my mechanical ability, and not add anything else unless it's helpful as many others here have done. To the rest of you, thank you very much for the insight.

 

[K2Runner]

Thanks for your concern, but I'm good. As I said, I put this same type of lift on my Jeep Wrangler w/o using the tool. I was just curious how stiff the coils on a 4Runner are compared to a Wrangler, and whether or not the tool is needed. Obviously it is needed, and I will use it. I would appreciate if you would refrain from questioning my mechanical ability, and not add anything else unless it's helpful as many others here have done. To the rest of you, thank you very much for the insight.

Yeah LINY, you went a little too far. Runningaround already said he installed this type of lift! He was just asking if he needed to use a spring compressor or not.

 

[trd_4runnin]

Actually, NO, the one you want is this http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/strut_spring_tool.htm

For what it's worth, I got two of these sets from two different AZs and it took 3 of the 4 pieces on each spring to get them compressed enough to get the strut cap back on. This was with OME front springs though which are a lot stiffer so you might have better luck with the stock springs.

 

[J.A.]

For what it's worth, I got two of these sets from two different AZs and it took 3 of the 4 pieces on each spring to get them compressed enough to get the strut cap back on. This was with OME front springs though which are a lot stiffer so you might have better luck with the stock springs.

FWIW I compressed the 4th gen V8 4WD front coils which are 580/ lb in with those exact compressors (2 pieces / 1 pair) with no problems at all. The 3rd gen OME 881 are 500/ lb in iirc . I agree that it is better to be safe than sorry though. To install the OME coils you may have had to crank down the compressors more inches hence the higher effort.

 

[luigi123]

Use two sets, its safer and its easier with four clamps, takes a little more time but its worth it. Important thing when I did mine I forgot to orientate the top studs correctly and had to compress the spring again, save yourself some trouble and mark the springs with the correct orientations with a sharpie before you disassemble.

 

[trd_4runnin]

FWIW I compressed the 4th gen V8 4WD front coils which are 580/ lb in with those exact compressors (2 pieces / 1 pair) with no problems at all. The 3rd gen OME 881 are 500/ lb in iirc . I agree that it is better to be safe than sorry though. To install the OME coils you may have had to crank down the compressors more inches hence the higher effort.

Yeah, we probably could have done it just fine with one set. The biggest problem we were having was keeping the coil straight while compressing it with only two compressors. The third helped tremendously with that.

 

[beallen21]

I'm a relatively strong guy and there's no way I would try the front or the rear springs without a compressor tool, might take a little longer i like to use my brain not my back, or my engineering motto "smarter not harder"

 

[scheme56]

yes, you will need spring compressors. would recommend bringing your strut assembly to a repair/suspension shop and have them do the work. they have the heavy duty type spring compressors- it takes no more than 10 minutes to add in a spacer or swap out the coil in the strut assembly. i've used the az spring compressors on various cars and about a year ago, tried installing ome coils on my 4runner, only to have the coil 'bow' and lock up the bolt on the threading. i finally took it to my friend's shop and used his heavy duty spring compressor. the install was effortless. i will never use az spring compressors again.

if you insist on using az spring compressors, trd_4runnin's advice sounds like a good, safe way to do the install.

 

[RunningAround]

would recommend bringing your strut assembly to a repair/suspension shop and have them do the work.

My brother (who also has a runner, and was a Toyota mechanic for 6 years) made the same recommendation. I know how much of a pain this project is, and this option seems to be more and more appealing.

 

[J-money$$$]

No to bee too far off topic but I was just reading all this and I have to say wheew! I'm glad I bought sway-away coilovers for my front lift. No spring compressors or danger! Haha. Well good luck. And the rear is super easy to do with out. It takes about an hour with new shocks. The trick is lift your runner up with a jack on the middle of the differential. Next undo your shocks. or you could do that first

Then undo the top of the panhard bar. And the bolt that holds the ebrake cable to the rear diff.

Stick some jack stands under the FRAME. And lower the differental/ rear end. And the springs will practacally fall out.

Hope that helps. Its how I did mine

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I plan on a 3" sometime soon...

I have access to lifts readily so my question:

What is the compressor for? I am kinda new to the whole lifting bit and I dont know what the deal is.

Isn't it the same as using a lift and then compressing the springs with a jack lifting on the lower control arm?

Or am I talking out of my ass?

lol.

 

[trd_4runnin]

I plan on a 3" sometime soon...

I have access to lifts readily so my question:

What is the compressor for? I am kinda new to the whole lifting bit and I dont know what the deal is.

Isn't it the same as using a lift and then compressing the springs with a jack lifting on the lower control arm?

Or am I talking out of my ass?

lol.

The problem is the the whole front strut assembly comes out as one piece. Once you get it out, there is a nut that screws on to the top of the strut, holding the strut cap in place. If you try and undo this nut without compressing the spring first, the strut cap will go flying across the floor once that nut gets loose. Also, when installing the spacers or longer OEM coils, you have to compress the spring when putting the assembly back together or you won't even be able to get the strut cap back on.

No to bee too far off topic but I was just reading all this and I have to say wheew! I'm glad I bought sway-away coilovers for my front lift. No spring compressors or danger! Haha. Well good luck. And the rear is super easy to do with out. It takes about an hour with new shocks. The trick is lift your runner up with a jack on the middle of the differential. Next undo your shocks. or you could do that first

Then undo the top of the panhard bar. And the bolt that holds the ebrake cable to the rear diff.

Stick some jack stands under the FRAME. And lower the differental/ rear end. And the springs will practacally fall out.

Hope that helps. Its how I did mine

You shouldn't need to undo the panhard bar at all, just the shocks, e-brake cables, and sway bar.