Difficulty Getting Front Strut Spring Compressed Enough to Put Strut Back Together

[vinceinIL]

Well, as the longish title of the post says, I can't seem to get the spring compressed enough to get the strut back together on a 2000 528i touring with the Sport Suspension. I've tried both the regular regular long screw style spring compressors, and the clamp style from Harbor Freight. The piston rod from the strut extends about 6" out from the top of the strut housing, and trying to pull it out further doesn't bring it out much.

Comments on how to get this bad boy back together so I can put the strut back in the car and get it on the road again are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Vince

[StephenVA]

See Ross1' offer to use his wall mounted spring compressor. It will make the job simple and quick. The key is slow even compression from multiple spacing. I do not have the tool shown so I used 4 DIY worm drive strut tools. PITA as these cars have variable rate springs (wide in the middle and tight at the ends) requiring a systematic approach.

[Aubergine]

See Ross1' offer to use his wall mounted spring compressor. It will make the job simple and quick. The key is slow even compression from multiple spacing. I do not have the tool shown so I used 4 DIY worm drive strut tools. PITA as these cars have variable rate springs (wide in the middle and tight at the ends) requiring a systematic approach.

Search CL. I ended up buying a wall mounted compressor for $200 and the saved hassle was worth every penny. The HF compressors kind of work but aren't great for these cars.

[TiagE39]

Seconded. In my experience, I got the sport springs to compress enough with the HF clamshell spring compressor since they're about 3/4" shorter than the standard springs, but it was very tight. Getting the top mount nut to grab with all the hardware on it was tricky. HF compressor on standard springs was pretty much impossible - you could get the spring and top mount to screw together but the added compression would cause the compressor to get caught in the bottom end of the spring winding.

If you plan to do struts on more than two cars, a wall mount compressor is worth the money spent and time saved. They're also much, much safer to use.

[jp5Touring]

I had to use three of the worm drive style to compress it with two people. It's sketchy at best doing it.
You might check with a shop and see if they would swap them out for a few bucks. I think others have done that.

[vinceinIL]

Planning a visit to Ross' place tomorrow... Thanks for all the great info!

Vince

[vinceinIL]

Meant to reply sooner, but car has been wanting more attention....

Ross is THE Guy! His compressor makes this job look much easier than it should be. So much easier that now I want to do the other side to make them even.

Vince

[Aubergine]

Meant to reply sooner, but car has been wanting more attention....

Ross is THE Guy! His compressor makes this job look much easier than it should be. So much easier that now I want to do the other side to make them even.

Vince

Awesome!!