Installing bilstien struts warning! Harbor freight Spring compres

Matte454 · May 13, 2013

Just a warning I thought I would share. The harbor freight automotive spring compressor cannot compress our trucks springs! I broke both sides of the spring compressor at once trying to compress it. Luckily the end bolt was still on and I had 2 ratchet straps also securing it. Probably going to pay someone to do it.!

DaveH71 · May 13, 2013

LoL don't buy anything from harbor freight that your life might depend on. I guess i really don't need to tell you that though. There is a reason there garbage is so cheap.

MikeNH · May 13, 2013

Harbor Fright and the similar places all sell lousy china junk that has zero quality. Glad you weren't hurt.

TimmyG · May 13, 2013

Doesn't autozone rent those for free?

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SILVERADOSC540 · May 14, 2013

Their tools are junk. That being said, I own some of them. Lifetime warranty on Pittsburgh tools, so I have a couple of wrenches and such. Nothing that could kill me I might add. Bought a three ton jack for $69.00, made the summer/winter wheel swap a bit easier. Also buy their black 9 mil nitrile gloves, great for working on the truck, detailing, and work. Also wear them under winter gloves to keep hands from drying out. The guys at work give me a hard time about my "soft, girly hands", but my wife likes them alot more...

Mossyoakglock · May 14, 2013

I've heard people have been able to use the Sears spring compressors on our truck's springs.

Which bilsteins are you going with?

Matte454 · May 14, 2013

I'm going with bilstien 5100s, the problem was just trying to clamp the original strut and coilover. I don't have autozone up here to borrow a tool from, I'm doubting if I went to the states that they would loan it out of country lol.

Matte454 · May 14, 2013

As for the life depending on it I'm just glad I had the other precautions in place. Not too often to see two chunks of cast metal fail together. Live and learn. Wondering if sears or Canadian tire have better ones?

Daryl LBZ · May 14, 2013

As for the life depending on it I'm just glad I had the other precautions in place. Not too often to see two chunks of cast metal fail together. Live and learn. Wondering if sears or Canadian tire have better ones?

I have a set of them from Sears. They seem pretty solid.

jarettg · May 17, 2013

i attempted to use a set from princess auto yesterday and they wouldn't move half an inch. when we were taking them off they snapped in half, i am just going to spend the $100 and take it to a shop that knows what their doing.