Affordable spring compressor - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Trob85 · 06-20-2016, 07:56 PM

Who makes an affordable valve spring compressor or what did you use to change them?

pyroguy · 06-20-2016, 08:30 PM

I hear Harbor Freight has a cheap one. You could also borrow one from your local parts store.

Trob85 · 06-20-2016, 08:33 PM

I've heard the borrow one from parts store don't reach. That was my plan though.

xc_SS/RS · 06-20-2016, 09:58 PM

I think mine is a crane tools valve spring compressor and it was 75 from summit. It works perfectly

VvtBEAST · 06-21-2016, 05:46 AM

The one advanced auto parts carries works (c-clamp) but its barley big enough and requires a death grip to get the springs compressed enough to install the keepers, but it does work. And its free (deposit only)

Soybeanrice · 06-21-2016, 08:08 AM

I drilled a hole into a piece of steel (flat enough to fit under the car, was a tight fit). I used big washers and nuts to compress the piece of steel over the spring by getting a couple bolts that thread into the rocker holes. Of course the hole I drilled into the steel was big enough to push the spring down and allow me to put the keepers in at the same time.

I bought cheap grade bolts for the rocker holes because I would rather the bolt bend than the head break of course and I did end up bending two bolts after finishing all 16.

Overall the cost was like 7 bucks in bolts, washers and nuts. However, it was much more of a PITA. Get the tool... I'm going to end up getting one for sure.

Gearheaded · 06-21-2016, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xc_SS/RS

I think mine is a crane tools valve spring compressor and it was 75 from summit. It works perfectly

Yup! Crane's is fantastic and works perfect

WHAMMO · 06-23-2016, 07:28 PM

Trickflows makes one that works fantastic!

JerTM · 06-23-2016, 07:41 PM

Which style are you looking for? I have a couple of these I used to change my valve springs. I did have to grind a place for the retainers to sit so they would stay in but they worked good enough for the price.
http://m.harborfreight.com/universal....google.com%2F

1lehunter · 06-23-2016, 07:51 PM

This mite do the job.....looks pretty solid.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...sor/ES2918793/
I get my vw maintnance supplies from ECS.

JerTM · 06-23-2016, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1lehunter

This mite do the job.....looks pretty solid.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...sor/ES2918793/
I get my vw maintnance supplies from ECS.

Some massive valve springs to use that.

HOJO · 06-23-2016, 09:44 PM

Haha it's a strut spring compressor

Soybeanrice · 06-23-2016, 10:32 PM

that universal spring compressor wont work. it has clearance issues

JerTM · 06-23-2016, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soybeanrice

that universal spring compressor wont work. it has clearance issues

It worked just fine on all of mine.

06-20-2016, 07:56 PM	#1
Trob85 Svt lol Drives: 2011 ss inferno orange blown Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Topeka Posts: 2,312	Affordable spring compressor Who makes an affordable valve spring compressor or what did you use to change them? __________________ plasti dip is not a mod.......and a cold air intake doesn't make you fast!

06-20-2016, 08:30 PM	#2
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,941 View My Garage	I hear Harbor Freight has a cheap one. You could also borrow one from your local parts store. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

06-20-2016, 08:33 PM	#3
Trob85 Svt lol Drives: 2011 ss inferno orange blown Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Topeka Posts: 2,312	I've heard the borrow one from parts store don't reach. That was my plan though. __________________ plasti dip is not a mod.......and a cold air intake doesn't make you fast!

06-20-2016, 09:58 PM	#4
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	I think mine is a crane tools valve spring compressor and it was 75 from summit. It works perfectly __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53

06-23-2016, 07:28 PM	#8
WHAMMO Drives: 13' 1LE Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,643	Trickflows makes one that works fantastic! __________________ 13' 1LE Old setup: TSP 231-236/Tick 660/.105 PR, UDP, SW LT 2'' & HFC, stock NPP & H pipe, VR-DRX CAI, air scoop, Goertz1 manifold, 102mm BBK, 26" Toyo DRs, Forgestars R17x10 & F18x8, rear seat delete, remote Pat G tune Autocal, 7400 limiter, Spec Mini Twin. 91oct. 11.90@122.3, 0-60ft 2.0 / 11.99@123.6, 0-60ft 2.1 DA+819 ...519RWHP SAE Solid roller SBE LS3, FED, LLSR, 91oct, 605rwhp N/A. Tuned by Pat G. Build by me.

06-21-2016, 05:46 AM	#5
VvtBEAST Drives: 2011 camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Sarasota Posts: 71	The one advanced auto parts carries works (c-clamp) but its barley big enough and requires a death grip to get the springs compressed enough to install the keepers, but it does work. And its free (deposit only)

06-21-2016, 08:08 AM	#6
Soybeanrice Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 793	I drilled a hole into a piece of steel (flat enough to fit under the car, was a tight fit). I used big washers and nuts to compress the piece of steel over the spring by getting a couple bolts that thread into the rocker holes. Of course the hole I drilled into the steel was big enough to push the spring down and allow me to put the keepers in at the same time. I bought cheap grade bolts for the rocker holes because I would rather the bolt bend than the head break of course and I did end up bending two bolts after finishing all 16. Overall the cost was like 7 bucks in bolts, washers and nuts. However, it was much more of a PITA. Get the tool... I'm going to end up getting one for sure.

06-23-2016, 07:41 PM	#9
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	Which style are you looking for? I have a couple of these I used to change my valve springs. I did have to grind a place for the retainers to sit so they would stay in but they worked good enough for the price. http://m.harborfreight.com/universal....google.com%2F

06-23-2016, 07:51 PM	#10
1lehunter Drives: 2013 1le 2ss rs black Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: North Java Posts: 90	This mite do the job.....looks pretty solid. https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...sor/ES2918793/ I get my vw maintnance supplies from ECS.

06-23-2016, 09:44 PM	#12
HOJO Drives: 2014 Camaro SS/RS 1LE 1967 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 873	Haha it's a strut spring compressor

06-23-2016, 10:32 PM	#13
Soybeanrice Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 793	that universal spring compressor wont work. it has clearance issues