Sometimes it is necessary to compress the suspension spring without removing it from the car. For this you need zip ties. In a simple case, two or more rods equipped with so-called hooks can serve as ties. The hooks with their hooks cling to the spring from the outside. All ties are usually placed on opposite sides of the spring. And then, by turning the threaded rods with a wrench, you can easily perform compression.
Of course, there is special equipment used when repairing cars of a certain brand. To compress springs, however, universal ties are more often used. The appearance of these devices is shown in the figure:
Branded spring ties
It is clear that a set of universal zip ties can be bought in a store. However, the cost of such equipment is higher than the price of all the components in total.
We cook the screeds ourselves
In general, it makes sense to make shock absorber spring ties yourself. How to do this is discussed further.
Four nuts and two threaded rods
The metal products listed below are easy to find in almost any supermarket. For example, you can buy two M16 threaded rods. You will also need four extended nuts, as well as a steel plumbing pipe. Its internal diameter is 16-16.5 mm.
The end result is what is shown in the pictures. You will also need a steel rod, which is used to make reinforcement. Let's look at how screeds are made:
- Two identical cylinders are cut from the pipe, the length of which is 80-120 mm;
- Threaded rods can be shortened if necessary;
- 8 rods approximately 30 cm long are made from reinforcement;
- Using any bending equipment, the rods are bent to obtain hooks;
- Four rods are welded to two nuts, another four - to pipe sections;
- Set of components for at this stage completely ready to use.
It is easier to weld by placing the workpieces on a plane. The essence of these words is illustrated by the picture:
How to weld hook rods
Actually, what follows is a film where the technology is shown “inside and out”. The author even solved the problem with the lack bending machine: to bend one rod, you need two similar rods welded to a steel profile.
If the reader thinks that using welding is difficult, then it is better not to take risks. Welded joints can withstand significant loads, but only if they are performed according to all the rules. Spring ties can be made without welding. A suitable drawing is given below.
Two ties in 10 minutes (video)
How should the spring be tightened?
Let's list the steps involved in tightening the shock absorber springs yourself. Everything looks simple:
- When the body is supported by a jack, two ties are brought to the spring from opposite sides;
- By rotating the nuts with your hands, you achieve confident engagement of the hooks and springs;
- Using a wrench, the nuts on different rods are rotated in turn;
- It is better to play it safe and secure the compressed spring with straps or wire.
Video of spring tensioners on shock absorber
No explanation required here. The result is shown in the photo.
Spring compressed by ties
When using homemade and even purchased equipment, follow these simple tips:
- Before using ties, threaded connections are lubricated with cyatim or grease;
- The ties cannot be removed from the compressed spring, even if it is additionally fixed;
- When carrying out work, exercise maximum caution. It is better to sacrifice body parts than your own health.
Features of the suspension of Lifan cars are discussed in these articles:
Drawings of universal threaded ties
Let's return to the question of how to make a device for tightening shock absorber springs yourself. Shown below appearance ready-made devices:
Factory-made threaded ties
On one side of the rod there is a left-hand thread, on the other - a right-hand thread. The standard thread pitch is M18. But buying threaded rods is not enough here. And to cut the thread yourself, you will need special equipment.
Drawings of the components that make up the entire structure are shown here:
Threaded tie (3 parts)
To make parts, you need a turning, drilling and, probably, milling machine. It may be easier to contact a workshop. Print the drawing by downloading it from the website.
Most likely, there are no other drawings of universal ties on the Internet. And what is shown above is taken from a book on repairing domestic cars. You can use it.
Let's say the ties were made according to the drawings and all the parts fit together. But even then the advice about using lubricant remains valid. You need to take solid oil or cyatim and apply this material to the threads of the nuts.
Packaging cyatim-201, 20 gr.
Cyatim-201 lubricant is a rather expensive material. You can reduce consumption by mixing it with machine oil in a 50/50 ratio. Good luck.
When repairing or adjusting a car's suspension, it becomes necessary to fix the spring in a certain position.
There is a service tool for this work: a spring puller, with which you can remove chassis elements both in a specialized workshop and in garage conditions.
Various tool concepts:
Let's consider the second option in more detail.
How does a spring remover work, and what types are they?
What is a puller used for? It overcomes the straightening force of the springs. The applied force on the puller brackets is commensurate with the weight of the car, but this does not mean that its design is too expensive and high-tech.
There are many options, but they are divided into only two types: mechanical and hydraulic drive.
Mechanical spring remover
Most often it has a threaded drive mechanism. 
With a sufficient diameter of the pin (providing a good gear ratio on the thread), and a long handle of the key, you can compress the springs manually without excessive effort.
The technology is as follows: two pullers are symmetrically put on the rack. By turning the threaded rod, you bring the claws to the middle of the spring directly on the shock absorber, compressing it to the required size.
Important: Why can’t a mechanical puller be used alone? When compressed, the spring bends; it is impossible to control this process.
Installing one puller on a spring will cause it to break.
Pullers placed on both sides ensure uniform compression. When working with the suspension of trucks or heavy SUVs, experienced craftsmen install 3 or even 4 pullers.
