Hello Jf ,
With the help of Brutal,

I am in the process of doing some front end suspension work ( bushing shocks etc.)

I am being told I could fabricate a tool from my local hardware shop.
Now I found this photo while surfing the web on looking on how to construct such a device ..

I hope I can use this as a template of some sort because when I go to the hardware shop I am just gonna to show them this picture and ask them to help me piece this tool together...


For the experience techs on here ..what do I need to do to this piece here to make it work for my Xjr.?
the dimensions look right but I cant take that to the bank

I am thinking just to add a hole on the top end and put a roll pin in it and eliminate one of the steel plates right?


again Thx JF!

 

Do you not have an Autozone nearby? They have a free tool rental service and will loan you a real spring compressor. A malfunction from a homemade tool could have deadly consequences. Seriously, get the right tool.

 

I am told you cant use those (autozone)but to use Jaguar specialty tool.
unless there is more than one way of doing it.??

 

I havde tried both spring tools from AutoZone and neither oine was of any use for Jaguar front springs. I bought an internal spring compressor from tooltopia.com for about $275.00 as I recall and it worked fine, although it was a little scary. I work on large equipment and mechanical things don't usually scare me, but there is a tremendous potential energy in a compressed front XJ8 spring that can be released all at once if something breaks. By the nature of a spring compressor, your hands and face are right where that energy can go. My point is, there is no guarantee the store bought tool will be safer than one you build, but make sure you are not overstressing either one or something bad could happen.

 

AutoZone doesn’t have the "in-spring" compression tools, one outer once, and they will not fit on the Jag springs. I've tried. Had somebody else do my front end bushings, and the guy had to fabricate a tool to get the springs compressed. Pretty much the same design. I haven't seen places to rent the "Jag certified" tool , but you can buy it at ~$275.......

 

Ahh, you beat me to it spark....

 

Hey, that's what I said! At least we have our lies coordinated.

 

could i secure it with a external tool? you know just in case my engineering is off if i decided to use the make shift?

 

Jimmy, even if the tool for some reason would fail, the allthread or jag tool having the same thing uppthrough the middle of the spring makes it much safer since the all thread would have to pretty much completely drop out to let the spring come out

 

brutal is that tool exact? or should i do way with that middle piece?like i stated in the picture.im off to lowes i hope they can help.

 

I dont see the purpose of the middle. Get a long piece of all thread as you can always cut it shorter but it takes awelder to lengthen it
It also may be easier and better to get washers that fit. Thick, or stacked, look at the bottom of the spring seat and measure to get large washers to fit. The bar would require a drillled hole, so either way

 

These pics are of the bits I made and used when i changed my front bearings and all the bushes, worked fine, used a jack under the spring as well when releasing the pressure just in case
Second pic shows the threadbar compressor in use after just removing the bearing carrier/hub.

 

Your set looks like it could be trusted ... the other one ... not so much.

 

Ok Im kinda lost here do we compress up or down with this tool?

 

with the nut, and you really are not looking to compress the spring so much as to just hold it in place when you unbolt the spring plate and arms. So once it seats its only a couple wrench turns after that. Be prepared to wiggle and have a good punch tool to align and fenagle the arms into alignment to put the bolts back in. Stazrt all the spring pan bolts in the pan first before you tighten anything else. Then tighten them all and then you can work to a arm bushings back into the frame and insert the bolts

 

so basically the steel bar just releases the pressure from the coilover that is resting on arm plate okay..sorry for being so cautious but im scared to have my face and hands blown off

thx Brutal ill start construction this week.. would I be able to find everything in Lowes or home depot?

thx JF ill post pic of the construction

 

when you slip the bar end with the roll pin up into the top center of the spring plate(upper) it goes in the elongated hole and the you turn it 90* to it seats down into a pocket to hold the 1/4" roll pin. Then tighten the bottom nut and washer orplate up to the bottom of the spring seat and tighten a few turns to take the tension off the a arms to unbolt. I would try Home depot since I used allthread to built my Pergola in the back yard last year and Lowes didnt carray all thread that big.

 

just like this,right.

 

Yes jimmy, in goes up through the bottom plate, up through the spring into the top and then turn the roll pin parrallel to the frame and seat it. When seated it will not turn.

 

I am fascinated with these posts on creating a spring compression tool. I see a reference to the inserted roll pin being 1/4 inch in diameter. Will someone please tell me the proper diameter for the threaded rod? Someone suggested going to Home Depot for the rod because Lowes doesn't stock one with a big enough diameter. How big is 'big enough'?

Thanks