Tech Question - Coil Spring Compression

Mike,

I need a new set of front springs for my car but I do not have any way of compressing them. Could you band them before shipping them to me?

Tony

Tony,

You are on the right track knowing that the front coils should be compressed before installing them. However there is a problem with what you request.

You did not say what your ride is but on the average front coil springs have a rate in and around 300 Lbs. per Inch. Most front coils have to be compressed between 2.5 and 3 Inches to install them. So when a coil is compressed enough to get it installed, it is packing somewhere around750 and 900 Lbs. of force. Should, somehow the banding ever come loose during shipping, someone could get very seriously injured with the sudden release of energy.

This energy also sometimes gets away from people who use a jack to install coils instead of a spring compressor. Some get away with it and some don't. Make no mistake; Never Never Never use a jack to compress a spring. If anything slips or lets go, that spring won't even notice the tiny bit of resistance it encounters as it removes your hand at the wrist, or worse.

Most auto parts stores will rent coil spring compressors, so take advantage of their service and save your extremities for other uses.

-Mike