How much can you compress coil springs?

STEVE CLOUTIER

MEMBER
1999 JAGUAR XJ8
4.0L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
10,000 MILES

Can they be compressed to no space between coils? Rear shocks.

Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 8:32 AM

7 Replies

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

You can put the springs on a press and have it pressed to that point. However it should not be like so when in the vehicle.
What issues are you having?
Is your springs bottoming out?
Let me know a little bit more information and I will be happy to assist.
Thank you.

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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 9:29 AM

STEVE CLOUTIER

MEMBER
13 POSTS

Changing rear shocks. Shocks are inside the spring, so I had to remove the springs. I had pry the springs out after compressing them as far as I felt I should.

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Friday, September 10th, 2021 AT 6:41 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Got it. It's fine to compress them all the way during replacement. You just don't want the springs to stay that way for extended period of time.

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Friday, September 10th, 2021 AT 9:55 AM

STEVE CLOUTIER

MEMBER
13 POSTS

Would you compress these using strut compressors?

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Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 AT 7:53 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Yes, that type of spring compress toll will work.
Just remember when you use these spring compressors, you want to turn each one of the arm few turns at a time. Do few turns on one then few on the other, back and forth. You don't want to compress one of the arms too much as it can have uneven pressure and pop out.