Correct installation spring pullers
Semi-permanent racks
Service stations often use semi-permanent struts to remove springs from shock absorber struts. 
The tool is quite universal and fits most pendants. Thanks to the drive mechanism gearbox, working with it is convenient and safe.
The only drawback is that it is not always possible to compress the spring directly on the car. After all, this is a bench device: the puller works with the suspension removed from the car.
Popular: A do-it-yourself clamp makes the craftsman’s work easier and saves him money
Lever type
Pullers have a similar “problem” lever type. The mechanism is reliable and safe, but its dimensions do not allow it to fit into the space under the wing of the car. 
Hydraulic puller
Can be portable or stationary. It works on the principle of a jack: there is a main and a working cylinder. By pumping liquid using a lever handle, the operator compresses the power brackets, between which there is a spring. 
The compact two-section puller can also become an assistant in home garage, but here is the floor one stationary machine Only suitable for car service. 
Pressure in hydraulic system pressurized using a foot lever. At the same time, the car mechanic’s hands are free, it is convenient and safe to work.
Of course, there are pullers with compressors, electric drives, and other devices that make life easier when servicing a car. This is all good until you see the price tag.
Sometimes it is more profitable to visit a car service center several times than to purchase an industrial puller for personal use. Which exit? Make your own instrument.
Manufacturing a shock absorber spring remover
Many car enthusiasts use a regular chain: they wind a few turns around the coils of the spring and tighten the chain. After lifting the car with a jack, the shock absorber strut is stretched, but the spring remains compressed. This is a dangerous method: if the chain slips, the spring may spring back and cause serious injury.
How to make a simple puller similar to an industrial one
A mechanical semi-stationary “machine” can be created from a “Volgovsky” jack.
Materials used:
Drill, grinder, file, welding machine- such a set is either in the garage or available from a neighbor for a couple of beers. A platform from a corner is assembled to the top of the jack (where the turntable with the gearbox is located). Then a bracket according to the size of the support cup is welded to it. 
We screw the connecting rod to the standard support arm of the jack; the shock absorber strut will fit into it. 
No need to worry about the strength of the structure. The jack lifts the car, the connecting rod also withstands a huge load. And to strengthen cantilever design bracket, weld rods from the shock absorber rods. 
The puller is universal: the length of the shock absorber allows you to service any racks for passenger cars, as well as most SUVs. 
The next spring remover, which is easy to make with your own hands, is a tightening type. Suitable for small sizes springs, since it is unrealistic to develop a large force on such a device. 
The components are even more affordable than in the previous design. A piece of pipe, an angle and a long bolt M14 - M18. You can use a hairpin.
We weld brackets from a corner and sawn pieces of an inch pipe. The puller consists of two identical ties, so there should be four brackets. 
Be sure to weld the guide bushings for the studs. Otherwise, when tightening, the brackets will jam. 
The spring is tightened by synchronously tightening the nuts on the studs. If you use a set of 2 ties, they should be installed strictly symmetrically.
Reading time: 4 minutes.
In order to tighten the shock absorber springs with your own hands, you need to purchase a puller and follow the simplest instructions. Then this process will become easy and accessible to everyone in the garage.
Quite often it happens that the shock absorbers on a car wear out or fail. This is not surprising, and there can be many reasons for such consequences. In this case, every car owner is faced with a number of troubles and the only solution may be to replace the shock absorbers.
You can do this at a service center or in your garage, but this will require spring tensioners (some call them shock absorber coils), which require a special puller, as well as some knowledge and skills.
How does a shock absorber work?
A mandatory component of every shock absorber is a spring. There are now all sorts of progressive types of this mechanism, such as oil or pneumatic, but the design of each of them includes the same spiral element, which helps to maintain a given level of the car above the ground, and also facilitates work when there is a load on the shock-absorbing device itself.
Quite often it happens that the shock absorber is in in perfect order, while the spring element has worn out, lost the necessary rigidity or has completely burst. In this case, it needs urgent replacement, which can be done with your own hands only if you have a puller.
Exists back side medals, when everything is in perfect order with the spring, but you need to carry out renovation work with the shock absorber itself, in this case the puller will be indispensable.
What is a puller
Puller, this special device, which allows compression of the shock absorber springs so that repair work can continue in the future. Variations of this device There are many, but the most common puller for springs is two metal slats with threads cut along their entire length and hooks fixed on both sides, which, when turned, go towards each other. Those. when you need to compress the springs, you just need to turn the rack, and the fixed hooks will tighten the spring.
There is an even more simplified puller method - a belt puller. In this case, two “frogs” are used with durable fabric belts tucked into them. The belts are thrown onto the upper and lower coils of the springs, then the car owner begins to work with “frogs”, pressing each one in turn. Subsequently, these actions tighten the belts, and the “spiral” begins to tighten, after which repair work can be carried out.
Spring tightening process
Let's start with the fact that the pullers described above are not the only ones of their kind; there are several other configurations of this device; you can also make it yourself or simply buy it. However, without it, the screed will be a complete nightmare and an almost impossible task.
