I did a search and found many spring compressors for $50-$100, but they are the type with a rod in the center, wrong one. When I searched for a coil-over spring compressor I found a few, $400-$800. WTF.

Can I rent one of the ones needed to compress my Tein SS coils, I also have to either buy new Pillow ball mounts from Tein, or use my OEM ones.

How many have used the OEM top mounts?

How many have bought the Tein SS pillow ball top mounts? They look so much better, and it says they keep the tires planted to the road better.

Should I buy the Tein SS pillow tops?

 

As far as I know, the only spring compressors you can rent are the cheap ones you described. They're available at most of the chain auto parts stores.

Most people use their stock top hats; a few have bought a spare/second set of top hats.

I do not believe the pillow mounts are for the 3G TL.

 

You don't need spring compressors to install the coilovers. The springs are short and you can set the spring seats low when you're installing them so you don't need to compress them.

If you have an Autozone around you, they loan appropriate spring compressors.

 

If you buy new tophats from Honda you dont have to risk injury or death using that @&()%^ spring compressor to get the old shocks springs compressed a LOT and then remove the nut from the top of the strut shaft- air tool required at that point

It is seriously dangerous job to do- youtube it for examples!

100 bucks for 4 fresh ones was an easy choice- and keeps the OE setup ready for someone that needs it in an emergency, or you put the car back stock someday to sell

Follow the tein height setting instructions to the letter- will set it at good drop
If you want to lower the car after installed, thats easy- to raise it requires compressing the springs~

get an alignment once the car is corner height balanced

 

I am so lost at what is going on. If you have coilovers just set the ride height to where the spring is freely dangling around as mentioned. That will relieve the tension. Most coilovers like that. I havent had to use a compressor on any coilover system to maintain them.

 

OK thanks. I guess the Tein SS install will be easy, but the compressor would be for the OEM coilovers/top mounts to use on the Tein SS, I would rather just take the OEM coilovers out and set aside untouched. I just thought Tein SS top pillowball mounts were available according to my Tein book/catalog.

 

If the pillow ball mounts are available then you can order it for the tein ss. Usually the tein ss with pillowball has a different part number from the base tein ss. If you need a spring compressor to reuse the stock tophat then you can go to autozone and borrow. As I recall its around 50 or so and you get your money back after you return it. The spring compressor has 2 pieces. It looks like two claws on each that clamp down on the spring. Usually autoparts stores have 2 spring compressor tools. The other one looks like a fork and a rod which is what you dont need. I was doing a suspension job for a friends is250 for his tein ss and he bought the wrong spring compressor.