Best Coil Spring Compressors in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update November 4, 2021
Coil spring compressors make it possible to fix problems related to car suspension. The best coil spring compressors are tough and reliable tools that do not slip under any circumstances. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2021
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Type
Package Contents
Material
Maximum Jaw Opening
Warranty
 
PROS

The wrap-round claws feature a polished chrome finish, making the tools practically immune to rust and corrosion. Jaw design like that makes these compressors suitable for use in confined areas.

CONS

The screws can bend with time. 

OUR VERDICT

Draper 68615 are relatively versatile. But, first and foremost, these coil spring compressors have been designed for sports cars with low ground clearance and short tight springs. The maximum jaw opening is 220 millimetres, making these compressors particularly easy to install.

detailed parameters
Type

Coil spring compressor 

Package Contents

2 clamps and 2 screws

Material

Hardened carbon steel

Maximum Jaw Opening

220 mm

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The drop-forged steel hooks are able to handle any load, meaning that you'll be able to work with the stiffest, tightest, longest springs. They will let you compress just about any spring to half its original size.

CONS

The nuts can be a little larger than advertised. 

OUR VERDICT

Toolzone AU218 instil confidence. The compressors are sturdy, rugged, and reliable. These tools will provide the peace of mind necessary for the road ahead. Plus, you can use them to repair and protect shocks and struts too.

detailed parameters
Type

Coil spring compressor

Package Contents

2 clamps and 2 screws

Material

Hardened carbon steel

Maximum Jaw Opening

230 mm

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The wrap-over coil claws provide additional safety. The increased size prevents any spring movement. It also makes the compressors particularly good for cars with limited space under the wheel arch. 

CONS

The tool is susceptible to corrosion. 

OUR VERDICT

Sealey AK3841 will work for small-time and professional mechanics alike. Just make sure you tighten these tools gradually (a few turns at a time) and they will be able to last. The sturdy metal will be able to absorb any punishment. 

detailed parameters
Type

Coil spring compressor

Package Contents

2 clamps and 2 screws

Material

Hardened carbon steel

Maximum Jaw Opening

244 mm

Warranty

5 years

PROS

The thread is quite coarse and has some play but, at the same time, the jaws are able to hold the spring tight and block any movement. The paintwork will let you store these tools in humid environments. 

CONS

The compressors will prove too large for cars with smaller wheel arches.

OUR VERDICT

The double hooks for hooking over the spring give you much more safety compared to the usual single-hook design. With two hooks on the spring top and bottom, the slipping chances are practically reduced to zero. The sizable jaw opening makes the tools perfect for SUVs and light trucks. 

detailed parameters
Type

Coil spring compressor

Package Contents

2 clamps and 2 screws

Material

Hardened carbon steel

Maximum Jaw Opening

370 mm

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The claws have a really good grip. The bolts are solid and work well with most compressed drives, making it equally easy to fit and remove these tools. 

CONS

The claws can sometimes leave marks on the coil. 

OUR VERDICT

Hilka 12700055 coil spring compressors are affordable, reliable, and relatively universal. You'll be able to use them for controlled coil spring compression prior to the removal or replacement of just about any passenger car's shock absorbers.

detailed parameters
Type

Coil spring compressor

Package Contents

2 clamps and 2 screws

Material

Hardened carbon steel

Maximum Jaw Opening

240 mm

Warranty

1 year

X

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Draper 68615

Low Ground Clearance Compressors

Draper 68615 coil spring compressors are fantastic at what they do. As it is usually the case, the tools come as a set of 2, meaning that you will have everything required to compress a spring. The threads here are as strong and robust as they come.

You'll be able to change all 4 suspension struts on your average car with no struggle at all. The compressors are reliable but, at the same time, easy to wind. You can wound them with a spanner or using any 1/2 drive ratchet. Provided you evenly tighten both compressors, there's very little chance they will start showing any tendency to slip in the long run.

The only negative thing that might happen to these compressors in the long run is that the edges on the screws might start deforming/bending with time. Other than that, we have no complaints here.

The wrap-round claws feature a polished chrome finish, making the tool practically immune to rust and corrosion. On top of that, the aforementioned jaw design makes these compressors suitable for use in confined areas.

All things considered, Draper 68615 are relatively versatile. But, first and foremost, these coil spring compressors have been designed for sports cars with low ground clearance and short tight springs. The maximum jaw opening is 220 millimetres, making these compressors particularly easy to install.

Review of Draper 68615 Coil Spring Compressors

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £27.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B0001KA0JU

 

Toolzone AU218

Heavy-Duty Compressor Tools

Toolzone AU218 are sturdy, rugged, and reliable. The heat-treated tempered steel foundation makes these tools more or less immune to deformation. At the same time, the drop-forged steel hooks are especially tough and durable. These things are able to handle any load, meaning that you'll be able to work with the stiffest, tightest, longest springs. The tools will let you compress just about any spring to half its original size.

As far as we're concerned, the only issue with these things is that the 230-millimetre sockets recommended by the company's description and packaging might prove too big. That's not always the issue but we would recommend going with 13/16 in that case. Apart from that, Toolzone AU218 are anything but impractical.

