Changing springs without spring compressors

[NDNDNDND]

Hello,

My wife's Mk6 Fiesta decided to snap a spring while parked on our driveway at the weekend.

I've changed springs and dampers on my MX-5 before, but I did this without using spring compressors. In the MX-5 world this is known as the 'long bolt method' as you have to withdraw the long bolt from the top wishbone, then, while supporting the lower suspension arm with a jack, disconnect the damper from the topmount (which stays attached to the car) and then gradually lower the jack to decompress the spring.

This method seemed quick, easy and substantially safer than wrestling with spring compressors (which look f***ing lethal, frankly).

Can I use a similar method with the Macpherson struts on the Fiesta? It would be much easier to simply swap the springs rather than having to completely remove the strut from the car. I assume I'd have to disconnect the ARB to ensure there's sufficient droop, but is there anything else I'm missing?

Cheers,

ND

[wal 45]

Personally I think you'd be insane to try it on a Macpherson strut especially after seeing the after effects of a spring "letting go" on a proper mechanic using a decent bench mounted compressor. Guy survived but suffered pretty significant injuries and was actually just lucky....

It's one of the jobs on a car I'd never ever try and do a short cut on as I'm only too aware of the stored energy in a compressed car spring. That said one of the time served mechanics on here might have a way of doing it, I just wouldn't risk for the price of a proper set of compressors.

Just my thoughts though.

[buggalugs]

Think it depends on the car, I tried the undo the top mount and jack it up method on an old Primera or Mondeo and found that the uncompressed length of the spring was so long that it was a no go, and ended up with a big mess on my hands that I needed a spring compressor to get out of!

[Eddie Strohacker]

buggalugs said:

Think it depends on the car, I tried the undo the top mount and jack it up method on an old Primera or Mondeo and found that the uncompressed length of the spring was so long that it was a no go, and ended up with a big mess on my hands that I needed a spring compressor to get out of!

Definitely this. I've done the fronts on my Cayman by jacking up the hub, buzzing off the top nut & letting the assembly decompress slowly, but I'd 100% take knowledgable advice from several reliable sources before embarking on something that could cause serious injury or worse.

[PaulKemp]

You can take the complete strut off intact but you can’t dismantle to remove the spring without a spring compressor.
Well you could hold the strut in a vice and undo the nut until the spring exits the workshop through the roof but then you would need to compress the new spring to refit.
As you spring is broken it may not be under tension anymore.
You’ll still need spring compressors to refit, I use 3 per side

[NDNDNDND]

Eddie Strohacker said:

buggalugs said:

Think it depends on the car, I tried the undo the top mount and jack it up method on an old Primera or Mondeo and found that the uncompressed length of the spring was so long that it was a no go, and ended up with a big mess on my hands that I needed a spring compressor to get out of!

Definitely this. I've done the fronts on my Cayman by jacking up the hub, buzzing off the top nut & letting the assembly decompress slowly, but I'd 100% take knowledgable advice from several reliable sources before embarking on something that could cause serious injury or worse.

This is what I'm thinking - the process was well-documented on the MX-5, and proved to be so easy and safe that doing the same with spring compressors looked slightly absurd. I would prefer to encounter someone who's experienced trying this method with a fiesta.

As confirmed by Wal 45 above, spring compressors are nasty things and I'd prefer not to use them. With the 'long bolt method' you could hide behind the car's bodywork, the spring was always at arm's length, and you were never in the line of fire.

[NDNDNDND]

PaulKemp said:

You can take the complete strut off intact but you can’t dismantle to remove the spring without a spring compressor.
Well you could hold the strut in a vice and undo the nut until the spring exits the workshop through the roof but then you would need to compress the new spring to refit.
As you spring is broken it may not be under tension anymore.
You’ll still need spring compressors to refit, I use 3 per side

With the method I've used before, reinstallation would be the reverse of removal: Jack up using the minimum force to can locate the strut and spring, and do up topnut as soon as enough thread was available.

[E-bmw]

Spring compressors aren't nasty, they are the right tool for the job & are what makes the job safe to do.

£15 for a decent set that will last for years is a small price to pay for keeping all your fingers & eyes intact!

