Tool usage

"whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU" (whiskey-business) 03/28/2015 at 15:27 • Filed to: None

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My beloved Focus is going under the knife and wrench tomorrow, and all is in order to do the necessary replacement of struts and shocks. However, the spring compressor I purchased in no uncertain terms says to only use it on McPherson type coil springs. However, the Focus has separate coil springs and shocks in the rear.

Will using a tool such as this one, (the one I bought) work safely and well on coil springs that are not part of a strut assembly? Or do I need another compressor specifically for the rear coils?

Have a purdy Z4 GT3 car for your time.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 03/28/2015 at 15:31

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Isn't the Focus rear suspension non-concentric, eg: the shock is NOT located inside the spring? And even if it were most that are have a removable plate that allows the shock to be replaced without dislocating the spring. As far as I can tell you shouldn't even NEED to compress the rear springs unless you plan to try to replace them without removing the axle carrier...

dogisbadob > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 03/28/2015 at 15:32

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Why not use quick struts for the front? :)

You don't need a compressor for the rear springs.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 03/28/2015 at 15:36

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This is correct. However, along with the new struts and shocks I am installing H&R sport springs.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > dogisbadob 03/28/2015 at 15:37

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Because they don't make quick struts with sport springs and Sach's dampers :P But if you don't need a compressor for the rear, than I won't worry any further about it. Thanks for the help!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 03/28/2015 at 15:41

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With the shocks disconnected, the control-arm will apparently droop enough to install and remove without a compressor.

dogisbadob > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 03/28/2015 at 15:49

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Are you getting the Sachs Advantage or just the regular super touring struts?

Just wondering because the advantage line interests me and you don't hear too much about them.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 03/28/2015 at 15:50

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Excellent. I appreciate your help a lot!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > dogisbadob 03/28/2015 at 15:52

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They are the Advantage line shocks and struts. They were the only ones the supplier I ordered from had for the wagon. And no, you really have to search for stuff like that. The place I got them, British American Transfer, Inc. does not even have an online catalog. Just a PDF to download and a number to call.

nafsucof > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 03/28/2015 at 15:59

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in the rear you just put a jack under the rear control arm and take out the lower outermost bolt voilà pull out the spring, rinse repeat. I'll be doing shocks but am staying with the factory springs which are a good height in my opinion for my style of driving. What shocks btw? I'm going with koni yellows. I will be tackling an lsd this year as well. FoST needs some traction...

VincentMalamute-Kim > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 03/28/2015 at 16:26

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I now know Focus rear springs can be replaced without compression. But for my own knowledge, does anyone still know the answer to Whisky's original question? Is there any reason you can't use MacPherson Strut compressors on non-MacP springs? I can't imagine you're going to kill yourself if you did, right?

We changed the rear springs on my buddies A8 and that spring had to be compressed to get it out. Our MacPherson spring compressors wouldn't fit due to various obstructions. He ended up buying the $125 Chinese version of the official $1200 Audi spring compressor. It looked kinda like this and it worked:

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > nafsucof 03/28/2015 at 16:49

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I have a Mk1 Wagon, which parts are less prevalent for, but I'm getting Sachs Super Gas Advantage shocks.

nafsucof > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 03/28/2015 at 17:12

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nice! I have an SVT and st currently and used to own a 2000 zx3 with SVT motor and trans/brakes swap I live mk1s. I wanted to swap an SVT drivetrain in a focus wagon so bad, love those cars. Have fun!!