I am looking for some coil spring compressors for my focus estate since the ones I have can't compress my rear springs enough to replace them with some lower ones. Any one got any recommendations?

 

cant you put them on with the car on the ground then jack it up?

 

Presume you've never done any focus estate rear springs?

QUOTE=LewisT;6092320]cant you put them on with the car on the ground then jack it up?[/QUOTE]

Youl be better with the actual compressors that cup the springs but they quite expensive if that's the only job to do.

 

Youl be better with the actual compressors that cup the springs but they quite expensive if that's the only job to do.[/QUOTE]

I have tried and actual set of compressors but still struggle with geting the springs compressed enough to get them off. ive heard of about 4 different ways and none of them has actually worked atm

 

focus rear springs can be prized out with a large prybay.


i have got a cut down set of spring compressors which i use to put the new ones back in

cheeRS nick

 

How much did you cut off the compressor itself in order for it to fit??

I have gotten to the stage now that i have tried every method I can think of to get this done. I am considering do a full bush replacement as well at some point since the in-board bushes have deteriorated and I can not even get the retaining bolts out so I need another method of getting these springs done.

How did you get the springs out using a pry bar?

 

every focus i have come across have got problems with the rear suspention bolts seizing it became a necesity to try and get spring replaced without taking the suspention to bits

a while since i done any. but removing the springs i think the bottom shock bolt has to come out to allow the arm to move down a bit further, then loosely tie a piece of rope around the spring and the bottom arm so it don't damage you or dissapear into the undergrowth when it come out, then use 2 prybars to lift it out from the bottom seat.
i think i cut about 3" off the threads of the spring compressors, it was trial and error just kept cutting them down until they would fit.

it is very tricky and takes me about an hour to do one spring but it is quicker and cheaper than the alternative of cutting the lower arm off and replacing that and the bolts ainst the uncut set i

if i remember tomorrow i will measure them against the uncut set i have and post a picture

cheeRS nick

 

You need to get one of these sets (eBay 110675307073) and take the bottom shocker bolt out to allow to move down further and then clamp the spring. that's the easiest way to do focus back springs DONT try and lever it out as you'll not get it back in.