E46 Fanatics Forum banner
Cancel
8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set

8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set

Be the first to review this product
$120 USD on Amazon
Professional Multi Use MacPherson Interchangeable Fork Spring Compressor Set Compresses all types of MacPherson style coil springs front and rear. Includes three sets of jaws: 2 each of, 65-125mm, 88-160mm and 126-212mm The coil spring compressors are manufactured under very strict quality control and are approved to endure extremely high loads. SGS Test Report: The Max Force 4487 KG. No impact wrench! Hand ratchet only.

Forum Discussions about this Product

1 - 8 of 8 Posts
  1. ///Mark_D

    The Road to 300,000 Miles

    9 10 11
    201
    22K
     by ///Mark_D
    1. ///Mark_D

      · Registered
      '04 325i, '02 325iT
      Joined
      ·
      1,909 Posts
      Discussion Starter · #132 ·
      I took last friday off from work to do the suspension refresh on this car. Not too bad of a job other than the control arm ball joint nuts that go through the sub frame. There is no access to fit a socket on the nut due to the close proximity to the engine mounts. So it was 1/6 of a turn at a time with an open ended wrench. The nuts were pretty rusty after 364,000 miles so it was a great forearm workout. Going back together was considerably easier with the new parts that weren't all crusty.

      I got to use my new spring compressor for the second time and remembered just how much I love using it. Can't recommend this type enough.
      www.amazon.com

      Amazon.com: 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set : Automotive

      Buy 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set: Suspension Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
      www.amazon.com

      Only thing left to do is replace the spark plugs, I just ran out of time. I also ordered two new tires for the front. Both had some uneven wear from running them too long with the loose ball joints and blown struts.

      Out with the old and in with the new!





       
  2. E46 KDT

    Front strut help?

    11 12 13
    245
    18K
     by E46 KDT
    2. E46 KDT

      · Registered
      2001 318ci M43 152k manual swapped
      Joined
      ·
      509 Posts
      Discussion Starter · #50 ·
      Galapolis said:
      Exactly, when I did mine back in September I used this tool and it was very easy: https://www.amazon.com/8MILELAKE-Macpherson-Spring-Compressor-Interchangeable/dp/B01DP2CDJU/ref=sr_1_6?crid=32X2FULRBMY09&dchild=1&keywords=spring+compressor&qid=1609698142&sprefix=spring+co,aps,172&sr=8-6
      Click to expand...
      That’s the very one that I’m going to buy. That YouTube guy “highly” recommended to use them. I was going to buy them but shipping was long. So I bought the other type as I had used the cheaper type on my b4s but the b4s had a longer shaft.
      These Sachs struts are shorter hence why I can’t use the cheaper tool.
       
  3. N

    Strut assembly

    12
    488
     by mrkprsn
    1. ///Mark_D

      · Registered
      '04 325i, '02 325iT
      Joined
      ·
      1,909 Posts
      #12 ·
      Nmt28 said:
      Yeah I'm starting to think the right tool for the job might be Gary my mechanic...
      Click to expand...
      This is the spring compressor I use, it's much better than some of the other designs that are out there.

      www.amazon.com

      Amazon.com: 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set : Automotive

      Buy 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set: Suspension Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
      www.amazon.com

      EDIT: and I just saw that the price has gone down considerably since I bought mine... I think I paid over $250
       
  4. landonh12

    Landonh12's 2002 325i Touring 5-Speed

    12 13 14
    278
    16K
     by PlaneLaw
    1. ///Mark_D

      · Registered
      '04 325i, '02 325iT
      Joined
      ·
      1,909 Posts
      #86 · (Edited)
      vtwagon said:
      If you want to do a little research, you can use e90 (I believe) strut mounts to get the front end of the car to come down a tad and even up the wheel gaps. I haven’t used them myself, but have heard of others using them. Sreten from m539 restorations on YouTube mentions it during his suspension refresh.
      Do you have your own spring / strut compressor? It might also be worth getting new springs rather than pay a shop again to disassemble / reassemble the struts when it comes time for new springs.
      I would also consider throwing new pinch bolts on your list for good measure.
      Your car is gonna drive great! Greater? Haha
      Click to expand...
      +1 on the pinch bolts.

      Here's the spring compressor I use, and it's similar to the one Sreten uses on M539 restorations. I've used all kinds of other ones and this is by far the best I've encountered.

      www.amazon.com

      Amazon.com: 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set : Automotive

      Buy 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set: Suspension Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
      www.amazon.com

      EDIT:
      That's a good point on the E90 strut mounts also. If they're not as tall as the stock E46 mounts that should help counteract the ride height increase from the reinforcement plates and what you'd otherwise see from the normal e46 parts.

