Harbor Freight Tools MacPherson Strut Spring Compressor Set Product manual

Specifications

Maximum Spring Diameter 5/8″
Maximum Compressible Spring Length 10″
Maximum Strut Spring Outside Diameter 6″

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

1. Use as a pair only. Tighten and release evenly and
slowly. Only use hand tools to tighten/release.

2. Secure spring in place with pins before use.

3. Keep work area clean. Cluttered areas invite injuries.

4. Consider work area conditions. Don’t use
in damp, wet, or poorly lit locations. Don’t
expose to rain. Keep work area well lit.

5. This product is not a toy. Do not allow
children to play with or near this item.

6. Store idle equipment. When not in use, tools should
be locked up in a dry location to inhibit rust.

7. Don’t force the machine or tool. It will
do the job better and more safely at the
rate for which it was intended.

8. Use as intended only.

9. Dress properly. Don’t wear loose clothing or
jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts.
Protective gloves and non-skid footwear are
recommended when working. Wear restrictive
hair covering to contain long hair, preventing
it from getting caught in machinery.

10. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and heavy­duty work gloves during setup and use.

11. Don’t overreach. Keep proper footing
and balance at all times.

12. Maintain tools with care. Keep tools clean for
better and safer performance. Follow instructions
for lubricating and changing accessories. Keep
handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.

13. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, use common
sense. Don’t operate any tool when you are tired.

14. Inspect before every use; do not use
if parts are loose or damaged.

15. Replacement parts and accessories. When servicing,
use only identical replacement parts. Only use
accessories intended for use with this tool. Approved
accessories are available from harbor freight tools.

16. Do not use when tired or when under the
influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.

17. Maintain product labels and nameplates.
These carry important safety information.
If unreadable or missing, contact
Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Page 3For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 61654

Operation

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this
manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.

Setup

For the purposes of this manual, it is assumed you will be removing a strut spring from a
MacPherson-style strut assembly which has been removed from the vehicle.

1. Place the Strut Assembly down on a
workbench or other solid work surface.

2. Examine the strut spring inside the Strut Assembly.
You will need to identify areas at each end of
the strut spring to attach the Puller Hooks of the
Strut Spring Compressor. There needs to be
enough space between the coils for the Puller
Hooks to fit between and still allow you enough
compression to collapse the spring enough for
safe removal. Ideally you will place the Puller
Hooks towards the outer ends of the coil spring.

3. Adjust the Support Bar Nut (9) to move the
Double Puller Hook (2) to the end of the
Support Bar (3), as shown in Figure A.

Support Bar

Nut (9)

Puller

Hook (1)

Double Puller

Hook (2)

Figure A: Adjusting the Puller Hook

4. Place the Double Puller Hooks (2) around
the strut spring at the spot you identified
in Step 2, as shown in Figure B.

Double Puller

Hook (2)

5. Adjust the Puller Hook to fit around the strut spring at
the end opposite from Step 4. Make sure the Strut
Spring Compressor is parallel (straight up and down)
with the Strut Assembly, as shown in Figure C.

Puller

Hook (1)

strut

spring

Double Puller

Hook (2)

Figure C: Compressor-Spring Alignment

6. Tighten the Support Bar Nut (9) until
it contacts the Puller Hook (1).

7. Remove the Wing Nuts (4) from
two of the Safety Hooks (6).

Figure B: Proper Hook Placement

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8. Place one Safety Hook (6) on each side of the
Puller Hook (1) and around each strut spring,
as shown in Figure D.

9. Place the Bracket (5) over the two
threaded ends of two Safety Hooks (6).
The Brackets (5) should hold the two
Safety Hooks (6) together next to the Puller Hook (1).

10. Thread one Wing Nut (4) onto each Safety
Hook (6) then tighten the Bracket (5) against
the Puller Hook as shown in Figure D.
The Wing Nuts (4) should be finger tight.

Puller

Hook (1)

Bracket (5)

Double

Puller

Hook (2)

11. Repeat Steps 2 through 10 with the second
Strut Spring Compressor Assembly.

WARNING! Always use both Strut Spring
Compressors on the same spring,
at the same time.

Removing The Strut Springs

1. Check the Safety Hooks (6) to ensure
they are installed correctly.

2. Rotate the Strut Assembly so you can
easily access the Support Bar Nut (9)
on each Strut Spring Compressor.

3. Begin to tighten the Support Bar Nut (9) on one
Strut Spring Compressor as shown in Figure E.
Tighten the Support Bar Nut (9) about one inch,
then tighten the Support Bar Nut (9) of the other
Strut Spring Compressor an equal amount.

Support

Bar Nut (9)

Safety

Hook (6)

Support

Bar (3)Wing Nut (4)

Figure D: Safety Hook Positioning

4. As you tighten the Support Bar Nut (3) on each
Strut Spring Compressor, you will be compressing
the strut spring. When you compress the strut
spring enough to allow free play of the coil spring
on the Strut Assembly, you may remove the Strut
Bearing Nut at the top of the Strut Assembly
and remove the Strut Bearing and Top Hat.
You can now remove the compressed strut spring.

WARNING! To reduce the pressure on
the spring and maintain better stability,
only tighten as much as is necessary.

5. If you have tightened the Coil Spring Compressors
as far as possible and there is no free play of the coil
spring on the Strut Assembly, DO NOT REMOVE
the Strut Bearing Nut. Remove the Coil Spring
Compressors evenly and place the Puller Hooks
further apart on the coil spring in order to compress
more of the coil spring. Repeat Steps 2 through 6.

Double

Puller

Hook (2)

Support

Bar Nut (9)

Figure E: Tighten the Nuts Evenly

WARNING! To prevent serious injury or DEATH from
the spring suddenly launching free:
Tighten the NUTS EVENLY. Do not tighten
one Strut Spring Compressor all at once.

6. Do not store a compressed coil spring for ANY length
of time, even if you are immediately replacing the
Strut. Loosen the Support Bar Nuts (9) on the Coil
Spring Compressors EVENLY to reduce pressure.

Page 5For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 61654

Maintenance

Procedures not specifically explained in this manual must
be performed only by a qualified technician.

TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM TOOL FAILURE:
Do not use damaged equipment. If abnormal noise or vibration
occurs, have the problem corrected before further use.

Cleaning, Maintenance, and Lubrication

Before and after each use, inspect the Safety Hooks, Brackets, and the Puller Hooks on the
Strut Spring Compressors. Do not use if you find any cracks or other damage.

NOTE: Keep thread clean and lubricated at all times.

Page 6 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 61654

Parts List And Assembly Diagram

Part Description Qty

1 Single Puller Hook 2
2 Double Puller Hook 2
3 Support Bar 2
4 Wing Nut 4
5 Bracket 2

2

5

8

Part Description Qty

6 Safety Hook 4
7 Washer 4
8 Nut (hidden inside part 2) 4
9 Support Bar Nut 2

3

6

4

3

1 1

Record Product’s Serial Number Here:

Note: If product has no serial number, record

month and year of purchase instead.

Note: Some parts are listed and shown for
illustration purposes only, and are not available
individually as replacement parts.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY

6

7

THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM
IN THIS DOCUMENT AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR
MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS
QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE
ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY
STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND
LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY
ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS
THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.

Page 7For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 61654

Limited 90 Day Warranty

Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards,
and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the
period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly,
to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper
installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries
to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of
our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges
prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise.
If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may
elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will
return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted
from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • [phone]