I am attempting to change the Lower control arms and don't have a spring compressor. There is the ford coil spring compressor from OTC for about $200 or one from OEMTools 20735 for about $50. Has anyone used the $50 one and does it work? Can I just remove the shock and lower the control arm. Any ideas welcome.

Thanks,
J

 

I would look at autozone or other tool rental program, if you're only going to use it once.

Be careful though. If the device isn't properly secured and that coil is loosened prematurely, it can kill.

 

+1 ^^^^

Rent tools like that, they will be the good ones

 

take a chain and secure the spring and use a jack to lower the control arm keep face and hands out of the way till it relaxes, that is how I did mine

 

Normally I'm not an advocate for special tools, but i'd only recommend using a spring compressor. With the force that coils can give, why chance it?

 

Just bought a 1999 single long bed ford ranger. Could really use some advice on doing a 3in suspension lift. Thanks in advance.

 

LOWERING IT WITH A JACK UNDER THE LOWER BALL JOINT WORKS FINE BUT LOWER SLOWLY