      I've also heard the genuine BMW E46 mounts are slightly shorter than the lemforder crossover parts, but have no idea if that's true. I always thought lemforder was the OE supplier, but way back when someone told me that wasn't the case.
       
    2. ///Mark_D

      · Registered
      '04 325i, '02 325iT
      Joined
      ·
      1,909 Posts
      #109 ·
      I've posted this spring compressor before and I can't stress enough how much easier it is to use than the other types. I've got the two-hook style spring compressors, and clamshell style compressor, and I've had the same struggles as you with those. This is the only one I'll be using going forward.

      www.amazon.com

      Amazon.com: 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set : Automotive

      Buy 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set: Suspension Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
      www.amazon.com

      It took me about 15 minutes per side to disassemble the old struts and put the new ones back together, and that was with cleaning some of the parts that I reused. It's basically the same type of compressor that BMW shows to use in TIS.

      With the other types of compressors the hardest part is getting the spring compressed far enough to get the new strut reinstalled. I never seemed to be able to get spring short enough to get the new strut far enough in to get the nut started on the threads. So I'd have to try and push down by hand slightly on the spring and compress more to start the nut. Really sketchy and it always felt unsafe.

      Not with this one. I was able to compress the spring fully and have plenty of threads extending past and could get the top nut fully seated.
       
  5. Bastognekoek

    Advice on complete shock and spring replacement/upgrade

    2
    30
    3K
     by Bastognekoek
    1. ///Mark_D

      · Registered
      '04 325i, '02 325iT
      Joined
      ·
      1,909 Posts
      #3 ·
      The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to get a good spring compressor for the front struts. It will make the process actually enjoyable vs frustrating, and you'll be much safer.

      I have this set, and I'll never go back to anything else.
      www.amazon.com

      Amazon.com: 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set : Automotive

      Buy 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set: Suspension Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
      www.amazon.com

      If you're looking for budget suspension the Sachs ZHP style shocks/struts offer a good ride and are a slight step up from the stock sport suspension. If you're looking for a step up from there I think people either go with Bilstein B4 or B6, but there are lots of options.

      EDIT: 4aceman beat me to the punch recommending the Sachs shocks. I also agree with the Z4 front strut mounts if you want to go with a front ride height that is at or slightly lower than the stock sport suspension setup. The regular/stock spec lemforder upper mounts are a bit taller than what came from the factory for whatever reason.

      For the struts, here are the Sachs PN's
      Front Left:
      SAC-317542

      Front right:
      SAC-317541

      Rear Left/Right:
      SAC-290816
       
    2. Bastognekoek

      · Premium Member
      2001 325ci
      Joined
      ·
      69 Posts
      Discussion Starter · #7 ·
      ///Mark_D said:
      The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to get a good spring compressor for the front struts. It will make the process actually enjoyable vs frustrating, and you'll be much safer.

      I have this set, and I'll never go back to anything else.
      www.amazon.com

      Amazon.com: 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set : Automotive

      Buy 8MILELAKE Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Kit Interchangeable Fork Coil Extractor Tool Set: Suspension Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
      www.amazon.com

      If you're looking for budget suspension the Sachs ZHP style shocks/struts offer a good ride and are a slight step up from the stock sport suspension. If you're looking for a step up from there I think people either go with Bilstein B4 or B6, but there are lots of options.

      EDIT: 4aceman beat me to the punch recommending the Sachs shocks. I also agree with the Z4 front strut mounts if you want to go with a front ride height that is at or slightly lower than the stock sport suspension setup. The regular/stock spec lemforder upper mounts are a bit taller than what came from the factory for whatever reason.

      For the struts, here are the Sachs PN's
      Front Left:
      SAC-317542

      Front right:
      SAC-317541

      Rear Left/Right:
      SAC-290816
      Click to expand...
      I'll probably just take them off and take them to the shop to replace the springs. So I won't be needing any spring compressor.
       
1 - 8 of 8 Posts

Forum Reviews

Be the first to review this product

Write a Review

Do you have experience with this item? Help our community members and share your knowledge.

Sign in to add review

E46 Fanatics Forum Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to BMW E46, E90, and F30 owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about M performance, turbo kits, engine swaps, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Show more
17.8M posts
578.3K members
Join Community Grow Your Business

Community Staff

View All
E
L
VpointVick
Top