Pittsburgh 3980 User manual

STRUT SPRING COMPRESSOR
ASSEMBLY & OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally.
Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.
Distributed exclusively by Harbor Freight Tools®.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Copyright©1997 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any
artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written
consent of Harbor Freight Tools.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Revised Manual 08c

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SPECIFICATIONS
Length 12"
Maximum Spring Diameter 5/8”
Maximum Compressible Spring Length 10"
Maximum Strut Spring Outside Diameter 6”
SAVE THIS MANUAL
You will need this manual for the safety instructions , operating instructions, and parts list. Put it in a safe, dry
place for future reference. Keep your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside
front cover.
SAFETY WARNINGS & CAUTIONS
WARNING: When using electric tools, machines or equipment, basic safety precautions should always be
followed to reduce the risk of re, electric shock, and personal injury.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THIS TOOL
K1. EEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas invite injuries.
C2. ONSIDER WORK AREA CONDITIONS. Don’t use in damp, wet, or poorly lit locations. Don’t expose to
rain. Keep work area well lit.
K3. EEP CHILDREN AWAY. All children should be kept away from the work area. Don’t let them handle
machine.
S4. TORE IDLE EQUIPMENT. When not in use, tools should be locked up in a dry location to inhibit rust. If
possible, store in an area out of reach of children.
D5. ON’T FORCE THE MACHINE OR TOOL. It will do the job better and more safely at the rate for which it
was intended.
U6. SE THE RIGHT TOOL. Don’t force a small tool or attachment to do the work of a larger industrial tool.
Don’t use a tool for a purpose for which it was not intended.
D7. RESS 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.
U8. SE EYE AND EAR PROTECTION. Use a full face mask if the work you’re doing produces metal lings,
dust or wood chips. Goggles are acceptable in other situations. Wear a clean dust mask if the work
creates a lot of ne or coarse dust. When operating for extended periods of time, use approved ear
protection. Safety goggles and ear protectors are available from Harbor Freight Tools.
S9. ECURE WORK. Use clamps or a vise to hold the work if possible. It’s safer than using your hands and it
frees both hands to operate the tool.
DON’T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.10.
MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE.11. Keep tools sharp and clean for better and safer performance. Follow
instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and
grease.
STAY ALERT.12. Watch what you are doing, use common sense. Don’t operate any tool when you are tired.

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UNPACKING
All the parts shown below should be included. If any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight
Tools at: 1-800-444-3353.
CHECK DAMAGED PARTS.13. Before using any tool, any part that appears damaged should be carefully
checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended function. Check for alignment
of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and other conditions that may
affect its operation. Any part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by an authorized
service center unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in the instruction manual.
REPLACEMENT14. 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.
DO15. NOT OPERATE TOOL IF UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. Read warning
labels on prescriptions to determine if your judgment or reexes are impaired while taking drugs. If there
is any doubt, do not operate machine.
USE FOR INTENDED PURPOSE ONLY.16. To prevent serious injury and/or property damage, only
use this product to compress strut springs.

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ASSEMBLY
Assembly Steps are included under OPERATION because you assemble the Strut Spring Compressor as you
use the tool.
OPERATION
Installing the Strut Spring Compressors
For the purposes of this manual, it is assumed you will be removing a strut spring from a MacPherson Strut
Assembly which has been removed from the vehicle.
WARNING: To prevent serious injury and/or property damage, only use this product to compress strut
springs.
Step 1: Place the Strut Assembly down on a workbench or other solid work surface.
Step 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 t 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.
Step 3: Adjust the NUT (#4) to give you the ability to move the PULLER HOOK (#1) along the SUPPORT
BAR (#3) as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 -- Adjusting the Puller Hook

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Step 4: Place the Hooks of the 2-JAW PULLER HOOK (#2) around the strut spring at the spot you identied
in Step 2 as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 -- Proper Hook Placement
Step 5: Adjust the PULLER HOOK to t 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 3.
Figure 3 -- Proper Hook Placement
Step 6: Tighten the NUT until it contacts the PULLER HOOK.
Step 7: Remove the Wing Nuts from two of the SAFETY HOOK (#6).
Puller Hook (1)
Strut Spring
2 Jaw Puller Hook (2)
2 Jaw Puller Hook (2)

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Step 8: Place one safety hook (6) on each side of the Puller Hook (1) and around each strut spring as shown
in Figure 4.
Step 9: Place the SQUARE WASHER (5) over the two threaded ends of each SAFETY HOOK (6). The
SQUARE WASHERS (5) should hold the two SAFETY HOOKS (5) together next to the PULLER
HOOK (1).
Step 10: Thread on the WING NUT (4) for each SAFETY HOOK (6) then tighten the SQUARE WASHER (5)
against the PULLER HOOK as shown in Figure 4. The WING NUTS (4) should be nger tight.
Step 11: Repeat Steps 2 through 10 with the second Strut Spring Compressor Assembly.
Figure 4 -- Safety Hook Positioning
WARNING
Always use both Strut Spring Compressors.
2 Jaw Puller Hook (2)
2 Jaw Puller Hook (2)
Puller Hook (1)
Support Bar (3)
Wing Nut (4)
Square Washer (5)
Safety Hook (6)

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Removing The Strut Springs
Step 1: You can use a 15/16" socket, end wrench, or appropriate impact wrench and socket to tighten the
NUTS (4) to compress the coil spring.
Step 2: Check the SAFETY HOOKS (6) to ensure they are installed correctly.
Step 3: Rotate the Strut Assembly so you can easily access the NUT on each Strut Spring Compressor.
Step 4: Begin to tighten the NUT on one Strut Spring Compressor as shown in Figure 5. Tighten the NUT (4)
about one inch, then tighten the NUT of the other Strut Spring Compressor an equal amount.
Figure 5 -- Tighten the Nuts Evenly
Step 5: If you are using an impact wrench to compress the Strut spring, use caution and only tighten the NUT
(4) a small amount each time. Switch to the opposite NUT (4) often to compress the strut spring
evenly.
Step 6: As you tighten the NUT (4) 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
You MUST tighten the NUTS
EVENLY. Do not tighten one Strut
Spring Compressor all at once.
Nut (4)

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PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM
Item# Description Qty Item# Description Qty
1 Puller Hook 2 4 Nut 4
2 2-Jaw Puller Hook 2 5 Square Washer 2
3 Support Bar 26Safety Hook 4
Step 7: 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.
Step 8: Do not store a compressed coil spring for ANY length of time, even if you are immediately replacing
the Strut. Loosen the NUTS on the Coil Spring Compressors EVENLY to reduce pressure.
MAINTENANCE
Before each use, inspect the SAFETY HOOKS, SQUARE WASHERS, and the PULLER HOOKS on the Strut
Spring Compressors. Do not use if you nd any cracks or other damage.
NOTE: Keep thread clean and lubricated at all time.
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