Coil spring compressor help?

I've tried both the internal and external coli spring compressors available at the local parts store with no luck. The internal unit has a shaft that runs down through the middle (beyond the bottom of the sping and interferes with the lower spring perch. The external one has shafts that extend when the sping is compresed and bottom out in the upper part of the shock tower. Anyone have lead on a type that actually works for the Mav or am I just missing something simple. Help?

 

this is the one i used...Auto Zone
...Frank...

 

The kind I used had a shaft in the center(thru spring type), one end of it had the spring grabbing "fingers" on it, and the other end had a hex head on it ,it also used cast piece that the shaft kinda slides into. Sorry, I'm not a good explainator most of the time, I know that what I used on my car, I barrowed from a bodyman at work.

EDIT:
Yeah that's the one!! I guess that pic came up while I was typing.

 

I used the same one Frank posted but I had to add a stack of washers on the shaft to keep from interfering with the lower control arm

 

The internal model that I tried looked like the one that Frank posted except that it had two pair of the "hooks" that opposed each other. The flat cast piece looks like it would be much more functional on the bottom half. Road trip.. Thanks, Todd

 

i used that one just this evening. it workedfine. But i preferred the external type cause i can get to the bolts with air tools and presto-chango!

 

I used the same on also, it can be a struggle, the factory springs are pretty big, you just have to get that spoon like thing as far at the top of the spring as possible, the first one was a pain for me, the second went much better.

 

That sounds like the one I used. First one compressed and came out easy, then just as it cleared the a arm, it let loose! Dang near hit my son who was easing the spring out [I was standing in the engine bay easing it down to him]. The second one was a PITA, every time I would get it nearly compressed, it would jump off. After about 5 or 6 tries, we finaly got it out. That reminds me, I couldn't bolt my shocks back up after I cut the springs since I didn't have the motor in at that time, got to do that before I do the disc swap. Don't ask me why I didn't do the change when I cut the springs, brain fart I guess.

 

Why 'dat ..i think the whole car was built before the motor was installed.

"Bobbys' friend Frank...

 

I use the internal type and turn it upside down. you have to use a open end wrench to turn it, but if you pre compress the spring with a floor jack it doesn't take many turns to compress it. Hope this helps.

 

I used same as Frank. Used a jack under the lower arm to compress the spring most of the way. I then held my breathe until it was out. These things are scary!

 

Also...I did mine twice, got sick of it, and cut the bottom coil off my springs. Now I just jack up the car, drop the tire take out the shock, and just "unscrew" (spin the spring counterclockwise) and it pops right out. I will never need compressors again, but I also ended up with quite a low ride height.

This way is not scary anymore. (except when I drive over speedbumps )

 

you cheated...you took the spring cover off...

great pics...thanks

...Frank...

 

Thanks guys. It struck me on the ride home from work today that I could flip the internal compressor over and it would've worked. I re-rented on the way and should have it licked tomorrow. Disc brakes here I come!