OTC7045B Front Coil Spring Compressor

Works great. It's the right tool for front springs on 82-92 GM F body. Expensive for how often you will ever use it in the field, but it's one of those tools you're glad for when need arises.

Works well, seems a lot safer than most.

I have to admit, I had a hard time parting with the cost of this tool. That said, once it arrived and I actually saw the design and strength of the tool, I realized there would probably be no better alternative on the market. Considering the pressure the spring is under when compressed, I now could not imagine using any lesser tool. This is not the kind of job to trust to cheap Harbor Freight tools from China! In the end, we replaced all 4 coils on 2 cars and it worked fantastically. It's fairly easy to maneuver the coil into place and I felt comfortable handling the springs when outside the vehicle doing the compression and while unloading the tension. It does take some arm strength to turn the center nut when the coil is significantly compressed. But, it was quite manageable.There's a good reason this tool is specified by part number in the Ford service manuals I have for my car. I can definitely see where dealers would recommend nothing less for the safety of their mechanics.In the end, you'll have a quality tool you'll likely use again and still do the job for less than the dealer. I wish I'd had this years ago when fixing up past cars and a truck I had.

I have used this compressor several times now and I love how SAFE and easy it is to use. I have used just about every type of compressor made and hated all of them. I always feared that they wouldn't hold and at least of couple of them didn't and caused great pain to my body.This type of compressor is extremely safe, easy to use and it WORKS.It cost more then the cheap ones but I assure you it is worth every dollar spent.

This tool definitely has some good features like the thrust washer for the pulling bolt, the long bolt itself and the nut. The ball socket anchors are good too. Where it lacks considerably is in the pulling plates design. They are flat straight across with no compensation for the height difference across the spring coils. As a result they have an uneven pull as you tighten the tool and tend to spin around the coils. The directions say to hold the screw with a wrench to keep the whole thing from turning. That unfortunately is very difficult to do and puts you too close to this loaded spring. It is already a dangerous task made even more so by putting you even closer to that loaded spring. The quality is very good but the plates could definitely be designed much better. I installed springs in a 94 Chevy C1500 pickup and ended up using the ABN tool to do the job. This OTC tool didn’t work for me.

I've used all different types of spring compressors over the years and this one is by far is the easiest and feels the safest of them all. It's a bit on the pricey side but dealing with coil springs is not the time to cheap out. I compressed big block springs for my Chevelle with ease. It also compressed with little to no bend in the spring which made it easy to put in place. Once compressed and in the correct orientation, I used a floor jack under the control arm to give it just another inch of compression. Put on my ball joint nuts and removed the compressor. BUY THIS if you want a safe and somewhat easy spring replacement project.

These are a great design and work well I installed new big block springs in a 1969 chevelle and still have all my fingers

I have done springs many ways over the years, with and without spring compressors, I even manage to get some springs for a 455 big block with AC springs into my parents 1971 Buick with a small-block and no ac :) ....I did that one without a compressor !...anyway, the tool is a bit aggravating if you're trying not to scratch the paint on the springs and control arms....you kind of have to find your inner octopus to get everything lined up and properly seated but one you have it down, it goes pretty smooth. I was was able to cut my install time in half from one side to the next on my 69 Olds. Better have a 1-1/4 " wrench handy cuz there's no using an impact on this if you start the screw in the wrong spot ( I kind preferred turning by hand since its less violent) Close your eyes and hope the spring Q/C guy was awake while you're clamping up those coils !! I wasn't worried about the tool, its made in THE USA !! (even the bearing) I was more afraid of finding that one bad coil spring....that hard way ! Expensive but worth the investment.I had pictures ....how do I post those ?