TOPIC:

Has anyone made a shock coil spring compressor tool? If so would you mind posting pics of what you done? I dont really fancy splashing out £30 ($50 ish) on something i'm probably only going to use once

This is probably not cheaper if you have to buy everything. I had most of it accumulated over the years. The main reason I made it was that it was much faster than the compressor my friend had, and I was going to be doing a lot of spring swapping.

I only have one photo of it. Get the bracket from a large caster and take the wheel off. Use that as the lower mount for the shock. Attach it to a board and clamp the board to a table. It's hard to see in the photo, but there are actually 3 turnbuckles. Each one is held down with a "U" clamp mounted into the board.

Once the turnbuckles are set to the right length, it's just a matter of rocking the shock backward or forward to pull the spring down and slide out the retainer.

Later I replaced the "S" hooks with strapping material loops to prevent scratching the springs.

Thanks Lou. I think im gonna see my friend with the CNC machne tomorrow night. I'll get 4 'claws' knocked up & use some M8 threaded bar with nuts & washers to compress them.

Either that or 2 claws & a flat plate with a 40mm hole & 2 M8 holes either side to put the bar through & grab the 'claws'. The only thing putting me off the 2nd descroption is i doubt every shock will fit into a 40mm hole.

I just did mine at home with some zip tie`s Its cold in the garrage.

Mine are off the bike Pete

done plenty of them with better quality hose clamps....

I live dangerously and just put the bottem eye between my feet and use 2 screw drivers to compress spring while somebodt pulls retainer out,Ive been doing it for years and know how far i can push my luck though

Just changed the springs on mine today. used the press. It took a couple of seconds each. Upside down in the press, two blocks on the side, lined up with the outer edge of the retainer shroud. You can slip the keeper out, then release the press, change the spring and the do it again for reassembly.

Show off!

Car Strut tool may work....

Can borrow from most Auto Parts stores...

or HFT, cheap.... HBT Strut Tool

Another easy way. You can do the Zip Ties, (good ones), or mechanics wire, like suggested.
Compress the rear suspension, and use a Motorcycle tie down strap or ratchet strap to pull it down. place the bike on the center stand, or put a jack under it. Once compressed do the ties on the springs. Then unbolt the shocks.

my teeth