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Thread: Homemade Spring Compressor

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Seattle, Wa
    Posts
    290

    Default Homemade Spring Compressor

    Any site(s) with instructions and material list for making a spring compressor for the E34?

    TIA

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Honolulu
    Posts
    3,105

    Default Which Spring?

    valve, suspension or piston return


    Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    5,403

    Default

    suspension most likely

    Although we built a double valve spring compressor recently lol

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario
    Posts
    2,538

    Default

    Easy. You'll need:

    1) Tennis court
    2) Wall or other solid object ~2.5-3' from the court. I've used planter boxes and sides of condos.
    3) A quiet day when nobody is playing tennis

    Now, squeeze the strut/shock assembly in between the solid object and the tennis court fence, ensuring the top bolt is easily accesible from INSIDE the court. Next, get inside the court (remember to wear not-marking, non-slip, comfortable shoes) and turn the top nut off, just as you would with a professional tool. Next, observe how much you flinch and how far the fence actually caves when the bolt finally busts loose.

    OR, you can rent a real one for ~$10.

    I don't condone use of the first 'tool' described

    Dave

    10/90 Build 525im, 630,000+km, Eibach/Sachs, Engine Rebuild
    *RIP Oskar the DOG *

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    East Brunswick, New Jersey
    Posts
    879

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JMI
    Any site(s) with instructions and material list for making a spring compressor for the E34?

    TIA
    Why the trouble? Go to Autozone and borrow them for free.
    '01 540it, 6/01
    '03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
    '10 535ix. 9/09
    '10 mini 6 speed
    '15 mini countryman 6 speed

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Honolulu
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    3,105

    Default bought a cheap one

    off of Ebay for less than $20.00, when I dropped in the Eibachs.


    Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    1,235

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JMI
    Any site(s) with instructions and material list for making a spring compressor for the E34?

    TIA
    I used a tow strap once, for the rears. Just cranked it down by hand, one side at a time. Wrapped it over the top and bottom coils. Didn't lose any fingers so I count it as a success... though I like Dave's method better.
    Robin

    72 Chevy K10
    01 E39 M5

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,027

    Default

    i don't recall a site with directions but google will find it for you in .0314 seconds

    i'd use a few pieces of all thread, some nuts, some steel hooks, and an acetylene torch
    1994 540ia|Oxford Green Metallic|Lemforder|KYB in H&R|18" OE Staggered M-Parallel with Pirelli P-Zero

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    9,249

    Default

    It is dangerous when it breaks or slips (the selfmade one). That spring can injure you.
    Buy one for your car or rent one.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Sydney Oz
    Posts
    251

    Default

    That spring can kill you - not just injure you.

    I paid $28 for one.

    '90 E34 M5
    '89 E34 535i
    '74 R90S
    MB 560SEC
    '74 Jensen Interceptor
    '54++ VW Subaru Turbo hybrid
    etc

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