[Krikkit]

The cheapo spring compressors always scare the bejesus out of me too, it's a good reminder how much energy is locked away in that innocuous looking spring.

[buggalugs]

I have a pair I've used a load of times, they do make me nervous though and I always keep the spring side on to me so that if it escapes it's hopefully not going to take my jawbone off with it

[helix402]

NDNDNDND said:

Hello,

My wife's Mk6 Fiesta decided to snap a spring while parked on our driveway at the weekend.

I've changed springs and dampers on my MX-5 before, but I did this without using spring compressors. In the MX-5 world this is known as the 'long bolt method' as you have to withdraw the long bolt from the top wishbone, then, while supporting the lower suspension arm with a jack, disconnect the damper from the topmount (which stays attached to the car) and then gradually lower the jack to decompress the spring.

This method seemed quick, easy and substantially safer than wrestling with spring compressors (which look f***ing lethal, frankly).

Can I use a similar method with the Macpherson struts on the Fiesta?

No. Take it to a garage or buy a pair of spring compressors.

It would be much easier to simply swap the springs rather than having to completely remove the strut from the car. I assume I'd have to disconnect the ARB to ensure there's sufficient droop, but is there anything else I'm missing?

Cheers,

ND

[NDNDNDND]

Thinking about it, given the spring is broken and completely decompressed, I can safely dismantle the Macpherson strut without any danger.

I think I'll buy a couple of new springs and then, when I dismantle strut, I can see if it's feasible to reinstall the spring as I intend. If not, I'll have to pop out and get a set of compressors.

Cheers,

ND

[meb90]

I think you could do the job without spring compressors, but I think you'll have difficulty getting the strut top nut off unless you have a windy gun.

But, once the nut is off you'll be able to lower the hub with a jack.

I should imagine fitting would be do-able using the reverse.

However, personally, I'd use compressors. I have a set of Laser Tools compressors and although I am acutely aware of the energy contained within a compressed spring, they have always given me confidence to do the job. That's what I've done for my two Fiestas anyway.

[Hammer67]

E-bmw said:

Spring compressors aren't nasty, they are the right tool for the job & are what makes the job safe to do.

£15 for a decent set that will last for years is a small price to pay for keeping all your fingers & eyes intact!

^^^^^ Very much this. I've used a pair of these loads of times on various vehicles ~ from memory Almera, Ibiza, Golf, Mondeo, Spitfire, Vitesse without any sort of issue. As long as you're careful and keep the spring evenly tensioned on each side they`re fine.

[Krikkit]

meb90 said:

I think you could do the job without spring compressors, but I think you'll have difficulty getting the strut top nut off unless you have a windy gun.

But, once the nut is off you'll be able to lower the hub with a jack.

A windy gun would certainly get the shock nut off, but I'd be surprised if there's enough movement in the lower control arm to allow it to disengage the spring without damaging the bushes. (I wouldn't just want a jack under it in case it slipped)

This thread reminded me and I've just plumped for a set of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm173075927844

I'll let you know if they're less terrifying than the super cheap type. I'd half considered splashing out on the proper bench-mounted type like the below, but I haven't the room with an engine crane and 5T press kicking about, and it's twice the price and unlikely to get much use!



https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/strut-compressor/

[meb90]

Fair enough, you make a good point. Having never done it that way, I couldn't say whether its doable!

I like the look of that machine mart compressor! But alas, I don't have a space big enough (nor would I use it enough) for it

[PaulKemp]

Look I’ve done this job several times, I’ve also recently taken the bottom track control arms off and replaced them whilst leaving the struts in place.
I have several large trolly jacks, big levers and a cousin who works on heavy lorry’s who has huge muscles.
Spring compressors are cheap and easy compared with what your going to try

[NDNDNDND]

Out of interest, what typically the limits the maximum droop of a MacPherson strut? Does it just rely on the maximum extension of the strut? Or is there another limit-stop of sorts built into the suspension?

[PaulKemp]

The maximum droop of the strut is typically limited by the strut tube/rod however the lower suspension arm usually prevents full droop thus he problem getting the strut off without spring compressors as you need 2 to 3 inches to slide the bottom of the strut out of the hub carrier

[Zoobeef]

I've done a good few with jubilee clips when I've been stuck at work with my clamps at home.