When starting to perform this operation, it is necessary, first of all, to remove the strut with the shock absorber, having first placed the car on a jack and securely fixed it.
Next, the puller is attached to the upper and lower coils of the springs, and manual work begins. Depending on the operating principle of your puller, you will either rotate some element of it, or, as in the case of the “frog,” alternately work with two pedals.
At this point, the tie can be considered complete; the main thing to remember is that you should not compress the spring completely, increasing the risk of breakage of both the spring itself and the compression device. It is enough to simply release the element you need from the pressure and repair or replace the shock-absorbing mechanism.
As for the use of a puller, it is designed to facilitate the entire repair process, because without it you would not only have to fix the stand with a vice, but also make enormous efforts to compress the springs; someone would need to hold them while you work on the entire mechanism etc.
In addition, by using this device, you make the repair process safe for yourself, practically eliminating the chance of spring failure.
Conclusion
The process of tightening shock absorber springs is a measure that every driver faces who wants to repair shock absorbers with his own hands, rather than take his “iron horse” to a car service center. However, without a puller, it is not that it is completely impossible to carry out this operation, but it will be accompanied by a lot of difficulties and a fairly high risk for a person. If you use such a simple and inexpensive device for screeding, the risk is immediately minimized, and the work process itself becomes easy and fast.
One of the main procedures when repairing the front suspension is replacing the struts. This applies to vehicles with MacPherson strut suspension when the strut is assembled. That is, the strut consists of a shock absorber, a spring and a support with a cup. All this is secured with a nut that is screwed onto the shock absorber rod. As a result, the strut is in constant “combat readiness” when the spring is working for compression and the shock absorber is working for tension.
But in this article we want to talk not about the work of the struts, but about how difficult it is sometimes for car enthusiasts to remove the spring. The thing is that the spring on the strut is quite powerful, which means its compression force is very large. As a result, when unscrewing the nut on the rod, the spring may “shoot”, which can lead to injury. Moreover, during reassembly, the question will arise of how to assemble the strut back, that is, compress the spring. To help car enthusiasts in this case, they mainly offer all kinds of spring pullers. This is usually a system of pins with hooks or washers. As a result, the springs are tightened by twisting the nut along the stud. This method of removing springs is quite viable, however, it also has its drawbacks. The main one is that it takes a long time to tighten and unscrew the nuts on the stud. In this article, we would like to offer you another alternative that copes with this task perfectly, while requiring much less effort from the mechanic.
A device for quickly disassembling racks and replacing (compressing) the springs on them in the garage with your own hands
The operating principle of this device is based on increasing torque by changing the shoulder of force application. It can be said to be a classic solution for most cases in mechanics. So the support points will be the wall, to which the shoulder is attached with a console, and the stand, or rather the spring. Here the forces applied to the stand will depend on the length of the arm lever. In fact, these are the handles of our device. You can simply sit on them and human weight is quite enough to compress the spring. Take a look at the picture.
And now, in order, how the replacement will take place, removing the spring from the strut. Initially, it is necessary to spread the arms of the device and install it on the cup above the spring. Next, we bring the shoulders together and fix them, for example, with a piece of pipe.
Then we simply sit on the pipe and thereby compress the spring. The force on the spring can be adjusted with your own body by sitting on the lever a little further or closer to the rack. Unscrew the nut holding the swivel support and the spring cup.
We carefully stand up, thereby relieving the compression stress on the spring itself, which is still installed on the rack. After straightening the spring, remove it from the rack.
We install and compress the new spring in the reverse order.
Summarizing the spring puller...
It must be said that the use of such a device is justified especially in cases where spring replacement on racks of this type occurs frequently. These are mainly car services. It should also be noted that the device is universal. It can be used to remove springs from the struts of any car, actually changing the height of the arm with which the spring is pressed. The work associated with removing and replacing the spring when using such a device will be significantly simplified, which is perhaps the determining factor when deciding whether to manufacture something similar in your garage.
The article will tell you how to make a useful device for every car and motorcycle enthusiast with your own hands.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to go through old shock absorbers and replace the oil seal or other worn parts. True, for this they need to be disassembled, and it is not so easy to remove the springs from them and install them back after repair. Of course, there is a large selection of ready-made, factory-made pullers on sale, but they cost quite a lot, and the need to use them does not arise so often.
Here are the types of factory pullers:
The design of the puller presented in the article is extremely simplified, as they say “everything ingenious is simple!”
To create the device you will need:
- Hairpin and nuts for it;
(the thickness of the pin depends on the thickness of the springs that will need to be removed; the author used a 12mm thick pin)
- Two crescents on a stiletto heel;
- Tube according to the diameter of the stud;
- Bulgarian;
- Welding machine.
First you need to cut two pieces of hairpin required length, the more, the more universal the puller will be.
The following platforms are welded to the crescents to increase the area of contact with the spring:
On the other side of the puller, a bracket like this is put on. A spring retainer is welded onto a tube of suitable diameter. The bracket does not have threaded connections, and slides freely along the hairpin:
To compress the spring, a nut is screwed over the bracket and tightened until the spring is compressed to the desired level.
Here are photos of the finished puller. As you can see, the mechanism works.
