Coil Spring comprressors - Yoke type

[ACR BMW]

Hi all

I'm after a bit of advice for buying a decent set of coil spring compressors.

After replacing a front coil spring on my 2013 BMW F10 using three threaded rod type (Machine Mart) I feel I really should be investing in a better set that is a bit more powerful/secure when I come to do the other side. The front spring took some amount of compression to refit onto the strut.



I have come to the decision that I would be better with a set of yoke type ones.

There appear to be loads of different sets of yoke type compressors, from what I can see they look like they are essentially all the same bits of kits just in different coloured boxes.

Some big name manufacturers do them

Draper ones are around £200 Working capacity of 1000 kg.

Sealey Working capacity of 2500 kg even pricer that the Draper ones but rated much higher.

And them some folk I've never heard of that litter Amazon and ebay with kits that look identical but at a fraction of the price.

Sfeomi Amazon £75

and as an example from the 'bay, which is just one of many to be had around that price.

ebay special under £70

Given how critical these things are, should I spend cash and get the branded manufacturers one or as they all made in the same shed in China with the factory just sticking different manufacturers name on the front of different coloured boxes?

Are they all the same or are the ones at near enough a third of the price, compromised in some way, cheaper steel etc?

What are guys on here using? I can't afford the garage floor space for a stand up type. One that tidies away in a box is preferable.

Thanks

[Burnzyb]

I’ve got a generic eBay set, seem fairly sturdy although I still proceed with caution, so much better than widow makers makes spring changes a breeze.

[ACR BMW]

Thanks for that.


I would still treat it like the loaded shotgun it is tho!

[GreenV8S]

I know somebody who sent a piece of half inch studding out through the brick garage wall, through the cavity brick/block wall of the house, across the lounge and buried it in the far wall. Fortunately it missed all the people, although it did take out the TV on the way through.

[ACR BMW]

^lol yeah, that’s why I want something a bit more robust!

[E-bmw]

Not personally a fan of the "one sided" type.

I use this type, my theory being that if one breaks there is another still holding the spring.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-AK3846-Coil-Spri...

[Burnzyb]

I’ve used those ones you’ve linked, they where what I had previously and apart from the way they can slip round and the amount of time it takes to compress I wouldn’t go back to them, they aren’t as bad as some but still not great.

The one sided ones like I posted those cups that hold the springs are very sturdy and have a lip on the inside to stop the spring from popping off although the springs have never budged once compressed with that tool.

That tool also feels a lot less stressed when in use, it does give a false sense of safety though and as myself and others have said you still need to treat it for what it is.

[Krikkit]

I have the same tool as Burnzy and would echo the same thing - it's 100x less imminent death feeling to use than the usual widow makers, but I still treat it with total paranoia. Very solid things though.