I have 2 RX300's (2001 @ 117K and 2002 @ 110K) and I will be tackling a rear shock rattle soon on my 01. With these mileages I predict I will have ample opportunities soon to perform shock surgery

I'd like any recommendations for reliable, safe, home garage based spring compressor tool. I've looked at harbor freight (some of them look scary) and a bit on ebay. I'm not looking for the highest end cadillac solution but wan't something that will get me thru a handful of shock changes as I'm planning on driving RX's for a long long time.
BTW -- I will pay more for quality as a disposable tool for spring compression seems a dangerous concept. I'd love a wall mounted one if cost is not significantly higher then separate compressors.

Thanks in advance

 

Weigh the savings and cost and risks before you undertake the job.There are times when it makes sense to pay some one.

A good strong and reliable set of equipment may cost you more than the paying a mechanic. For compressing the springs, you dont need to go the top most specialist. Usually you recoup the cost by reusing the equipment again and again.

There are two kinds of spring compressors that I know of. Newer kind in which you turn ONE nut/bolt to compress three sides and the older one which you tighten 3 equally. It is a slow go process and the compressor tool says NOT TO USE air/electric drivers.

The aggravating part is that when the spring is partially uncompressed the slope of the coil is high and the tool has a hard time to bite into it. Once the spring is compressed then the slope is less and the grab is easy.

From my personal experience I have seen the spring uncoil and it was very scary ... the energy is tremendous.

You will undoubtedly hear from other members who have done this time and again and could be genuinely comfortable undertaking this task.

Last bit of advice is when working under a lifted vehicle, make sure there is some one around.


Salim
ps: Sorry I did not answer the question you were asking, but I felt I needed to share.

 

I did all 4 corners of my 99 RX about 2 years ago. I bought my compressor from Sears; looks just like the one pictured above. It worked well enough that I was able to get the job done without hurting myself or anyone else.