Which style of spring compressor do you recommend using for a 3rd-generation 4Runner?

[mom]

I busted my front shocks & therefore am in need of a spring compressor to replace my Tokico GU3564 front shocks (Toyota P/N 48510-39406).

Googling, I find a plethora of styles to choose from, at a huge range of prices, from $20 (which seems too cheap) to $250 (which may be too expensive).

Since compressing springs could be dangerous, but, you guys do it all the time, may I ask which style of spring compressor tools you recommend using for a 2WD Toyota 4Runner?

Note: I wasn't sure of the names, so, if you know the 'real' name of each style, that would be helpful to both me and to others in the future.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

This might help Loan-A-Tool® Program | In Our Stores | AutoZone.com

I rented for free some spring compressors from Auto Zone (just leave a $50 deposit that they refund upon return). They worked great. If I remember correctly, they had a feature on them that helped prevent the spring from coming out while compressing.

In the link above, when you click on steering and suspension you'll see the tool that says "strut spring" (for MacPherson strut springs). That is what it looked like.

You could also just take your old coilovers to a shop and have them assemble to new shocks on the factory springs, for a small fee. Might make life easier. Hope that helps.

 

[Charlee78]

Since our struts are very hard to compress, I would go with the hydraulic one.

 

[t4r4life]

hydro or drill press

 

[pat161]

I used the claw arm style on my Tacoma years ago as it was all we had. When I did springs and shocks on the Runner I used a wall mounted hydraulic unit. Both did the job just fine, but the hydraulic unit seemed much safer and easier.

I also agree with others, if you have any doubts just remove the shock and spring and bring it to a local garage to compress and re-assemble. That won't cost a ton and will save you the worry.

 

[Nelsonmd]

A number of people here have expressing feelings that the threaded types are pretty sketchy when they get some tension. That said, a couple guys have used them successfully too. If one of the other options are available, I'd say go for that. Compressing these things will store alot of energy; you don't want to have misgivings about the tool containing it.

 

[mom]

The spring compressors in the shop manuals are nothing like what you guys use!

threaded types are pretty sketchy when they get some tension ... Compressing these things will store alot of energy; you don't want to have misgivings about the tool containing it.

Thanks. I went to Midas today and they quoted $220 for a shock installation if I bring in my own shocks. (They would not do 'just' the springs.)

Seems to me then, that my budget for tools is $220 for the requisite tools such as the spring compressor.

In the 1997 Toyota 4Runner factory repair manual, page SA-42, they use a SST (namely SST 092727-00060, aka SST 092727-30021) which hooks to a bench vise, of all things (which seems ridiculous) to compress the springs.

In the Chilton manual (#68604, titled "Toyota Pick-ups/Land Cruiser/4Runner 1997/00 Repair Manual"), page 8-15, they actually use a spring compressor with the strut still attached to the vehicle!

It's strange that both manuals show a different method of compressing springs than all the DIYs I found. Weird.

Anyway, with both AutoZone & O'Reillys lending out the bolt-and-claw style spring compressors ($50 deposit), one simple option is to order the shocks online, and then when they arrive, get both sets of spring compressors (one from O'Reillys, the other from Autozone) so that I can at least put three (and maybe four if they fit) of the bolt-and-claw types on the spring (for safety).

BTW, what does SST mean in my Toyota shop manual?

 

[steezemcqueen]

Check around at a independent shop. They usually are better about bringing in your own parts and most will do the job for around $50. A wall mount strut spring compressor like this:

are the best but they are like $400-600.

The bolt style that you rent:

will work fine too but they are not as safe as the wall mount.

BTW, what does SST mean in my Toyota shop manual?

Special service tool

 

[sportscarfan]

The bolt style that you rent:

will work fine too but they are not as safe as the wall mount.



Special service tool

I used one of these rented from Advance Auto not too long ago. Worked fine. I wouldn't want to use it without an air impact gun though.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Check around at a independent shop. They usually are better about bringing in your own parts and most will do the job for around $50.

Ditto.

Though another option might be to get a harbor freight press and use that. You can get a 12 ton for about $120 I think and should be able to use it to compress the springs. Might be a little bit sketchy, and you would have to make an adapter of some sort for the top, but I don't think ti would that difficult. PLus then you have a press. I have used mine a couple times now.

You could also try this OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

 

[wardriver]

I tried the loan a tool program one from Advance Auto and they were bowed out before I could get them 1/2 way compressed. So I'd strike that place off the list.

Seems lots of guys on here try to bribe the mechanics to swap them out...

Let me know what you come up with

 

[econhonda]

I used the ones from autozone, and they did just fine. A little bowing didn't ever hut nobody!!!

Just kidding. They really didn't bend that much.

 

[w650gb500]

I just did mine yesterday and used a Branick wall mounted unit. Easy and only took a few minutes. I would seriously avoid any of the "threaded rod" type as the front 4Runner springs are pretty serious units compared to most strut-equipped vehicles. Most small garages can do them in 10 minutes and for $20-30 its a bargain.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I just did mine yesterday and used a Branick wall mounted unit. Easy and only took a few minutes. I would seriously avoid any of the "threaded rod" type as the front 4Runner springs are pretty serious units compared to most strut-equipped vehicles. Most small garages can do them in 10 minutes and for $20-30 its a bargain.

I definitely think it depends on the exact ones you find when it comes to the threaded rod kind. I used a set for my 2001 TRD Tacoma Doublecab (if those aren't stiff springs being a progressive spring, I don't know what is), and compressed the springs enough to get them on the highest setting for some Bilstein 5100's. I still think the general consensus is to take them to a shop and make it a worry free job.

 

[KSWAY]

Threaded rod type works just fine..AS LONG AS YOU USE IT RIGHT..

 

[mom]

Threaded rod type works just fine..AS LONG AS YOU USE IT RIGHT..

I decided that I'll replace my Tokico shocks by borrowing TWO spring compressor kits (one from AutoZone, the other from O'Reilly).

I'll put at least three of those threaded rods with hooks on the truck spring, the additional rod, for safety.

It is interesting to note that over in this thread, we found that the Toyota factory shop manual specifies a special service tool which uses a bench vise to compress the spring:

Which, a user posted a picture of in use:

 

[Charlee78]

I did used that tool in the past but that was before we began to dismantle struts like ours. Since then we use the one bolted to the wall. The first time we used the tool that Toyota suggest on a runner strut, we broke 2 different tools on the same strut and we had to bring it to another shop to do the swap for us.

 

[twitchee2]

I bought some cheap harbor freight ones....they just bowed, the spring didnt even compress. I took them to midias paid the guy $20 to assemble them and i was one my way.

 

[thirstyturtle]

When I did this I bought a hydraulic one from Northern Tools on my credit card, used it, returned it the same day and got every penny back. I've actually done the same thing for a number of expensive one-time-use tools.

::I'm a horrible person::

 

[mom]

I took them to midias paid the guy $20 to assemble them

Your price, at Midas, far surpasses what I found out here in the Silicon Valley of California.

I had asked Goodyear how much they'd charge for putting these shocks in and they quoted $100 per wheel, or $200 in total.

To close the loop, I finally bought the Bilstein shocks and rented (for a $50 deposit, good for 90 days) the free spring compressor tool from Autozone.