anybody else used these? i might get a pair for when i do my suspension because the ones i've used from orielly's to fix a bent shock were meant to slip inside of the spring, which didn't work so hot on the miata as you can imagine.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43753

 

On M.net one owner (Mad Swede I think) said he had problems fitting it over the spring. I once borrowed one from a friend, it sure looks the same, and while it takes a little fussing it works fine. When it came time to actually buy one I cheaped out on the sticks o' death and had no problems with them. If I were to be working on a pickup truck or something I would go with the big guns, but the Miata suspension doesn't scare me anymore. I just remove the shock/spring unit, throw a towel over the nut on the end and step on it while I lossen it. It might move a whole 1 1/2 feet when it pops off.

 

if you have factory suspension you do not need a compressor, i ve done this many times, just lay the assembly down and step on it and voila

 

The loaner tools from Auto Zone and Advance Auto work fine for me.

 

+1

 

I've got that compressor. I couldn't get it to work single handedly on my R B springs. Might be O.K with 2 people or some way to anchor it to a bench. I bought a pair of sticks and they work fine. Would be willing to sell the clamshell one for $20 but it's heavy and wouldn't be worth shipping.

 

$20 death sticks from advance auto ftw.

 

+1. Pain(from when they slip) builds character.

If you get them and they work OK, let us know.

 

I have some Craftsman compressors, they work great for both the Miata and my WRX. All my friends know I have them so they'll used more than twice.

 

Suicide sticks. Honestly, I'd just buy new shocks, coilover sleeves, and NB upper mounts and throw the entire stock setup away without even dismantling it.

 

Looks like somebody is made of money...

 

The key is to not be in the way of the tophat. Stick those things in a vice and NOT stand in front of the hat when working on them. I just put enough load on the compressor to relax the spring off the hat which isn't much if the compressor decides to fail on me.

 

I dunno dude that **** looks to big to work.

 

yeah these look more capable now that i think about it

http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip,.../selectZip.htm

 

I have THESE Spring compressors from Harbor freight. They're a bit of a pain but the work fine.

 

Look like the ones from autozone. Hope you have an impact wrench, makes it alot quicker.

 

Yeah it took like 2 hours to do it with a ratchet. impact gun FTW