The compressors hold the spring nicely and do not move at all. They are not a quick solution. It might take you some time to install these things. However, we reckon that the safety and security that these compressors offer will outweigh any inconvenience on the installation part.

In other words, Toolzone AU218 instil confidence. These coil spring clamps will provide the peace of mind necessary for the road ahead. Plus, you can use them to repair and protect shocks and struts too.

Review of Toolzone AU218 Coil Spring Compressor
Last updated price £16.53
Stock In stock
ASIN B001LQOIZ0

 

Sealey AK3841

Will Absorb any Punishment

Despite the modest price tag, Sealey AK3841 are about as good overall as coil spring compressors come. As it is usually the case, the hardened carbon steel base makes the tools solid and rugged enough for daily use under just about any conditions. We can more or less extend the same sentiment towards the lead screws and cast jaws.

The only issue in the durability department is that the compressors do not incorporate a polished chrome finish or anything like that, making the tool somewhat susceptible to corrosion buildup in the long run.

Setting that aside, these compressors have no weak links. On the contrary, there are little details here that separate the product from its inferior competition within the same price range.

For example, we really like the wrap-over coil claws that are usually reserved for the more expensive price niche. A small detail but design like that provides additional safety and that is always a plus in our book. Plus, it makes the compressors suitable for use with cars where space under wheel arch is limited.

Bottom line, Sealey AK3841 will work for small-time and professional mechanics alike. Just make sure you tighten these tools gradually (a few turns at a time) and they will be able to last.

Review of Sealey AK3841 Coil Spring Compressor

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £28.21
Stock In stock
ASIN B00K1UJNES

 

KATSU Tools 450322A

Additional Safety

As far as we're concerned, there are no major issues with KATSU Tools 450322A coil spring compressors. The only thing we have against these tools is that they just won't work with cars that have smaller wheel arches.

But that's not really an issue with the specific product, just that the compressors aren't as versatile as they could be. Provided your car has enough room for these tools, we couldn't recommend the compressors highly enough.

As per usual, the package includes 2 screws and 2 clamps. All in all, the spring compressors' pair is ideal for repairing and replacing shock absorbers, struts, and springs.

These heat-treated tempered steel tools with drop forged steel hooks aren't just tough but as durable as they come. The quality paintwork makes them not just aesthetically pleasing but also virtually immune to corrosion. The thread is quite coarse and has some play but, at the same time, the jaws are able to hold the spring tight and prevent any movement.

Last but not least, the double hooks for hooking over the spring give you much more safety compared to the usual single-hook design. With two hooks on the spring top and bottom, the slipping chances are practically reduced to zero. So, as long as your car's wheel arch isn't too small, you can't go wrong with these coil spring compressors.

Review of KATSU Tools 450322A Car Coil Spring Compressor
Last updated price £14.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00KBQNPH8

 

Hilka 12700055

Universal Clamps and Screws

We really like the Hilka 12700055 coil spring compressors. At the same time, the product isn't without its flaws. The biggest issue we have with these compressors is that the claws will often leave marks on the coil. Other than that, the compressors will likely prove barely useful with larger cars.

But you can't really hold the latter against the product. With 240-millimetre maximum jaw opening, the tools were clearly designed with regular sedans, hatchbacks, and crossovers in mind.

They're relatively sturdy too, incorporating heat-treated tempered steel with drop forged steel hooks. Sure, the claws will sometimes leave marks. But that also means they have a really good grip. The bolts are solid and work well with most compressed drives, making it equally easy to fit and remove these tools. Having said that, we would still recommend oiling the threads first to make that initial hand tightening a little easier.

Apart from that, there isn't much to add here. As per usual, the package includes 2 clamps and 2 screws. The tools are covered by a 1-year warranty.

In short, Hilka 12700055 coil spring compressors are affordable, reliable, and relatively universal. You'll be able to use them for controlled coil spring compression prior to the removal or replacement of just about any passenger car's shock absorbers.

Review of Hilka 12700055 Coil Spring Compressor
Last updated price £17.38
Stock In stock
ASIN B008LL2ECW

 

What Is a Coil Spring Compressor?

A coil spring compressor is a relatively small but very handy tool for certain basic car repairs. More specifically, it is a fundamental tool for fixing problems related to car suspension. As you probably know, the tool's purpose is to extract the coil spring during the repair process.

Generally speaking, compressing strut coil springs is no easy task for an inexperienced car owner. It can actually prove a dangerous job if you're using a substandard compressor that's prone to slipping. It isn't just about your time but safety too.

That's exactly why we've decided to review these coil spring compressors. These tools are relatively cheap and will definitely prove useful sometime down the road. The first and most important thing to keep in mind is the maximum jaw opening. More often than not, these compressors will be somewhere between 220 and 250 millimetres in length. That's the perfect size for regular passenger cars. Anything above 350 millimetres will prove too large for your average sedan/hatchback/crossover but will be ideal for SUVs and light trucks.

Tyre pressure gauges and jump starters are always great to have at hand too. It is always better to be safe than sorry on the road.

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Publish Date: 2019-07-15 15:11:09