PYU940F Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Hi Guys When the weather warms up I need to do the upper wishbone bushes. (last year's MOT advisory). I wanted to buy the compressor from the guy in Germany but he has run out/stopped making them. I do not want to cough up £165 for the item from Moss, so is there a kind fellow in the London/SE who will lend me theirs? If so, I will come and pick up (and drop it back) and bring a nice bottle of wine from my cellar. Also advise please. Had mixed reports as to whether put the old rubber bushes in or Poly. Apparently, the poly bushes make the ride hard and noisy???? Cheers Simon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Hi Simon, I don;t have the ST compressor but I have a very adequate home made tool 12mm studding etc. It has done many spring squishings. Fit the blue Superpro bushes or equivalent - the increase in hardness in ride is not measurable but the feel or going in the right direction is very reassuring. I'm near Heathrow Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Rimmer Bros are doing them for £60 inc VAT in their current sale GAC5076P https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GAC5076P Discount code UK0318D Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Efuentes Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 I did mine with a 14 mm hardened steel threaded rod, 6 nuts, 4 wide washers plus 2 pairs of growing size washers and a thick aluminum plate that I drilled to fit on the spring pan. If you go this route, make sure the whole in the plate through which the rod goes is quite larger than the diameter of the rod, so as to be able to swing the spring pan to align the bolt holes with the suspension arm, which is a bit tricky. It worked like a wonder. To be fair, I manufactured the tool more for the fun and pride of it, as, while the material costs were minimal (20 EUR), the time I devoted was probably worth much more than the cost of having bought it from Moss. Unfortunately, I am not in London... Regarding rubber vs poly, I think the key driver is precision and durability (rubber gives a less precise swing movement but, above all, is less durable, at least the modern bushings they now sell), as the ride... well, I wish that the only factor making our TR4s ride harsh were the bushings... These cars tend to be harsh Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Efuentes Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 I have just seen the picture I posted. Two comments: (i) the rest of the washers (6 in pairs of 2, growing sizes) are hidden under the aluminum plate, and (ii) before anyone jumps in, the gray area in the lower part of the thread is not the threads being worn, it is just an optical effect, threads are perfect, as the rod is hardened high carbon steel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Priest Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Hi Simon, I'm not exactly close, however you're welcome to borrow mine if you're passing near Cambridge. I have this Moss one: https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/spring-compressor-tr-386-895.html (currently £57 but out of stock). Cheers, Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Hi Simon, it's me, the german guy, why didn't you ask me? I made some of them realy "fresh", they are still warm and better than the Moss' items I send you a PM. Ciao Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malbaby Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 I made my own compressor similar to "Efuentes", all you require is a length of quality threaded rod etc....cheap as. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR4A1965 Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Hi Simon. I made a spring compressor out of some threaded bar and an old gate hinge:-) You can see it in action here: Best Paul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parry Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 I bought the Rimmer one already noted above last week and used over the weekend and it worked well to remove springs, and it arrived pretty quickly after I ordered. I do have the body off at the moment which maybe made it a little simpler, but tool was good. If you don't want to buy one I'm in Tunbridge Wells so not far. I'll be putting the springs back in a few weeks but it will be available after that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PYU940F Posted February 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 Thank you all for your help and advise. For some reason I thought the tool to be more complicated than it is. With so much information I will make my own and I will be using the blue super pro bushes. Cheers Simon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim T Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 Made this for about a tenner - just had to cut the12mm threaded bar to length. 12mm did bend a little so when I do it next time will probably go for 15mm. The ball is from local agricultural supplies, about £4. It is the ball joint from the lifting links on the rear of a tractor, available in different diameters and sits perfectly in the hole of the spring plate. Don't think that it will bend or break! Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 If anyone contemplates making his own spring compressor then it's HIGHLY IMPORTANT that you use High Tensile steel components. Mild steel can strip under pressure with serious results. Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 Hi Simon, that's great if you can help yourself, making parts and own tool is part of your hobby. Don't hesitate to send me a PM if you have any question. Cheers Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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