Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[ArticSteve]

Surprised Crappy loans out a spring compressor.

[HeliDriver]

I borrowed one from CT maybe 7-8 years ago. Some jobs are best left to professionals and I don't think I'd do it again. Worked out fine, but was holding my breath and cringing with the final turns of the wrench. Not fun.

[rrocket]

I borrowed one from CT maybe 7-8 years ago. Some jobs are best left to professionals and I don't think I'd do it again. Worked out fine, but was holding my breath and cringing with the final turns of the wrench. Not fun.

So you'd rather play with a live grenade too?   

[aquadorhj]

i've used spring compressor many times.   no issues.


of course, when you have 100 gallon air compressor and 550 ft/lbs air tools, you only need the spring compressor for like 3 minutes...   

[ArticSteve]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/03/this-is-what-happens-when-a-coil-spring-compressor-fails/


Rick writes: “After replacing the springs on my wife’s trailblazer and nearly killing myself when the spring compressor I was using swung around to the other side, I decided I was going to buy a proper spring compressor. The one I had been using was a two-piece style, but when one of them swung around to the other side, I ended up with a “C” shaped spring.  If that thing had let loose, it could have gone through my skull or something.  I was only able to take them apart when a buddy of mine had [one like the one in the middle above].  Right after that I bought my own.  Not the fastest, but I think it’s relatively safe. And at $30 – it’s a no brainer.”

Rick, I can’t agree more.  I had my own experience with one of the two-piece types when I was swapping springs in one of my Miatas.  In my case it just barely started to slip, then I caught it and loosened it before it came loose.  I managed to recompress it, but ever since then I’ve been very leery of cheap-ass spring compressors.

If you think about it, you’ve got 500 to 1,000 pounds of force stored up in that compressed spring.  If you figure that the compressor itself weighs about three pounds, that’s a hell of a power-to-weight ratio.  It’s gonna be a rocket.

Seriously, I think the model Rick’s recommending should be your bare minimum quality tool for the job.  I prefer wall-mount types whenever possible for strut-type removal.  If they’re on the car, you’re best off with a high-quality version of the center type.  You might also consider renting a nice one.

[JG20]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/03/this-is-what-happens-when-a-coil-spring-compressor-fails/

That was a pretty stupid thing to do in the video.  The guy was yanking at the spring while it was compressed.  I've never had any issues using spring compressors.  Just gotta be careful and tighten both sides as simultaneously as possible.

[wing]

Yeah I borrowed some to do my S2000.  Just put it on each side and used the impact a little bit at a time on each side.  No issues.

[quadzilla]

Switched from winters -> summers.

Went for a quick spin and now have more traction which is nice. At the same time a firmer ride and sharper handling.

[dr_spock]

Reset the annoying dash light. 

[ChaosphereIX]

Saab still wont start. Think it might be the starter, and I hope that is the last thing I need to fix on it for some time...

Francesca, the Alfa, has had a hiccup this morning, think my AFM and lambda sensor are going. Ordered new ones from the UK. At least those are easy to diagnose and fix. May never get to putting in my new camshafts if I keep having to fix things...

Oh well, FIC ownership has its ups and downs, but the drive to work this morning was spirited at least!

[dr_spock]

Had a flat tire repaired. 

[tpl]

removed the tire inflator from the trunk ( winters were not runflats)  and removed the snow brush from the car. 
Next week a thorough wash and maybe even a wax. I might even put the snow shovel away to celebrate May Day in a week or so.

[Arthur Dent]

Removed the bumpers. Looks like I can convert to the older style bumper without at the rear easily.

[ArticSteve]

Removed the bumpers. Looks like I can convert to the older style bumper without at the rear easily.

That's nice.  What's the story on the front?

[Arthur Dent]

hmmm that was supposed to rear bumper t-its. Technical term 

The front I'll need to buy the smaller covers or live with the big ones.

[Firm]

I actually kinda dig the big ones....

[ipolski]

Swapped wheels for summers (technically 4 seasons) on MDX. I have them stored on the rack hanging from garage ceiling, they are heavy as [beeeep], I have to find a better place for storage, preferably on a ground level 

[HeliDriver]

Finally got around to doing that oil change I've been putting off. 9,250 kms on the old oil, which is more than the 7,500 km interval I've been doing, but still less than the VW-mandated 15,000 kms so I'm not losing sleep over it. Will try to do better next time.

And I think I fixed that fuel line rattle that has been bugging me all winter. It's an easy fix (just remove a plastic panel under the car and stuff some foam into a gap), but I didn't feel like doing it in the cold and snow in my driveway. Car was silent after the fix, so hopefully I got it.

And I finally got the new summer tires on (Continental ExtremeContact DW). Some quick first impressions for quad: smooth and quiet with a good ride, but soft turn-in and vague feel. On an on-ramp I know well, the tires needed a bunch of little corrections and never really let me know what they were doing. On that same ramp, my old Bridgestone Potenza RE760s were rock solid: just turn the wheel and leave it there, and the car kept a perfect line. Of course, the Contis are brand new, and I'm remembering the Potenzas from last fall with only 2/32" tread...

[aquadorhj]

So you are saying your old potenzas were basically slicks 

[HeliDriver]

So you are saying your old potenzas were basically slicks 

Yes, and they were awesome! Not so much in the rain, though.